Structure and dynamics of a Pampa plain, (Argentina) shallow lake over the last 600 years

Abstract

A multi-proxy analysis, including pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and plant macrofossil remains was performed to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental history of the Cabeza de Buey shallow lake (36°17′S, 61°10′W) over the last 600 years. We identified the main forcing factors behind changes in the structure and dynamics of the lake communities. Given the relatively low intensity of human activity during the early period of the lake history (prior to 1880 AD), changes in dominant communities were mainly controlled by climate. Afterwards, changes probably resulted from a combination of climate and human impacts that generated an accelerated eutrophication. Four periods in the lake’s evolution were recognized based on changes in macrophyte and algae communities’ structure. Between ca. 1320 and ca. 1630 AD a shift was evidenced from an oligotrophic brackish with low nutrient content (dominated by Botryococcus braunii) to a mesotrophic fresh water body (dominated by Pediastrum and Scenedesmus), due to an increase in the water level associated with an increase in precipitation. At ca. 1840 AD a transition towards a phase dominated by Myriophyllum spicatum was noted, induced by a low water level as a consequence of low precipitation. Later, at ca. 1880 AD, the current lake conditions were established, and the increase in nutrient and organic matter supply influenced plant community structure towards organic tolerant species of submerged macrophytes (Potamogeton pectinatus). Towards the beginning of the twenty-first century, the lake turned to a more eutrophic state, which is evidenced by the dominance of the phytoplankton community. The last hundred years of the lake history were characterized by the eutrophication process related to the impact of agriculture and cattle breeding implemented in the landscape as well as to the urban settlement. This study made it possible to infer changes in the structure and dynamics of Cabeza de Buey lake and to elucidate the forcing factors that induced these changes on a high-resolution scale.