Middle to late Holocene sea-level change in Western Denmark : a diatom-based study

Modem diatom assemblages and associated environmental variables were collected from six transects across the salt-marsh surface in the Ho Bugt embayment in western Denmark. The relationship between diatom assemblages and environmental variables (elevation, pH, salinity, loss on ignition, grain size) was explored using ordination techniques to assess the potential use of diatoms as sea-level indicators. Results for the two data sets analysed in ordinations indicate that elevation exerts a strong, independent and statistically significant influence on modem diatom distributions in the Ho Bugt embayment. Diatom-based transfer functions were subsequently developed to reconstruct changes in palaeomarsh-surface elevation based on the relationship between diatoms and elevation in the modem training set

la historia holocena de lo estuario del Guadiana contada por diatomeas y quistes de crisofíceas

In order to tell the history of the Guadiana Estuary since the Last Glacial Maximum, a core collected therein, and spanning more than 13200 cal. years B.P., was studied regarding its diatom and chrysophyte cyst fossil records. Additionally, a diatom-based transfer function was used to reconstruct paleo-salinity and paleo-duration of tidal inundation to better understand the estuary’s evolution in relation to sea-level rise and climate changes. This study identifies some important climatic events, such as the Allerød climatic optimum, the Younger Dryas and three dry and cold events at 10600, 9100 and 7600 cal. years B.P., most of which were not identified by other proxies. Moreover, it also revealed that, prior to 13200 cal. years B.P., there was a mudflat environment in the place where the core was collected, consistent with an estuary slightly confined in the narrow valley under marine/tidal influence. Afterwards, this environment evolved into a salt marsh. The strongest marine influence was inferred to the period between 10000 and 7000 cal. years B.P., embracing a phase of rapid sea-level rise, non compensated by sedimentation, that favored the development of a mudflat. From this period onwards, diatom assemblages seem to indicate an evolution to a more enclosed environment, probably similar to the actual configuration of the area

Modern diatom assemblages as tools for paleoenvironmental reconstruction: a case study from estuarine intertidal zones in southern Iberia

Diatoms are unicellular algae that live in saline, brackish and freshwater environments, either floating in the water column or associated with various substrates (e.g., muddy and sandy sediments). Diatoms are sensitive to changes in environmental variables such as salinity, sediment texture, nutrient availability, light and temperature. This characteristic, along with their short lifespan, allows diatoms to quickly respond to environmental changes. Since the beginning of the 20th century, diatoms have been widely used to study the Holocene evolution of estuaries worldwide, particularly to reconstruct ecological responses to sea-level and climate changes. However, diatoms have been poorly studied in estuarine intertidal zones, due to the complexity of these environments, which have both fluvial and marine influences.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Teaching and learning on a transnational education programme: opportunities and challenges for flying faculty in Geography and related disciplines

Within the context of the internationalization of UK higher education, an increasing number of UK-based institutions are developing collaborative degree programmes with overseas institutions, of which partnerships with institutions in China are the most common. This paper employs a critical reflective approach to explore, from different perspectives (self-reflection, student feedback, our colleagues’ experiences), some of the opportunities and challenges that exist for flying faculty through critical reflection on the author’s own flying faculty experiences delivering an introductory Physical Geography module in China. Teaching in an unfamiliar environment brings with it a plethora of challenges, however; for staff in Geography and related disciplines, active engagement with the external world through field-based learning is perhaps the most challenging aspect of any overseas teaching experience. As such, a particular focus of this paper is on the challenges, and potential solutions, of incorporating field-based learning and teaching in the international classroom. Ultimately, faculty with international teaching experience are best placed to develop and enhance the internationalization of their own institution’s curricula

Predicting Future Sea Level PowerPoint Presentation

Part Four of Changing Coastal Environments - PowerPoint Presentation

Reconstructing Techniques PowerPoint Presentation

Part Two of Changing Coastal Environments - PowerPoint Presentation

Coastal Hazard Mitigation PowerPoint Presentation

Part Six of Changing Coastal Environments - PowerPoint Presentation

Postglacial Sea-Level Change Reading List

Part One of Changing Coastal Environments - Reading List

Postglacial Sea-Level Change PowerPoint Presentation

Part One of Changing Coastal Environments - PowerPoint Presentation

Threats and Future Coasts Reading List

Part Five of Changing Coastal Environments - Reading List