71
(average 4 species) was very low. This middle DI can be interpreted as the sedimentary record deposited during the environmental regeneration of the former agricultural soil. The uppermost 13 cm (DI 1) were dominated by E. macrescens (average
57%) and S. moniliformis (average 31%), followed by T. inflata (average 8%), A.
mexicana (average 2%), and M. fusca (average 2%) as secondary species. Species
number was low (average 6 species) and similar to the previous interval.
Foraminiferal density was very high (mean 5635 tests/50 g). This top interval represents the modern regenerated salt-marsh environment.
Fig. 2.18 Geographical location (yellow dot) of the Isla core in historical (1957: left side) and
modern (2009: right side) aerial photography (Modified from Cearreta et al. 2013)
Fig. 2.19 Core photograph, sand content (%), main foraminiferal species (1: A. mexicana; 2: E.
macrescens; 3: M. fusca; 4: S. moniliformis; 5: T. inflata) (%), and foraminiferal density/50 g of
bulk dry sediment with depth (cm) in the Isla salt-marsh core (Urdaibai estuary). Black dots in the
foraminiferal species profiles represent samples with less than 100 tests. Depth intervals (DIs) are
shown (Modified from Cearreta et al. 2013)
2 Recent Agricultural Occupation and Environmental Regeneration of Salt...
(average 4 species) was very low. This middle DI can be interpreted as the sedimentary record deposited during the environmental regeneration of the former agricultural soil. The uppermost 13 cm (DI 1) were dominated by E. macrescens (average
57%) and S. moniliformis (average 31%), followed by T. inflata (average 8%), A.
mexicana (average 2%), and M. fusca (average 2%) as secondary species. Species
number was low (average 6 species) and similar to the previous interval.
Foraminiferal density was very high (mean 5635 tests/50 g). This top interval represents the modern regenerated salt-marsh environment.
Fig. 2.18 Geographical location (yellow dot) of the Isla core in historical (1957: left side) and
modern (2009: right side) aerial photography (Modified from Cearreta et al. 2013)
Fig. 2.19 Core photograph, sand content (%), main foraminiferal species (1: A. mexicana; 2: E.
macrescens; 3: M. fusca; 4: S. moniliformis; 5: T. inflata) (%), and foraminiferal density/50 g of
bulk dry sediment with depth (cm) in the Isla salt-marsh core (Urdaibai estuary). Black dots in the
foraminiferal species profiles represent samples with less than 100 tests. Depth intervals (DIs) are
shown (Modified from Cearreta et al. 2013)
2 Recent Agricultural Occupation and Environmental Regeneration of Salt...