Zheng, Z.Li, Q.2006-07-242006-07-242000Quaternary Research, 2000; 53(3):330-3400033-58941096-0287http://hdl.handle.net/2440/13860<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Pollen in Quaternary deposits from the subtropical Hanjiang Delta records three major phases in the local vegetation and climate history during the last 55,000 yr: (1) a prevalent cool-to-temperate and humid climate at ca. 24,000 <jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C yr B.P. is indicated by abundant pollen of temperate trees including conifers; (2) between 20,000 and 15,000 <jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C yr B.P., a cold, dry environment was associated with low sea level during the last glaciation, leading to subaerial exposure, weathering, and interruption of sedimentation, as well as departure from the region of <jats:italic>Dacrydium</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Sonneratia;</jats:italic> (3) a short-term expansion of grassland at ca. 10,300 <jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C yr B.P. reduced the predominant Lauraceae-Fagaceae evergreen forest, possibly corresponding to the Younger Dryas cooling. The combined data indicate a maximum sea-level rise in the mid-Holocene (7500–4000 <jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C yr B.P.) and a marine influence in the late Pleistocene at 45,000–20,000 <jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C yr B.P. The Holocene warming, however, did not bring back moisture-sensitive taxa, indicating high seasonal aridity probably caused by renewed monsoon conditions.</jats:p>enJournal article000100150810.1006/qres.1999.21260000872468000072-s2.0-003407903663175