Mid-Holocene Hemlock Decline in Eastern North America Linked with Phytophagous Insect Activity
Abstract
Macrofossil evidence indicates that the mid-Holocene hemlock [Tsuga canadensisL. (Carr.)] decline that occurred over a wide area in eastern North America was associated with phytophagous insect activity.In situhemlock macrofossils and insect remains found in a paludified dunefield at the northern limit of hemlock testify that two defoliation events occurred at 4910 ± 90 and 4200 ± 100 yr B.P., respectively. The sharp coincidence of remains from hemlock needles with chewing damage typical of hemlock looper feeding, head capsules from the hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria) and the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana), absence of hemlock fruiting remains, and tree-ring anomalies in fossil hemlocks that died prematurely (<165 yr) suggest that defoliation affected hemlock reproductive capacity and pollen productivity, or more likely caused mass mortality. Our findings indicate that defoliation can affect ecosystems for centuries, especially when long-lived tree species are involved.
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- Authors
- Bhiry, N., & Filion, L.
- Affiliations
- Center for Northern Studies (CA)
- Venue
- Quaternary Research
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 1996-05
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 312-320
- ISSN
- 0033-5894 (ISSN-L)
- 1096-0287
- OpenAlex
- W2052134149
- Cited by
- 149
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 5.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Quaternary Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Tree-ring climate responses
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Keywords
- hemlock decline, Tsuga canadensis, mid-Holocene, phytophagous insects, defoliation, hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria, spruce budworm, mass mortality, eastern North America
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