The Holocene paleoecology of Jenny Lake area, southwest Yukon, and its implications for prehistory

Abstract

Five palynological zones are identified: Zone JL1 (12 500-9500 BP) is Betula shrub tundra assemblage; Zone JL2 (9500-8500 BP) an Alnus shrub tundra; Zone JL3 (8500-4500 BP) a Picea forest; Zone JL4 (4500-2000 BP) a Picea-Alnus woodland; and JL5 (2000 BP present) a Picea forest. The widely held belief that the Kluane-Aishihik area of the SW Yukon was covered by extensive grasslands well into the Holocene period is not supported. Instead, palynological evidence suggests that the area became a Picea-dominated forest by c8500 BP and remained forested to the present. The hypothesis stating early prehistoric hunters and gatherers in the SW Yukon were adapted to extensive Holocene grasslands until 3300-2600 BP must be modified in view of these findings. -from Authors