Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vegetation response to climate change on Jeju Island, South Korea, during the last deglaciation based on pollen record

  • Published:
Geosciences Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A pollen record (ca. 21,800 to 9,900 cal. yr BP) from a maar reveals a detailed history of vegetation and climate changes during the last deglaciation on Jeju Island, South Korea. During the LGM (ca. 21,800 to 14,400 cal. yr BP)Artemisia-dominated grassland with patches of cool temperate deciduous broadleaved forest developed under cold dry conditions. From ca. 14,400 to 11,800 cal. yr BP a vegetation transition from glacial type to interglacial is indicated by the expansion of temperate deciduous broadleaved forest and the retreat of grassland vegetation. The appearance of warm temperate evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forests with a fern understory after ca. 11,800 cal. yr BP suggests warm humid conditions, similar to modern climate of Jeju Island. Prominent fluctuations inArtemisia and Polypodiaceae indicate variability in humidity during the Late Pleistocene to Holocene transition. The pollen record reflects a vegetation response not only to the last deglacial warming but also to the influence of geographical change resulted from sea-level rise.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bennett, K.D., Haberle, S.G., Lumley, S.H., 2000, The Last Glacial-Holocene Transition in Southern Chile. Science 290, 325–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, G., Broecker, W., Johnsen, S., McManus, J., Labeyrie, L., Jouzel, J., Bonani, G., 1993, Correlations between climate records from North Atlantic sediments and Greenland ice. Nature 365, 143–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, N.K., Rim, Y.D., 1979, Morphological studies on the pollen of flowering plants in Korea. Seoul National University Press, Seoul, 62 pp with 137 plates (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi, K.R., 1998, The Post-glacial vegetation history of the lowland in Korean Peninsula. Korean Journal of Ecology, 21, 169–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chough, S.K., Kwon, S.-T., Ree, J.-H. and Choi, D.K., 2000, Tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the Korean peninsula: a review and new view. Earth-Science Reviews 52, 175–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chung, C.H., Yoon, H.I. and Lee, S.H., 2004, Paleoclimatic Implications of Palynoflora from the Quaternary Sediments at Seogwipo, Jeju Island, Korea. Journal of the Korean Earth Science Society, 25, 377–385 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dansgaard, W., Johnsen, S.J., Clausen, H.B., Dahl-Jensen, D., Gundestrup, N.S., Hammer, C.U., Hvidberg, C.S., Steffensen, J.P., Sveinbjornsdottir, A.E., Jouzel, J., Bond, G., 1993, Evidence for general instability of past climate from a 250-kyr ice-core record. Nature 364, 218–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeBusk Jr., G.H., 1997, The distribution of pollen in the surface sediments of lake Malawi, Africa, and the transport of pollen in large lakes. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 97, 123–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emery, K.O., Niino, H., Sullivan, B., 1971, Post-Pleistocene sea level of East China Sea. In: Turekian, K.K. (Ed.), The Late Cenozoic Glacial Age. Yale University Press, New Haven, 380–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairbanks, R.G., 1989, A 17,000-year glacio-eustatic sea level record: influence of glacial melting rates on the Younger Dryas event and deep-ocean circulation. Nature 342, 637–642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, Y.X., 1962, On some problems of Asian monsoon. In: Gao, Y.X. (Ed.), Some Questions about the East Asian Monsoon, Science Press, Beijing, pp. 1–49 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Genty, D., Blamart, D., Ghaleb, B., Plagnes, V., Causse, Ch., Bakalowicz, M., Zouari, K., Chkir, N., Hellstrom, J., Wainer, K., Bourges, F., 2006, Timing and dynamics of the last deglaciation from European and North African δ13C stalagmite profiles—comparison with Chinese and South Hemisphere stalagmites. Quaternary Science Reviews 25, 2118–2142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ijiri, A., Wang, L., Oba, T., Kawahata, H., Huang, C.-Y., Huang, C.-Y., 2005, Paleoenvironmental changes in the northern area of the East China Sea during the past 42,000 years. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 219, 239–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, J.H., Chough, S.K., 1998, Partitioning of transgressive deposits in the SE Yellow Sea: a sequence stratigraphic interpretation. Marine Geology 149, 79–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jo, W.-R., Hwang, S.-I. and Yoon, S.-O., 1994, The Environmental Change on the Gawaji Valley in the Later Half of the Post Glacial Age. Journal of the Geomorphological Association of Korea, 1, 3–16 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. M., Kennett, J. P., 1998, Paleoenvironmental changes associated with Holocene marine transgression, Yellow Sea(Hwanghae). Marine Micropaleontology, 34(1/2), 71–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, K.-D., Lee, S.-H., 2001, The characteristics of folk house related to climate in Cheju island. Journal of Korean Regional Geography, 7, 29–43 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, M. H., 1985, Flora of vascular plants in Jeju-do. Report of the Academic Survey of Hallasan(Mountain) Natural Preserve, Jeju, 424 pp (in Korean).

