Mid-Wisconsinan Climate Reconstruction Based on Fossil Beetles from Six Mile Creek, Ithaca, New York
Date of Award
2018
Publisher
North Dakota State University
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Awarded
Master of Science (MS)
Program
Environmental and Conservation Science
Department
Biological Sciences
College
Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Advisor
Ashworth, Allan
Description
The history of the Mid-Wisconsinan sub-stage in northeastern North America is one of large climatic oscillations. Fossil beetles were extracted from two horizons at the Six Mile Creek site, New York. A total of 738 individuals was identified, representing 16 species. The beetle fossils, as well as those of plants, indicate a range of habitats from well-drained uplands to moist boggy lowlands, indicative of a tundra environment. A modified Mutual Climatic Range (MCR) method was used for the paleoclimatic reconstruction. SAS and ArcGIS programs were used to construct 95% confidence ellipses from which mean July temperature was inferred to be in the range of 8.7 ºC to 11.4 ºC and mean January temperature in the range of -24.6 ºC to -15.3 ºC. The estimated mean July temperature is 9.0 °C to 11.7 °C cooler than in central New York State at present.
Recommended Citation
Shrestha, Sangita, "Mid-Wisconsinan Climate Reconstruction Based on Fossil Beetles from Six Mile Creek, Ithaca, New York" (2018). Environmental and Conservation Sciences. 58.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/env-conservation-sci/58
Rights
NDSU Policy 190.6.2
Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0001-7342-0688
Handle Identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28393