Analysis of Woodrad (Neotoma) Middens Found in Walnut Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona
Murdock L. 1997. Analysis of Woodrad (Neotoma) Middens Found in Walnut Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona. Northern Arizona University
Traditionally, elevational plant zonation has been the interpretive framework that has been used in paleobotanical studies. In recent years, however, plant records from woodrat (Neotoma) middens have provided a more complete and accurate record of vegetation history than pollen. Eight miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona in Walnut Canyon (elevation 6600') eight middens were removed, analyzed and radiocarbon dated. Vegetation transects were complete directly in front of the rock shelter or crevice from where the midden was removed. Comparisons were made between past vegetation (based on midden components) and current vegetation (based on calculations following the transects). The plant remains of the middens were compositionally similar to the modern vegetation. The proportion (ranking of taxa) was unusually similar to their proportion in the modern vegetation with the exception of a 3800 year old midden in which confer needles were more abundant.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Murdock, Lynne
- Date of Issue
- 1997-05
- Publisher
- Northern Arizona University
- Units
- WACA
- Keywords
- Middens, Neotoma, Packrat, thesis
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Paleontology | Paleontology