PALEOENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATIONS OF THE PLEISTOCENE AND EARLY HOLOCENE IN SOUTHWESTERN NEBRASKA

The paleoenvironmental record at Lime Creek is composed of both pollen
and phytolith data. Examination of the pollen and phytolith record is based
on analysis of single pollen and phytolith samples per stratum yielding
radiocarbon ages and three additional pollen samples. Sample selection
paralleled sample selection for radiocarbon dates and geomorphic samples to
maximize interpretability of these records. Samples spaced this far apart,
of course, allow only a cursory examination of changes in the past vegetation,
from which we may infer paleoenvironmental conditions. Two samples
from the present ground surface at Lime Creek were also examined for both
pollen and phytoliths. In addition, two samples collected from the cutbank
at Harry Strunk Reservoir were analyzed for pollen.