Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1889 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Walker, IR and Pellat, MG. 2001. Climate change and impacts in southern British Columbia - a palaeoenvironmental perspective. |
| Organization | UBCO |
| URL | http://trench-er.com/public/library/files/climate-change-southern-bc.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | A comprehensive review of palaeoenvironmental data has been prepared, providing the basis for evaluating natural variability in climate and ecosystem dynamics in southern British Columbia. Key indicators of past changes include palaeolimnological, palaeobotanical, glaciological, and dendroclimatological evidence. Long records of change pre-dating the last glacial maximum in British Columbia are scarce; thus, data derived from adjacent unglaciated parts of Washington state provide essential background for understanding British Columbia's glacial history. Abundant evidence preserved in the sediments of British Columbia lakes records the rapid transition from a glacial to an interglacial climate over the interval 12,500 to 9000 14C yr BP. Peak summer temperatures (about 3ﾰC warmer than present) and minimum precipitation were recorded for southern British Columbia ca. 9000 to 7000 14C yr BP, but were likely accompanied by winter temperatures colder than today's. A strong Pacific high prevailed during the summer months. Summer temperatures gradually declined over the interval 7000 to 3000 14C yr BP, as wetter conditions and a stronger Aleutian low developed. Many glacial advances have been recorded in the past 3500 years, with most glacial maxima dating to the mid 19th century. A general retreat of these glaciers has accompanied the recent warming trend in British Columbia. Palaeoenvironmental records, such as these, are critical for the development and testing of climate models, and for an understanding of the long-term dynamics of ecosystems. The perspective offered by these long-term changes in ecosystems is needed for the appropriate management of forest resources and development of protected area strategies. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | All |
| Sub-watershed if known | |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | Ian Walker |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |