Early-Middle Pleistocene Transitions: The Land-ocean EvidenceThe Early-Middle Pleistocene transition (around 1.2 to 0.5 Ma) marks a profound shift in Earth's climate state. Low-amplitude 41 ka climate cycles, dominating the earlier part of the Pleistocene, gave way progressively to a 100 ka rhythm of increased amplitude that characterizes our present glacial-interglacial world. This volume assesses the biotic and physical response to this transition both on land and in the oceans: indeed it examines the very nature of Quaternary climate change. Milankovitch theory, palaeoceanography using isotopes and microfossils, marine organic geochemistry, tephrochronology, the record of loess and soil deposition, terrestrial vegetational change, and the migration and evolution of hominins as well as other large and small mammals, are all considered. These themes combine to explore the very origins of our present biota. |
Contents
A RIDGWELL A J MidPleistocene revolution and the eccentricity myth | 19 |
SCHEFUB E JANSEN J H F SINNINGHE DAMSTÉ J S Tropical environmental changes at | 35 |
JAHN B SCHNEIDER R R MÜLLER P J DONNER B RÖHL U Response of tropical African | 65 |
HAYWARD B W GRENFELL H R SABAA A T SIKES E Deepsea benthic foraminiferal | 85 |
MONECHI S Distribution of the calcareous nannofossil Reticulofenestra asanoi | 117 |
FERRETTI P SHACKLETON N J Rio D HALL M A EarlyMiddle Pleistocene deep | 131 |
SUC J P POPESCU S M Pollen records and climatic cycles in the North Mediterranean | 147 |
L NEWNHAM R M ALLOWAY B V PILLANS B OGDEN J WESTGATE J | 183 |
DODONOV A E The stratigraphic transition and suggested boundary between the Early | 209 |
OREGAN H J BISHOP L C LAMB A ELTON S TURNER A Large mammal turnover | 231 |
R RAIA P GIOVINAZZO C EarlyMiddle Pleistocene structural changes | 251 |
CUENCABESCÓS G ROFES J GARCIAPIMIENTA J Environmental change across | 277 |
D Hominin responses to Pleistocene environmental change in Arabia and South | 305 |
| 321 | |
Common terms and phrases
abundance Acheulean Africa alkenones analysis appears assemblages Atlantic Basin benthic BERGER boundary carbon central changes climate composition core correlation Crocuta cycles deep deposits depth dominated Early Early Pleistocene Early-Middle Pleistocene east environment et al Europe event evidence evolution faunas foraminiferal forcing forest Geological glacial global hominin Homo ice volume increased indicate interglacial interval isotope Italy Journal late localities loess lower major mammal marine maximum Mediterranean mid-Pleistocene Middle Pleistocene Nature North northern occurred Ocean orbital organic oxygen isotope pattern periods phase Pliocene pollen precession present productivity Quaternary record region relative represents Research response river samples Science sediments Shackleton significant similar Site Society South southern species stages stratigraphy suggest surface taxa tion transition upwelling values variations vegetation Zealand