Pine stumps in Irish peats: is their occurrence a valid proxy climate indicator?

Abstract

We investigate the temporal and spatial distribution of pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) stumps preserved in peat deposits to test whether their occurrence can be used as an indicator of climatic shifts to drier conditions. Radiocarbon dates of sub‐fossil stumps were collected from the literature, along with environmental data throughout the island of Ireland. Data were analysed using non‐parametric statistical techniques. There was no distinct geographical pattern observed in the distribution of pine stumps on bog surfaces. Tree ages ranged from 66 to 500 years with 85.7 % of these

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