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The palaeosalinity and vegetational history of Garaet el Ichkeul, northwest Tunisia

Department of Geography, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NEI 7RU, UK

S.J. Phethean

University Marine Biological Station, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 OEG, UK

J.E. Robinson

Department of Geology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

Palaeoecological studies of a ¹⁴C-dated, 6 m Livingstone core collected from Lac Ichkeul, N. Tunisia have allowed a palaeosalinity and vegetational history record for the last 3000 years to be derived from pollen, chemical and faunal evidence. The lake has been the subject of at least three different salinity regimes; saline (c. 3000 BP-c. 2000 BP), then brackish - fresh (c. 2000 BP-c. 1500 BP), and finally saline (c. 1500 BP-present). These changes in lake salinity are evaluated in the light of the known causes and the implications for the long-term future of the waterfowl populations discussed. An already disturbed Mediterranean woodland dominated by Quercus (cf. Q. suber) and Pinus (possibly P. halepensis) with a significant amount of Phillyrea characterizes the catchment vegetation from c. 3000 BP. From c. 1900 BP a degree of stabilization and regeneration occurs as woodland reinvades and ruderal indicators decline. However, from c. 1400 BP disturbance recommences and Quercus ilex pollen is seen for the first time. This is followed by further woodland interference resulting in the initial rise of Pistacia, but even this is eventually replaced by grassland as intensive cultivation of the Ichkeul catchment for Olea and winter wheat occurs.

Key Words: palaeosalinity • vegetation history • palaeolimnology • pollen • ostracods • foraminifera • lake chemistry • late Holocene • Mediterranean • Tunisia

The Holocene, Vol. 3, No. 3, 201-210 (1993)
DOI: 10.1177/095968369300300302


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