Holocene Sedimentary Environments of the Goat Meadows Watershed, Southern Coast Mountains, British Columbia

This paper presents the results of an investigation of Holocene erosion and sedimentation in a small subalpine watershed in the southern Coast Mountains of British Columbia. The study involved determinations of the volume and mass of lake sediments accumulated during each of four time periods (10,510-6700 BP; 6700-6340 BP; 6340-2400 BP; and, 2400 BP to the present); analysis of physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the sediments and palaeoenvironmental interpretations of erosion and sedimentation rates, sediment sources and organic productivity. Indications are that the paraglacial period was complete by ca. 10,000 BP and that there followed a period of low sedimentation (10,000-6700 BP); higher sedimentation rates determined for the period 6700-6340 BP may reflect accelerated rates of erosion during the warmer/drier xerothermic interval. Rates declined again during the period 6340-2400 to be followed by higher rates in the most recent period (post 2400 BP). It is hypothesised that progressively cooler and wetter conditions have activated the older weathered slope materials. Analysis of slope sediments is consistent with this hypothesis.On présente ici les résultats d'une étude sur l'érosion et la sédimentation à l'Holocène dans un petit bassin versant subalpin du sud de la chaîne Côtière fondée sur les sédiments lacustres. L'étude portait sur la détermination du volume et de la masse de sédiments accumulés au cours de chacune des quatre périodes étudiées (10 510-6700 BP; 6700-6340 BP; 6340-2400 BP; 2400 BP à aujourd'hui), l'analyse des propriétés physiques, chimiques et minéralogiques des sédiments et l'interprétation des paléoenvironnements selon les taux d'érosion et de sédimentation, de la provenance des sédiments et de la productivité organique. Tout indique que la période paraglaciaire a pris fin vers 10 000 BP et qu'elle a été suivie d'une période caractérisée par une faible sédimentation (10 000-6700 BP). Les taux élevés de sédimentation obtenus pour la période de 6700 à 6340 BP reflètent peut-être l'existence de taux d'érosion accélérés au cours de l'intervalle xérothermique, plus chaud et plus sec. De 6300 à 2400 BP, les taux ont de nouveau diminué pour remonter de nouveau au cours de la période la plus récente (après 2400 BP). On formule l'hypothèse que des conditions climatiques progressivement plus froides et plus humides ont contribué à réactiver les matériaux déjà altérés sur les versants. L'analyse des sédiments sur les versants appuie cette hypothèse.In dieser Studie werden die Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung der Erosion und Sedimentierung im Holozàn in einem kleinen subalpinen Einzugsgebiet in den sùdlichen Kùstenbergen von British Columbia dargestellt. Die Studie umfasste die Bestimmung von Volumen und Masse der Seesedimente, die in jeder der vier untersuchten Zeitabschnitte abgelagert wurden (10,510-6700 v.u.Z., 6700-6340 v.u.Z., 6340-2400 v.u.Z. bis zur Gegenwart), die Analyse der physikalischen, chemischen und mineralogischen Eigenschaften der Sedimente und die Interpretation der PaIaoumgebungen aufgrund der Erosions- und Sedimentierungsrate, der Herkunft der Sedimente und organischen Produktivitàt. Ailes weist darauf hin, dass die paraglaziale Période um etwa 10.000 v.u.Z. beendet war und auf sie eine Période geringer Sedimentierung folgte (10.000-6700 v.u.Z.); stârkere Sedimentierungsraten, die fur die Période von 6700-6340 v.u.Z gefunden wurden, spiegeln wohl schnellere Erosionsraten wâhrend dem wàrmeren/trockeneren xerothermischen Intervall. Die Raten nahmen wieder wâhrend der Période 6340-2400 ab, um dann wieder in der jùngsten Période (nach 2400 v.u.Z.) zuzunehmen. Die Hypothèse wird formuliert, dass zunehmend kùhlere und feuchtere RIimatische Bedingungen das altère verwitterte Material auf den Abhângen aktiviert haben. Die Analyse der Sedimente an den Abhângen stùtzt dièse Hypothèse

