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Holocene aquatic ecosystem change in the boreal vegetation zone of northern Finland

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Abstract

We studied multiple variables in a sediment core from Lake Kipojärvi, northern Finland, to investigate Holocene ecosystem changes in relation to catchment characteristics and known climate variations. We focused on a forested catchment because previous paleolimnological studies conducted in Fennoscandia focused mainly on subarctic lakes within a range of shifting treeline(s). Data on aquatic macrophytes, diatoms, Cladocera, C:N ratio, organic matter (LOI) and regional vegetation (pollen), revealed a three-phase limnological development. The early Holocene, species-rich, mesotrophic lake was transformed into an oligotrophic, species-poor aquatic ecosystem by the early middle Holocene, ca. 7,500 cal years BP, earlier than has generally been reported. The transition involved considerable changes in aquatic macrophytes. Changes in the Cladocera and diatom communities appear to have been linked to aquatic macrophyte development, which in turn, was probably regulated by catchment development and hydrology, and a consequent decrease in nutrient input from the catchment. During the more humid late Holocene, surface flow from the catchment probably increased, but the lake’s nutrient status remained oligotrophic. Possible reasons for low nutrient concentration in the late Holocene include: 1) slower biogeochemical cycling due to cooler climate, 2) a new hydrologic outlet and associated shorter water-retention times, and 3) accelerated peatland development in the catchment that affected water flow patterns and nutrient cycling.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided to MV and JW by the REBECCA-project, supported by the Helsinki University Environmental Research Centre (HERC) and the Academy of Finland. We gratefully acknowledge funding to SS from Arctic Doctoral Programme, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland. We warmly thank Mirjam Orvomaa and Virpi Kuutti for help with fieldwork and analyses. We are grateful to Ossi Aikio and many other local people for their helpful and cooperative attitude towards our fieldwork in Kaamanen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Minna Väliranta, Jan Weckström & Susanna Siitonen

  2. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, P.O. Box 122, 96101, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Susanna Siitonen

  3. Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Heikki Seppä & Jyri Alkio

  4. Peatland Ecology Group, Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, Helsinki, Finland

    Sari Juutinen & Eeva-Stiina Tuittila

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  1. Minna Väliranta
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Correspondence to Minna Väliranta.

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Väliranta, M., Weckström, J., Siitonen, S. et al. Holocene aquatic ecosystem change in the boreal vegetation zone of northern Finland. J Paleolimnol 45, 339–352 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-011-9501-5

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