South American lake paleo-records across the Pampean Region

GARCÍA-RODRÍGUEZ F.; PIOVANO E.; DEL PUERTO L.; INDA H.; STUTZ S.; BRACCO R.; PANARIO D.; CÓRDOBA F.; SYLVESTRE F.; ARIZTEGUI D.

PAST GLOBAL CHANGES MAGAZINE

PAGES

Lugar: Bern; Año: 2009 vol. 17 p. 115 - 117

2411-605X

Paleolimnological studies of shallow lakes in the Pampean plains of South America provide detailed information on their response to both climate and anthropogenically-induced changes through time. Although paleolimnological studies in the Argentinean and Uruguayan Pampas are relatively incipient, they have already provided critical information on the regional response of aquatic systems to climate variability. The combined results of these research initiatives highlight the key role of the subtropical region of South America (i.e., the transition between the tropics and the extra tropics) in deciphering the forcing factors of past changes in atmospheric circulation. Both Argentinean and Uruguayan Holocene paleolimnological records indicate similar paleoclimatic trends, i.e. dominant dry conditions were observed during cold phases, whereas wet conditions prevailed during warm climatic phases. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to integrate paleoclimatic data for the whole Pampean region. In addition, our results underscore the need to reinforce paleoclimate research at mid-latitudes in South America, in an attempt to fully appreciate natural climate variability beyond the instrumental record, as well as to design new strategies for the sustainable development of ecosystems and natural resources.