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Chironomid-based paleosalinity records in southern British Columbia, Canada: a comparison of transfer functions

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Abstract

Chironomid remains from Big Lake, British Columbia were analysed and paleosalinities were estimated using a pre-existing transfer function and several developed using new regression methods. A two component partial-least-squares model (PLS-2) had the highest coefficient of determination (R2 (Jackknifed) = 0.75) and lowest root-mean-squared error-of-prediction (RMSEP). As compared to the pre-existing model, it was also less sensitive to the influence of rare taxa. Nevertheless, the marginally larger R2 (Jackknifed) and lower RMSEP do not clearly identify a single best model. The models were applied to Big, Mahoney and Kilpoola lakes, revealing the sensitivity of paleosalinity inferences to model selection. A synopsis of chironomid-based paleosalinities in British Columbia and their correspondence with other paleoclimatic data are presented and discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Okanagan University College, 3333 College Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7

    Markus L. Henrichs & Ian R. Walker

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, V5A 1S6

    Markus L. Henrichs, Ian R. Walker & Rolf W. Mathewes

  3. Climate Impacts Research Centre, Abisko Naturvetenskapliga Station, S-981 07, Abisko, Sweden

    Markus L. Henrichs

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  1. Markus L. Henrichs
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  2. Ian R. Walker
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  3. Rolf W. Mathewes
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Henrichs, M.L., Walker, I.R. & Mathewes, R.W. Chironomid-based paleosalinity records in southern British Columbia, Canada: a comparison of transfer functions. Journal of Paleolimnology 26, 147–159 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011180810493

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