International Research Workshop: Peatland Archives of Holocene Climate Variability

17-21 May 2009, at Vihula, Estonia

Workshop goals

  1. Assess the current state of the art in peatland paleoclimatology and paleoecology, with emphasis on Holocene records capable of multidecadal resolution and sensitivity
  2. Identify critical research needs and priorities in peatland paleoclimatology
  3. Develop a comprehensive science agenda for peatland paleoclimatology, including improvement of chronologies, refinement of proxies, and coordinated plans for development of a synoptic network using consistent methodologies.

 

Agenda (updated with links to presentations on 22 May 2009)

17 May

After 1200: arrivals

After 1600: registration

Reception & dinner

 

18 May

0830-0900 Introductions of participants

0900-0930 Workshop goals, agenda, logistics (Jackson, Karofeld) (Jackson.pdf) (Karofeld.pdf)

0930-0950 Plenary talk: van Geel: history and prospectus for peatland records (vanGeel.pdf)

0950-1010 Plenary talk: Booth: peatland records and paleohydrology (Booth.pdf)

1010-1030 Plenary talk: Charman: challenges in peatland paleoscience (Charman.pdf)

1030-1050 Coffee break

1050-1110 Plenary talk: Nichols: organic and isotope geochemistry (Nichols.pdf)

1110-1130 Plenary talk: Blaauw: age estimation in peatland records (Blaauw.pdf)

1130-1150 Plenary talk: Korhola: comparing peatland records with other archives (Korhola.pdf)

1150-1200 Break

1200-1300 Lunch

1300-1320 Plenary talk: Tuittila: modern peatland dynamics and processes (cancelled)

1320-1340 Plenary talk: Beilman: carbon and peatland dynamics (Beilman.pdf)

1340-1400 Plenary talk: Harrison: peatland records and paleoclimate models (Harrison.pdf)

1400-1440 Plenary discussion, breakout charges

1440-1500 Coffee break

1500-1730 Breakout group discussions

I: Archives, Proxies, & Responses

  • Group Ia: Development and refinement of proxies
    • Leader: Frank Chambers Rapporteur: Dimitri Mauquoy (Group1a.pdf)
  • Group Ib: Peatland-system responses to climate change
    • Leader: Dan Charman Rapporteur: Ilka Bauer (Group1b.pdf)
  • Group Ic: Chronology, dating, and age models
    • Leader: Maarten Blaauw Rapporteur: Graeme Swindles (Group1c.pdf)
  • Group Id: Carbon dynamics in peatlands
    • Leader: David Beilman Rapporteur: Eevastiina Tuitilla (Group1d.pdf)

Evening Dinner

 

19 May

0800-1200 Field excursion to local peatland: discussion of dynamics and records (Karofeld, Sillasoo, Veski) (see aerial photo)

1200-1300 Picnic lunch in (or near) peatlands

1300-1500 Breakout discussions I continued

1500-1520 Coffee break

1520-1730 Plenary: Breakout reports & general discussion

Evening: Dinner

 

20 May

0830-1030 Breakout discussions II: Integration of archives and proxies

  • Group IIa: Building data networks of peatland archives
    • Leader: Paul Hughes Rapporteur: Bob Booth (Group2a.pdf)
  • Group IIb: Linking peatland archives with process studies
    • Leader: Michelle Garneau Rapporteur: Minna Väliranta
  • Group IIc: Integrating peatland archives with earth-system models
    • Leader: Sandy Harrison Rapporteur: Simon Brewer (Group2c.pdf)
  • Group IId: Integrating peatland archives with other Holocene archives
    • Leader: Fraser Mitchell Rapporteur: Gill Plunkett (Group2d.pdf)

1030-1050 Coffee break

1050-1200 Breakout discussions II continued

1200-1300 Lunch

1300-1500 Plenary: Breakout reports and general discussion

1500-1520 Coffee break

1520-1730: Plenary: Delineate products and plans for continuation of initiative

Evening: Dinner

 

21 May

Departures