Evidence from a lake sediment core

Paleoecologists are able to ‘read’ the past from evidence found in lake sediment cores. Pollen from bracken fern is associated with clearing forested land. Pollen from grasses and pine is associated with pastures and plantation forests. Pollen, charcoal and algae levels show the impacts humans have had on lake ecosystems.

Image courtesy of Lakes380 – Our lakes’ health: past, present, future.