  • Kong, G.S., Park, S.-C., Han, H.-C., Chang, J.H. and Mackensen, A., 2006, Late Quaternary paleoenvironmental changes in the southeastern Yellow Sea, Korea. Quaternary International, 144, 3852.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korea Meteorological Administration, 2003, Annual Meteorological Report (1971–2000).

  • Lee, M.W., 1982, Petrology and geochemistry of Jeju volcanic Island, Korea. Tohoku University Scientific Reports, Series 15, 177–256.

  • Lee, S.H., Lee, Y.I., Yoon, H.I. and Yoo, K.C., East Asia monsoon variation and climate change in Jeju Island, Korea during the Pleistocene to early Holocene. Quaternary Research. (in press).

  • Lee, W.C., Yim, Y.-J., 2002, Plant Geography. Kangwon National University Press, Chuncheon, 412pp (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J.P., Milliman, J.D., Gao, S., Cheng, P., 2004, Holoecene development of the Yellow River’s subaqueous delta, north Yellow Sea. Marine Geology 209, 45–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, M., Wu, S., Wang, Y., 1987, Late Quaternary sedimentation of Yellow Sea (Huanghai). China Ocean Press, Beijing. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, G., Han, Y., Wang, S., 1989. Late Quaternary sporopollen assemblages and their geological significance in the Changjing River mouth area of the East China Sea. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology 9 (2), 13–26 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyoshi, N., Fujiki, T., Morita, Y., 1999, Palynology of a 250-m core from Lake Biwa: a 430,000-year record of glacial-interglacial vegetation change in Japan. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 104, 267–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa, T., Kitagawa, H., Yasuda, Y., Tarasov, P.E., Nishida, K., Gotanda, K., Sawai, Y., Yangtze River Civilization Program Members, 2003, Asynchronous Climate Changes in the North Atlantic and Japan During the Last Termination. Science, 299, 688–691.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, J., 1980a, Diagnostic characters of pollen grains of Japan. Part I. Osaka Museum of Natural History, Special publication, 12, 91pp (in Japanese).

  • Nakamura, J., 1980b, Diagnostic characters of pollen grains of Japan. Part II. Osaka Museum of Natural History, Special publication, 13, 91pp (in Japanese).

  • Park, Y.A., Khim, B.K. and Zhao, S., 1994, Sea level fluctuation in the Yellow Sea Basin. Journal of the Korean Society of Oceanography, 29(1), 42–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, S.C., 2001, Chinese loess record of monsoon climate during the last glacial-interglacial cycle. Earth-Science Reviews 54, 115–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qin, Y., Chen, L., Zhao, Y., Zhao, S., 1996, Geology of the East China Sea. Science Press, Beijing, pp. 139–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C.J.H., Blackwell, P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G.S., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks, R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hogg, A.G., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McComac, F.G., Manning, S.W., Ramsey, C.B., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R., Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J., Weyhenmeyer, C.E., 2004, IntCal04 Terrestrial radiocarbon age calibration, 0–26 cal kyr B1. Radiocarbon 46, 1029–1058.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saito, Y., 1998, Sea levels of the last glacial in the East China Sea continental shelf. The Quaternary Research 37, 237–242 (in Japanese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, H., von Rad, U., Erlenkeuser, H., 1998, Correlation between Arabian Sea and Greenland climate oscillations of the past 110,000 years. Nature 393, 54–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, J.S., Nakanishi, S., 1985, Phytosocilogical study of the subalpine forests on Mt. Halla for Cheju Islands, Korea. Japanese Journal of Ecosystem, 35, 317–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stuiver, M., Reimer, P., Bard, E., Warren-Beck, J., Burr, G.S., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac, G., van der Plicht, J. and Spurk, M., 1998, INTCAL 98 Radiocarbon age calibration, 24,000-0 cal BP.Radiocarbon, 40, 1041–1083.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stuiver, M., Reimer, P.J. and Reimer, R., 2005, CALIB 5.0. Radiocarbon calibration program. (http://www.calib.qub.ac.uk/).

