Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modern pollen rain in the Lake Qinghai basin, China

  • Published:
Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Lake Qinghai is the largest inland brackish lake in China and lies within the NE Tibetan Plateau. Our study shows that pollen assemblages in each vegetation belt are significantly correlated with the vegetation types of this area. Among the herbaceous and shrubby pollen assemblages, Artemisia is over-represented, while Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Polygonaceae are under-represented. Artemisia/Chenopodiaceae (A/C) ratios with the regional vegetation characteristic can be used as a proper index to reconstruct the history of vegetation and climate in Lake Qinghai basin. Modern pollen in the lake mainly comes from the nearby vegetation, controlled by the directions and velocity of the wind. The distribution of modern pollen in Lake Qinghai tends to be similar in most part of the lake. The difference of pollen sedimentation process in the lake can be potentially influenced by the focusing function of the lake, river streams, and lake current.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shen F, Kuang D B. Remote sensing investigation and survey of Qinghai Lake in the past 25 years (in Chinese). J Lake Sci, 2003, 15(4): 289–296

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lanzhou Branch of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Evolution of Recent Environment in Qinghai Lake and its Prediction (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  3. Liu X Y. Hydrological characteristics of Qinghai Lake (in Chinese). Hydrology, 2004, 24(2): 60–61

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chen G C, Peng M. Types and distribution of vegetation in Qinghai Lake region (in Chinese). Acta Phytoecl Geobo Sin, 1993, 17(1): 71–81

    Google Scholar 

  5. Sun J C. Qinghai Lake (in Chinese). Geol Rev, 1938, 3(5): 507–511

    Google Scholar 

  6. Shi Y F. A preliminary investigation of physical geography (geomorphology focus) of Qinghai Lake and the surrounding areas (in Chinese). Acta Geol Sin, 1958, 24(1): 33–48

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lanzhou Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. General Investigation Report of Qinghai Lake (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  8. Chen K Z, Bowler J M, Kelts K. Palaeoclimatic evolution within the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau in the last 40000 years (in Chinese). Quat Sci, 1990, (1): 21–31

  9. Sun D P, Tang Y. Preliminary study on chemical evolution of water in Qinghai Lake (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull, 1991, 36(15): 1172–1174

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lister G, Kelts K, Chen K Z, et al. Lake Qinghai, China: Closed-basin lake levels and the oxygen isotope record for Ostracoda since the latest Pleistocene. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol, 1991, 84(1–4): 141–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Huang L. Preliminary studies on accumulation rate of sediment and paleoclimatic evolution in Qinghai Lake. Chin Sci Bull, 1988, 32(22): 1740–1744

    Google Scholar 

  12. Zhang P X, Zhang B Z, Yang W B. On the model of post-glacial palaeoclimatic fluctuation in Qinghai Lake region (in Chinese). Quat Sci, 1989, (1): 66–77

  13. Kelts K, Chen K Z, Lister G, et al. Geological fingerprints of climate history: A cooperative study of Qinghai Lake, China. Edogae Geol Helv, 1989, 82: 167–182

    Google Scholar 

  14. Qinghai Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. Hydrological Investigation Report of the Southern Qinghai Lake Basin (in Chinese). Beijing: Geology Press, 1977. 1–232

    Google Scholar 

  15. An Z S, Wang P, Shen J, et al. Geophysical survey on the tectonic and sediment distribution of Qinghai Lake basin. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2006, 49(8): 851–861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Shen J, Liu X Q, Wang S M, et al. Palaeoclimatic changes in the Qinghai Lake area during the last 18000 years. Quat Int, 2005, 136: 131–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Yu G, Tang L Y, Yang X D, et al. Modern pollen samples from alpine vegetation on the Tibetan Plateau. Glob Ecol Biogeogr, 2001, 10: 503–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lü H Y, Wang S Y, Shen C M, et al. Spatial pattern of modern Abies and Picea pollen in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (in Chinese). Quat Sci, 2004, 24(1): 39–49

    Google Scholar 

  19. Herzschuh U, Kurschner H, Mischke S. Temperature variability and vertical vegetation belt shifts during the last 50000 yr in the Qilian Mountains (NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau, China). Quat Res, 2006, 66: 133–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Du N Q, Kong Z C, Shan F S. A preliminary investigation on the vegetational and climatic changes since 1100 years in Qinghai lake—An analysis based on palynology in core QH875-14C (in Chinese). Acta Bot Sin, 1989, 31(10): 803–814

    Google Scholar 

  21. Liu X Q, Shen J, Wang S M, et al. A 16000-year pollen record of Qinghai Lake and its paleoclimate and paleoenvironment. Chin Sci Bull, 2002, 47(22): 1931–1936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang N X. Preliminary studies on the law of Buha River’s changing runoff (in Chinese). Qinghai Sci Tech, 2002, (5): 36–38

  23. Zhu C G, Chen G C, Zhou G Y. Plant community diversity in the Buha River region of the Qinghai Lake downstream area (in Chinese). Hubei Agr Sci, 2006, 45(4): 413–415

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wilmshurst J M, McGlone M S. Origin of pollen and spores in surface lake sediments: Comparison of modern palynomorph assemblages in moss cushions, surface soils and surface lake sediments. Rev Palaeobot Palynol, 2005, 136: 1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Adam D P, Mehringer P J. Modern pollen surface samples—An analysis of subsamples. J Res USA Geol Surv, 1975, 3: 733–736

