New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract

Radiocarbon dates for Holocene fires and associated events, Canterbury, New Zealand

C. J. BURROWS

Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract  The fire history and associated geomorphic and pedologic events are interpreted from radiocarbon-dated horizons from three locations in Canterbury. In each case there are three superimposed palaeosols separated by relatively thick inorganic deposits. The stratigraphy indicates that periods of stability, when soils formed, were followed by periods of erosion and sediment accumulation after fire had removed vegetation. Conventional radiocarbon dates for some of the palaeosols, and dates for fire (either on the internal evidence, or by correlation with dated sites nearby) are: Bush Creek, Lake Stream catchment, Arrowsmith Range 8880 +/- 60 yr B.P. (Wk-2637), 5910 +/- 60 yr B.P. (Wk-3451); Ribbonwood Creek, Cass basin, Waimakariri catchment 2547 +/- 66 yr B.P. (NZ-7519); Jumped-up Downs, Erewhon Station, Rangitata catchment 940 +/- 100 yr B.P. (Wk-3452). All but the youngest of these dates are for fires prior to the Polynesian invasion of New Zealand. These and other published accounts indicate that fires were extensive in the eastern South Island at intervals throughout the Holocene. Younger, undated soils at Ribbonwood Creek and Jumped-up Downs each have abundant charcoal.

Keywords  superimposed palaeosols; fossil wood; charcoal; natural fires; pre-human; Polynesian; erosion; deposition

B95014

Received 5 April 1995; accepted 28 September 1995

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