Laboratory experiments on testate amoebae preservation in peats: Implications for palaeoecology and future studies

Abstract

Testate amoebae analysis has been shown to be a valuable technique to reconstruct peatland palaeohydrology and thereby past climate change. However there is cause for concern over the potential impact of differential preservation on the record. To investigate the impact of various environmental factors a sequence of Sphagnum samples were subjected to treatment with weak acid, nutrient enrichment and desiccation over 28-months and shorter-term experiments with stronger acids. Changes were subtle but statistically signifi cant with three treatments: long-term dessication and short-term acid treatment at two different concentrations. Results suggest that in dry periods the palaeoecological record may be skewed by differential preservation of tests, potentially leading to over-estimation of water table depths.