International Benchmarking Review of UK Physical Geography

Physical geography in the UK is extraordinarily rich and diverse. It provides insights into processes and forms in the natural environment, including climate and atmosphere, geomorphology and landscape, biogeography and ecosystems, hydrology and water science, oceans and soils. The use, application and development of technologies, including Earth observation, GIS, and geochronological tools, are integral parts of contemporary physical geography. This report is the first to compile evidence on the health and influence of UK physical geography. It uses documented evidence, most of which is in the public domain, to describe the nature and demand for physical geography in schools, the shape and size of physical geography in universities, the achievements and global influence of UK physical geography and its academic community, and the aspirations and skillsets offered by the next generation of physical geographers. Physical geography brings a unique spatial perspective, and the capability to integrate across scales and subdisciplinary systems. It links to aspects of environmental science, mathematics, physics and life sciences. It sets intellectual agendas both within and beyond geography, and leads eminent international collaborative research programmes. The ‘de-siloing’ of science in the 21st century in response to big ‘whole world’ societal-environment challenges demonstrates the value of approaches which have always been integral to UK physical geography. UK physical geography is international in outlook, is world-leading in many subareas, and influences the discipline worldwide. This is achieved through many routes including: international research partnerships; the training given to overseas students in UK geography departments, particularly at graduate level; and the roles played by UK-based academics in international professional bodies, international journal editorships and major conferences. UK physical geography research is funded from diverse sources and punches well above its weight in terms of success rates at the UK Research Councils. In the last decade, European funding has also been vital in supporting UK physical geography research. New substantial funding opportunities are emerging including through the UK’s Global Challenges ResearchFund and Industrial Strategy, which physical geography is well placed to engage with.Additionally, the opportunities for postgraduate doctoral research in physical geography have been enhanced with the advent of the UK Research Council doctoral training programmes. The future of physical geography is bright. It is witnessing a resurgence in popularity in schools in England. Curriculum changes, increasing physical geography’s presence within A-Levels in England and Wales, are positive developments, as are a greater emphasis on fieldwork, individual project work and data skills. These provide opportunities for physical geography to bolster its position within the discipline in schools and beyond. The situation is not consistent across the UK; it is hoped that changes can be made in the content of Scottish Highers that leads to greater balance in the content of physical and human geography. At university, physical geography is a popular and growing subject choice and attracts some of the highest-calibre students to its undergraduate degrees. As well as being taught in UK university geography undergraduate programmes, physical geography is widespread in other degree structures and departments. Successful course delivery is contingent upon institutions providing appropriate access to laboratory facilities, fieldwork opportunities and quantitative training. Physical geography undergraduates perform well in their degrees, express high level of courses satisfaction, and have excellent employment outcomes compared to many disciplines. The independent review of this report by a panel of eminent overseas experts confirms that “it is beyond doubt that UK physical geography is a leading force worldwide as evidenced by all the metrics discussed in this report”. Nonetheless, there are challenges, detailed within the report, that need to be addressed to enhance the scientific academic and public presence, inclusivity, resourcing, autonomy, and global reputation of UK physical geography. It is recommended that a working group representative of constituent bodies within UK physical geography, led by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) (RGS-IBG), is set up to take forward the ssues associated with thesechallenges

The Equator Project

Geography, Earth and Environmental Science (GEES) research will play a vital role in addressing the grand challenges of the 21st century, contributing to many of the UN sustainable development goals and the global energy transition. However, geoscience knowledge cannot be successfully applied to global problems that impact people from all walks of life unless the discipline itself is equitable. There is a well-documented racial and ethnic diversity crisis in GEES subjects in the Global North1 that leads to inequities in who does environmental research. The Equator project set out to increase participation and retention of UK-domiciled Black, Asian and minority ethnic postgraduate research (PGR) students in GEES topics. Our goal was to improve equity and diversity in a research area critical to a more sustainable future; not because of a business case, or for diversity as resource- but for social justice.Equator was a six-month project, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), that developed three evidence-based interventions targeting different barriers to racial and ethnic diversity in GEES research. To remove barriers to access, a doctoral training working group was formed to share best practice and develop recommendations to make PhD recruitment more equitable. To improve access and participation, a ring-fenced research school for ethnic minority undergraduate, masters and doctoral students was delivered. To increase retention and improve student experience, a targeted mentoring network pairing students with mentors from both industry and academia was created.Evaluation of interventions took the form of action research with a Theory of Change approach, with surveys used to capture thoughts and reflections in each of the three work packages. This occurred alongside collaborative, self-reflective inquiry within the project team and steering committee. The steering committee included grassroots organisations, higher education institutions, professional bodies and an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) consultant.The Equator doctoral training working group developed recommendations to remove barriers to ethnic minority students applying for and being accepted onto PhD programs. The practical suggestions are designed to be implemented by academics and professional service staff working in doctoral training recruitment, and are broken down into student-facing, procedural and interview/evaluation categories. Themes covered include pre-application support, data collection and reporting, website materials, and standardisation of application and interview materials. The Equator Research School and Mentoring Network led to development of a “how to” guide of recommendations for creating successful interventions for improving participation and retention in research. Participants in the Equator Research School and Mentoring Network provided very positive feedback both during and following the interventions. The majority of those involved felt a stronger sense of belonging and inclusion in GEES research and were more likely to consider a research career after taking part. The evaluation process showed unequivocally that the ring-fenced, discipline-specific, fully-funded nature of the interventions was a critical factor in participants applying to be involved. Equator project recommendations are provided as a graphic guide for educators and university leaders at the end of this report (Appendix 1, to be added Autumn 2022).</jats:p

Strategies for making geoscience PhD recruitment more equitable

Geoscience is one of the least diverse science disciplines in the Global North in terms of ethnic minority representation. Over recent years, efforts to improve access and participation in the geosciences have increased, with funding bodies recognizing the need to invest in this work. This article discusses the research undertaken within the EQUATOR project and some proposed solutions

