Project Database

Abstract:

The Bale Mountains were one of the three extensively glaciated higher elevation areas in Ethiopia during last glacial maximum (Osmaston et al, 2005). After deglaciation, several small depressions on the Sanetti Plateau turned into shallow lakes. Today, some of these lakes dry out seasonally due to the alternation between monsoonal precipitation in summer and dry north-easterlies in winter. Drastically decreasing of Erica vegetation at higher altitude was recorded on the study area (Umer, 2007; Miehe and Miehe 1994). But the driving causes of this vegetation change is still unclear. Therefore, with this study we aim at contributing to the reconstruction of the Late Glacial and Holocene environmental evolution of the Bale Mountains, particularly sedimentation, fire and vegetation evolution by studying depression sediments based on the hypothesis that any process in the catchment of the depression, initiated by climate fluctuations, human impact and natural fires disturbing the vegetation cover, soil stability, run off and erosion should be documented in the physical, chemical and biological properties of depression sediments.

Abstract:

Compound-specific oxygen isotope (?18O) analysis of sugar biomarkers in lacustrine sediments – rationale, first applications and perspectives for future research