noaa-other-8698 eng; USA utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology Data Center Contact 828-271-4800 303-497-6513 325 Broadway, E/NE31 Boulder CO 80305-3328 USA paleo@noaa.gov pointOfContact 2024-04-26 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Southwest Africa Rock Hyrax Midden Isotope Data 2009-08-01 publication doi:10.25921/xpfq-sv08 noaa-other-8698 NCEI DSI 1200_02 NCEI DSI 1200_01 Chase, B.M. originator Chase, B.M. author Meadows, M.E. originator Meadows, M.E. author Scott, L. originator Scott, L. author Thomas, D.S.G. originator Thomas, D.S.G. author Marais, E. originator Marais, E. author Sealy, J. originator Sealy, J. author Reimer, P.J. originator Reimer, P.J. author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information publisher tableDigital This archived Paleoclimatology Study is available from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), under the World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology. The associated NCEI study type is Other Collections. The data include parameters of others with a geographic location of Namibia, Southern Africa. The time period coverage is from 11724 to -27 in calendar years before present (BP). See metadata information for parameter and study location details. Please cite this study when using the data. Data of past climate and environment derived from unusual proxy evidence. Parameter keywords describe what was measured in this data set. Additional summary information can be found in the abstracts of papers listed in the data set citations. completed NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology Data Center Contact 828-271-4800 303-497-6513 325 Broadway, E/NE31 Boulder CO 80305-3328 USA paleo@noaa.gov pointOfContact https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/webimages/pc-default-other.png Paleoclimatology - Other Collections PNG Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Paleoclimate Reconstructions theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2025 revision 22 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian earth science > paleoclimate > others theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2025 revision 22 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian PAGES 2k Network PAGES Africa 2k theme Continent > Africa > Southern Africa > Namibia > Klein Spitzkoppe > LATITUDE -21.8317 > LONGITUDE 15.1955 place DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2025 revision 22 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian otherRestrictions Cite as: Chase, B.M.; Meadows, M.E.; Scott, L.; Thomas, D.S.G.; Marais, E.; Sealy, J.; Reimer, P.J. (2009-08-01): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Southwest Africa Rock Hyrax Midden Isotope Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/xpfq-sv08. Accessed [date]. otherRestrictions Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose otherRestrictions None otherRestrictions Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site. A record of rapid Holocene climate change preserved in hyrax middens from southwestern Africa 2009 publication Chase, B.M., M.E. Meadows, L. Scott, D.S.G. Thomas, E. Marais, J. Sealy, and P.J. Reimer author Geology publisher https://doi.org/10.1130/G30053A.1 HTTPS Web Browser Associated Reference published 2009 Chase, B.M., M.E. Meadows, L. Scott, D.S.G. Thomas, E. Marais, J. Sealy, and P.J. Reimer, 2009: A record of rapid Holocene climate change preserved in hyrax middens from southwestern Africa. Geology, 37, 703-706, 10.1130/G30053A.1 information crossReference sciencePaper eng; USA geoscientificInformation Date Range: 11724 cal yr BP to -27 cal yr BP; 15.1955 15.1955 -21.8317 -21.8317 Study Coordinates -21.8317 15.1955 -9774 1977 STUDY NOTES: Please contact principle investigator Brian Chase to obtain these data. Stable isotope data (d13C and d15N) from three Rock Hyrax middens on the south-facing flank of Klein Spitzkoppe, western-central Namibia, Southern Africa (21.8317°S, 15.1955°E). The d13C values vary between -23.4 per mil and -17.0 per mil (Figure 2). As a representation of hyrax diet, these variations primarily reflect the proportion of C3 plants (in this environment, generally trees and shrubs) versus C4 plants (generally grasses) with average d13C value of ~-26 per mil and ~-12per mil respectively (Codron et al., 2007; Smith and Epstein, 1971). Observations indicate that hyraxes consume an exceptionally wide range of plants (as many as 79 species of grass, shrubs, and trees), but prefer grasses to the leaves and bark of trees and shrubs (Hoeck, 1975). In xeric savannah regions such as at Spitzkoppe, however, the latter become an important part of their diet during dry periods when grass is scarce (Hoeck, 1975). Considering this, it is expected that during times of less or less regular rains d13C values would become relatively lower as hyraxes come to depend increasingly on the arboreal taxa that can access reserves of groundwater (Walker et al., 1981). Overall, the d13C records obtained from these middens suggest that marked seasonality has been a part of the region's rainfall regime throughout the Holocene, with C3 plants consistently constituting a significant part of the animals' diet. The d15N values vary from 13.4 to 7.4 per mil. The potential of nitrogen stable isotope compositions as a climatic indicator has long been recognised, but studies of modern ecosystems have produced complex data sets, that have proved difficult to interpret (e.g. Heaton, 1987; Heaton et al., 1986). Among herbivores, 15N abundance in animal tissues is strongly influenced by climate, diet and/or physiology (Ambrose and DeNiro, 1986; Heaton et al., 1986). While early studies focused on the possible effects that animal metabolism would have on the signal (Ambrose and DeNiro, 1986), subsequent studies of d15N values in plants across aridity gradients have indicated that it may not be necessary to look towards herbivore metabolism for the link between d15N values and rainfall, as clear correlations are identified between higher d15N values and decreased rainfall in both C3 and C4 plants (Heaton, 1987; Murphy and Bowman, 2006; Swap et al., 2004) and soils (Aranibar et al., 2004). Murphy and Bowman's (2006) spatially-extensive studies of d15N values in both grass and kangaroo bone from across Australia reveal a remarkably consistent relationship between plant and bone d15N signals, suggesting that water availability, through its influence on the isotopic signature of plants/diet, is the primary control on animal d15N with metabolism having no clear effect ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: The discovery of sensitive paleoenvironmental proxies contained within fossilized rock hyrax middens from the margin of the central Namib Desert, Africa, is providing unprecedented insight into the region's environmental history. High-resolution stable carbon and nitrogen isotope records spanning 0-11,700 cal (calibrated) yr B.P. indicate phases of relatively humid conditions from 8700-7500, 6900-6700, 5600-4900, and 4200-3500 cal yr B.P., with a period of marked aridity occurring from 3500 until ca. 300 cal yr B.P. Transitions between these phases appear to have occurred very rapidly, often within <200 years. Of particular importance are: (1) the observed relationship between regional aridification and the decline in Northern Hemisphere insolation across the Holocene, and (2) the significance of suborbital scale variations in climate that covary strongly with fluctuations in solar forcing. Together, these elements call for a fundamental reexamination of the role of orbital forcing on tropical African systems, and a reconsideration of what factors drive climate change in the region. The quality and resolution of these data far surpass any other evidence available from the region, and the continued development of this unique archive promises to revolutionize paleoenvironmental studies in southern Africa. 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Native Format(s) https://doi.org/10.25921/xpfq-sv08 HTTPS Landing Page Metadata Landing Page NCEI landing page with general information and links to access the data. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/paleo-search/study/8698 HTTPS Web Browser NOAA Study Page Study page with data access information. search https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/paleoclimatology/other-collections HTTPS Information NCEI Other Collections Page General information for this data type. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/midden/africa/spitzkoppe2009iso.xls HTTPS Download NCEI Direct Download Direct download links for dataset files. download https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/midden/africa/spitzkoppe2009iso.txt HTTPS Download NCEI Direct Download Direct download links for dataset files. download asNeeded This ISO metadata record was translated from DIF metadata using dif-9x-to-iso-19115-2.xsl Version: 2022-06-21