  • Sun, X., Chen, Y., 1991, Palynological records of the last 11,000 years in China. Quaternary Science Reviews 10, 537–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, X., Li, X., Luo, Y., Chen, X., 2000, The vegetation and climate at the last glaciation on the emerged continental shelf of the South China Sea. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 160, 301–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukada, M., 1985, Map of vegetation during the last glacial maximum in Japan. Quaternary Research 23, 369–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzedakis, P.C., Andrieu, V., de Beaulieu, J.-L., Crowhurst, S., Follieri, M., Hooghiemstra, H., Magri, D., Reille, M., Sadori, L., Shackleton, N.J., Wijmstra, T.A., 1997, Comparison of terrestrial and marine records of changing climate of the last 500,000 years. Earth & Planetary Science Letters, 150, 171–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uyeki, H., 1933, On the forest zone of Korea. Acta Phytotaxonomy and Geobotany, 2, 73–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, F.S., Chien, N.F., Zhang, Y.L., Yang, H.Q., 1995, Pollen Flora of China, 2nd Edition. Science Press, Beijing, 461pp (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, P., 1999. Response of western Pacific marginal seas to glacial cycles: paleoceanographic and sedimentological features. Marine Geology 156, 5–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y.J., Cheng, H., Edwards, R.L., An, Z.S., Wu, J.Y., Shen, C.-C., Dorale, J.A., 2001, A high-resolution absolute-dated Late Pleistocene monsoon record from Hulu Cave, China. Science 294, 2345–2348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Won, C. K., 1976, Study of Petro-chemistry of Volcanic Rocks in Jeju Island. Journal of the Geological Society of Korea, 12, 207–226 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yasuda, Y., Tsukada, M., Kim, J.M., Lee, S.T. and Yim, Y.J., 1980, The environment changes and the agriculture origin in Korea. Japanese Ministry of Education Overseas Research Reports, 1–19.

  • Yasuda, Y., Yamaguchi, K., Nakagawa, T., Fukusawa, H., Kitagawa, J., Okamura, M., 2004, Environmental variability and human adaptation during the Lateglacial/Holocene transition in Japan with reference to pollen analysis of the SG4 core from Lake Suigetsu. Quaternary International, 123–125, 11–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi, S., Saito, Y., Zhao, Q., Wang, P., 2002, Pollen-implied palaeoclimate changes in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Delta, China, during the past 13 000 years BP. Quaternary Science Reviews 22, 1501–1519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi, S., Nam, S.-I., Chang, S.-W., Chang, J.H., 2004, Holocene environmental changes in the tidal sediments of west coast of south Korea inferred from pollen records. Journal of the Geological Society of Korea, 40, 213–225 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yim, Y.-J., 1990, Survey of nationwide natural environment (1–3): Vegetation of Jeju Province. Ministry of Environment, Seoul, 214pp (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yim, Y.-J., Kira, T., 1975, Distribution of forest vegetation and climate in the Korean Peninsula: I. Some indices of thermal climate. Japanese Journal of Ecology, 25(2), 77–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, S.-O., 1996, The Geomorphic Development and Environmental Changes on the Samcheonpo Area in the later Half of Holocene. Journal of the Geomorphological Association of Korea, 3, 36–55 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, S.-O., 1997, The Holocene Environmental Changes and Reconstruction of the Palaeogeography at Ilsan Area with the Special Reference to Pollen Analysis. Journal of the Korean Geographical Society, 32, 15–30 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, S.-O. and Jo, W., 1996, The late Quaternary Environmrntal Change in Youngyang Basin, Southeastern Part of Korea Peninsula. Journal of the Korean Geographical Society, 31, 447–468 (in Korean with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J.C., Lin, Z.G., 1992, Climate of China. Wiley, New York, 376pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, X., Geng, X., Zhang, J., 1982, Sea level changes in eastern China during the past 20000 years. Acta Ocean Sinica, 1, 248–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, Z., Lei, Z.-Q., 1999, A 400,000 year record of vegetational and climatic changes from a volcanic basin, Leizhou Peninsula, southern China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 145, 339–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Chonnam National University, 500-757, Gwangju, South Korea

    Chull-Hwan Chung

Authors
  1. Chull-Hwan Chung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chull-Hwan Chung.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chung, CH. Vegetation response to climate change on Jeju Island, South Korea, during the last deglaciation based on pollen record. Geosci J 11, 147–155 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913928

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913928

Key words

Search

Navigation