Post-Little Ice Age warming and desiccation of the continental wetlands of the aeolian sheet in the Huelva region (SW Spain)

摘要

During the last few decades, studies have been performed and evidence has been found concerning the importance of the climatic period known as the “Little Ice Age” (mid 15th century through late 19th century). However, most of the studies have been focused to more northern latitudes and, therefore, scarce studies have still been made on the Mediterranean latitudes. In this paper, an analysis is made of the effects of the post-Little Ice Age warming and on its consequences upon the continental aquatic ecosystems of the Doñana coastal area and its surroundings. The results of such analysis evidence that the end of this period –climatically more benign in our latitudes– implied the start of an irreversible regression and disappearance of a large part of the most typical wetlands in the SW of the Iberian Peninsula. The significant impact of the human exploitation of natural resources in the area has masked the effect of this recent climatic change. Furthermore, when compared with those from other latitudes, the results of this analysis evidence the global or supraregional features of the impact caused by the post-Little Ice Age warming. Additionally, these results are useful for indicating which will be the future changing trends in the wetlands under study as a result of global warming.