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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1999; v. 163; p. 163-178;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.163.01.14
© 1999 Geological Society of London

Recent Floodplain Evolution and Deposits

Biotic response to late Holocene floodplain evolution in the River Irthing catchment, Cumbira

J. A. Cotton1, G. L. Heritage2, A. R. G. Large1 & D. G. Passmore1

1 Department of Geography, Daysh Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK Jacqueline.Cotton{at}newcastle.ac.uk
2 Department of Geography, Peel Building, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WP, UK

This paper presents some results of a geomorphological and palaeoecological evaluation of late Holocene floodplain evolution at a site in the middle reaches of the River Irthing, a tributary of the River Eden, near Brampton, Cumbria, UK. Geomorphological mapping and survey have identified a minimum of seven Holocene alluvial terraces in this reach, each with well-defined palaeochannels developed on their surfaces. Sediment coring and radiocarbon dating of selected channel fills indicate that a large proportion of the Holocene valley floor has been deposited during and after the 3rd millennium BC. Detailed sedimentological and macrofossil analyses undertaken on late Holocene channel fill sediments reveal spatial and temporal variability in patterns of local vegetation development within palaeochannel environments. These reflect local changes in hydrology, the character and rates of sedimentation, and levels of disturbance. Results are interpreted in the context of regional records of Holocene climate and land-use change, as well as existing models of floodplain vegetation succession. The advantages of taking a holistic approach to palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and the utilization of macrofossils are discussed.