Holocene lacustrine sedimentation in a small subalpine watershed in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia

The lake sediments of Gallie Pond, a subalpine lake which drains the Goat Meadows watershed, a drainage basin in the Coast Mountains of south western British Columbia, were investigated to determine sediment transfers operating over the Holocene Epoch. Samples were collected from the terrestrial deposits of the Goat Meadows watershed and twenty six cores were taken from the lake sediments of Gallie Pond. Physical, chemical and mineralogical analyses were conducted on the terrestrial and lake sediment samples in order to determine sediment depth, size range and variability of specific properties of the sediments. The results indicate that the Goat Meadows watershed has remained a relatively low energy erosional system over the Holocene Epoch. The lithostratigraphy of the sediments best records the development of the lake from initial conditions of flowing water, to a peat bog and subsequently to an oligotrophic lake; a transition which may be related to regional palaeoclimatic change. Sediment yield from the watershed over the Holocene Epoch has varied by one order of magnitude. The mean rate is one and two orders of magnitude lower than the contemporary data for the watershed and the Coast Mountains region respectively. The source area for the clastic sediment within the watershed has changed from poorly weathered till to pedogenic sources with time, while the lake's organic matter has remained primarily allochthonous in origin. In the context of regional palaeoenvironments this study indicates rapid paraglacial erosion of glacial sediment in the immediate postglacial completed by ca. 10,000 years B.P.; an early date for the hypsithermal neoglacial boundary ca. 6300 years B.P.; progressive cooling of the three post hypsithermal neoglacial intervals; and, increased aeolian activity over the latter part of the Holocene Epoch.Arts, Faculty ofGeography, Department ofGraduat

Lake sediments as records of palaeoenvironmental change : Kwoiek Creek, Coast Mountains, British Columbia

It has been suggested that the dominant controls on alpine sediment transfers during the Holocene Epoch relate to climate change, specifically paraglacial sedimentation and Neoglacial activity. Alpine lakes with appropriate geometry and hydraulic conditions trap a high proportion of sediments inflowing from their surrounding drainage basins. Thus alpine lake sediments have the potential to yield a comprehensive, integrated signal of drainage-basin geomorphic activity through time, which may be interpreted as a proxy record of Neoglacial activity. This study is concerned with the interpretation of alpine lake sediments in glacierized drainage basins as records of Neoglacial activity. It adopts an explicitly geomorphological approach that integrates an understanding of the drainage basin sedimentary system, specifically sediment sources and transfers, with the interpretation of lake sediment deposits and extends existing models of alpine sedimentary response down-valley, away from the immediate proglacial environment. A down-valley sequence of four valley bottom lakes, Kha, Klept, Kokwaskey and Kwoiek, within the Kwoiek Creek watershed, southeastern Coast Mountains of British Columbia, were studied. Sub-bottom sounding and multiple cores from each lake allowed identification of lake-wide changes in sediment input through time; in addition terrain mapping and characterisation of sediment sources provided a framework within which to identify the sources of the lake sediments and their fluctuations through time. Preliminary characterization of the sediments broadly separated organic and clastic components. Detailed laboratory analyses revealed organic matter content to be a good inverse indicator of sedimentation rates. Grain size analyses revealed three distinct textural populations. Graphical partitioning of the cumulative grain size distributions identified each fraction for further analysis. The provenance of the coarsest and intermediate fraction was determined through SEM surface texture analysis of a statistically representative number of grains. The coarsest fraction was derived from localized colluvial sources. The intermediate fraction was derived from glacial sources and strongly filtered downsystem. The finest fraction was characterised as glacial in origin because of consistent trends in its variability at the drainage basin scale through time. Fluctuations in the total influx of the intermediate and finest fractions are interpreted as a proxy record of Neoglacial activity in the watershed. Analysis of persistence in the sedimentation data indicates history of the order 100 yrs, which is interpreted as an index of the relaxation time of sedimentary stores. Basal dates on the sediments provide the earliest dates for deglaciation in the southern Coast Mountains, suggesting that extensive areas of southwestern British Columbia were ice free prior to 11 500 B.P. Three phases of Neoglacial activity centred 6000 to 5000 B.P., 3500 to 2900 B.P. and post 750 B.P are suggested by increased sedimentation rates for glacially-derived material. When compared with reconstructions from a pollen study conducted within the watershed and regional chronologies reported in the literature, there is remarkable consistency. The major advantage of the lake sediment approach as developed in this study is the continuity and apparent sensitivity of the derived proxy records. These records permit a consideration of both the magnitude and frequency of palaeoenvironmental change, specifically Neoglacial activity, at one site. Such a record has not been found elsewhere in British Columbia, where discontinuous terrestrial records have been used.Arts, Faculty ofGeography, Department ofGraduat

Enabling equitable cultures in physical geography

A short blog reporting on research into EDI issues in Physical Geograph