Millennial-Scale Ecological Changes in Tropical South America Since the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract

An analysis of rates of ecological change (RoC) from thirteen pollen records from tropical South America is presented here. The analysis aims to identify the periods of fastest change since the last glacial maximum (LGM) and possible drivingmechanisms. Despite rapid cooling periods, region-wide profound droughts, fire and human disturbances, RoC analysis showed that the speed of these climate changes never exceed the species response capabilities. Our results legitimize concerns regarding the resilience of species to accommodate future change and emphasize the urgency for integrative environmental measures.