Paleoecology of Neotropical savannas Northern South America

Understanding the interactions between plants and their environment, both in the present and the past, is crucial for predicting future climate change scenarios. Qualitative reconstructions of these interactions in the past primarily rely on analyzing lake or peat sediment records. This analysis includes studying indicators such as pollen, spores, macrofossils, and charcoal. On the other hand, quantitative reconstructions of past land cover changes are achieved through pollen-based vegetation modeling schemes. These models, applied in the northern hemisphere, particularly in Europe and Asia, assume wind as the primary mechanism for pollen dispersal. However, this assumption may not hold in tropical regions, where insect pollination predominates and water, rather than air, is likely the main vector for pollen deposition in lakes. To adapt and apply pollen-based vegetation modeling schemes to tropical areas, it is essential first to investigate the relative contributions of water and air to pollen deposition in tropical lakes. This research will focus on the Neotropical savanna ecosystems of northern South America, specifically the Llanos Orientales. We plan to sample approximately 30 lakes across the Colombian Llanos and examine the surrounding vegetation at each site. This will help us understand the relationship between pollen and vegetation, paving the way for more accurate ecological reconstructions in tropical regions.