Ancient pollen from Brazilian rainforest gives climate change clues

25/06/2013

Ancient pollen collected from the Brazilian rainforest could help to shape predictions about the impact of climate change in the future.

Scientists from Edinburgh University and Sao Paulo University have been studying more than 140 types of pollen from the South American country's Atlantic Forest.

The pollen was collected from trees and herbs that had been preserved in lake sediment, and has helped the scientists to understand how previous climate changes affect the environment and the natural flora and fauna of the area.

The research found that the Linhares region of the forest has endured increasingly wet summers and dry winters over the last 7,000 years, something which has had a large impact on the types of plants and trees found in the area. The team of scientists suggested that the conditions may have been caused by a shift in the Earth's axis of rotation – something which occurs every 20,000 years and has an impact on the climate of the planet. It is believed that this shift could have resulted in a micro-climate in the Linhares area.

Following the research, the team of scientists are hoping that the study will clearly highlight the need for protected areas for both plants and wildlife in the Atlantic Forest. The findings could also help to predict how forests across the globe could react to future changes in the environment.

Edinburgh University's Antonio Alvaro Buso Junior told the BBC: “These ancient pollen grains are allowing us to unlock the secrets of the past and could help predict how this vital region will react in the future.

"Our study shows how plants responded to shifts in conditions and I hope we can now make the case for these precious ecosystems to receive greater protection,” he added.