    Google Scholar 

  26. Moore P D, Webb J A. An Illustrated Guide to Pollen Analysis. London: Hodder, Stouhton, 1978. 1–133

    Google Scholar 

  27. Li X Q, Du N Q. The acid-alkali-free analysis of Quaternary pollen. Acta Bot Sin, 1999, 41(7): 782–784

    Google Scholar 

  28. Wang F X, Qian N F, Zhang Y L, et al. Pollen Flora of China (in Chinese). 2nd ed. Beijing: Science Press, 1995. 1–437

    Google Scholar 

  29. Xi Y Z, Ning J C. Study on pollen morphology of plants from dry and semidry area in China (in Chinese). Yushania, 1994, 11: 119–191

    Google Scholar 

  30. Wu Z Y. Issues about the flora regions in China (in Chinese). Acta Bot Yunnan, 1979, 1(1): 1–21

    Google Scholar 

  31. Xu Q H, Li Y C, Yang X L, et al. Study on surface pollen of major steppe communities in northern China (in Chinese). Geogr Res, 2005, 24(3): 394–402

    Google Scholar 

  32. Xu Q H, Li Y C, Yang X L, et al. Surface pollen assemblages of some major forest types in northern China (in Chinese). Quat Sci, 2005, 25(5): 585–597

    Google Scholar 

  33. Sugita S. A model of pollen source area for an entire lake surface. Quat Res, 1993, 39(2): 239–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Jackson S T. Pollen source area and representation in small lakes of the northeastern United States. Rev Palaeobot Palynol, 1990, 63: 53–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. The Leading Group of Investigating Airborne Pollen Allergens, China. Investigation of Airborne Pollen Allergens in China (in Chinese). Beijing: Beijing Press, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  36. Weng C Y, Sun X J, Chen Y S. Numerical characteristics of pollen assemblages of surface samples from the west Kunlun Mountains (in Chinese). Acta Bot Sin, 1993, 35(1): 69–79

    Google Scholar 

  37. Cheng B, Zhu Y, Chen F H. Relationship between the surface pollen and vegetation in Shiyang River Drainage, Northwest China (in Chinese). J Glacial Geocryol, 2004, 26(1): 81–88

    Google Scholar 

  38. Xu Y Q, Yan S, Jia B Q, et al. Numerical relationship between the surface spore-pollen and surrounding vegetation on the southern slope of Tianshan Mountains (in Chinese). Arid Land Geogr, 1996, 19(3): 24–30

    Google Scholar 

  39. Li W Y. Quaternary Vegetation and Environment of China (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1998. 2–121

    Google Scholar 

  40. Minckley T, Whitlock C. Spatial variation of modern pollen in Oregon and southern Washington, USA. Rev Palaeobot Palynol, 2000, 112: 90–123

    Google Scholar 

  41. Ma S F, Deng J, Diao Z M, et al. Present research situation, comprehensive utilization and control counter measures of stell era chamaejasmel in Qinghai (in Chinese). Qinghai Pratac, 2007, 16(1): 17–21

    Google Scholar 

  42. Luly J G. Modern pollen dynamics and surficial sedimentary processes at Lake Tyrrell, semi-arid northwestern Victoria, Australia. Rev Palaeobot Palynol, 1997, 97: 301–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Singh, G, Luly JG.. Changes in vegetation and seasonal climate since the last full glacial at Lake Frome, South Australia. Paleogeogr Paleoclimatol Paleoecol, 1991, 84: 75–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Huang X Z, Zhao Y, Cheng B. Modern pollen analysis of the surface sediments from the Bosten Lake, Xinjiang, China (in Chinese). J Glacial Geocryol, 2004, 26(5): 602–609

    Google Scholar 

  45. El-Moslinmany A. The Ecological Significance of Common Nonarboreal Pollen: Example from Dryland of the Middle East. Rev Palaeobot Palynol, 1990, 64: 343–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Sun X J, Du N Q, Weng C Y, et al. Paleovegetation and paleoenvironment of Manasi Lake, Xinjiang, N. W. China during the last 14000 years (in Chinese). Quat Sci, 1994, (3): 239–248

  47. Herzschuh U. Reliability of pollen ratios for environmental reconstructions on the Tibetan Plateau. J Biogeogr, 2007, 34: 1265–1273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Davis M B, Brubaker L B, Beiswenger J M. Pollen grains in lake sediments: Pollen percentages in surface sediments from southern Michigan. Quat Res, 1971, 1: 450–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Zhang D S, Wang B. The formation of sandbar and its influence on the level in the Qinghai Lake (in Chinese). J Arid Land Resour Environ, 1991, 5(1): 96–102

    Google Scholar 

  50. Hu D S. The geological evolution of Qinghai Lake (in Chinese). Arid Land Geogr, 1989, 12(2): 29–36

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Lab of Loess & Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, 710075, China

    Xue Shang, XiaoQiang Li, ZhiSheng An, Ming Ji & HongBin Zhang

  2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Xue Shang, Ming Ji & HongBin Zhang

Authors
  1. Xue Shang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. XiaoQiang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. ZhiSheng An
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ming Ji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. HongBin Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to XiaoQiang Li.

Additional information

Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40599423), National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2004CB720202), and the West Light Foundation

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shang, X., Li, X., An, Z. et al. Modern pollen rain in the Lake Qinghai basin, China. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 52, 1510–1519 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0150-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0150-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation