Environmental changes at Myora Springs, North Stradbroke Island over the last millennium

Abstract

A palaeoecological record has been constructed for Myora Springs, North Stradbroke Island that provides a detailed picture of environmental change for this site over the last millennium. From ~800 to 500 years ago the site is dominated by paperbark (Melaleuca) swamp surrounded by open eucalypt woodland and only a small amount of rainforest. This period may refl ect the drier conditions of a persistent ‘warm’ El Niño Southern Oscillation event possibly associated with the Little Ice Age phenomenon. From ~500 to 200 years ago the vegetation composition of the swamp and surrounding dryland communities changes, with a greater representation of she-oak (Casuarinaceae), rainforest and pteridophytes at the expense of the Melaleuca and eucalypts, suggesting wetter conditions. From ~200 years ago to the middle/late 20th century there is clear evidence of European settlement with increased representation of paperbark swamp and open eucalypt woodland at the expense of the Casuarinaceae refl ecting a shift in fi re regimes, most likely associated with European arrival. In addition, the cessation of sedimentation and the dominance of the site by the modern rainforest community refl ects the construction of the East Coast Road and channeling of swamp waters through a single channel from the mid to late 20th century