A late quaternary pollen sequence from blacktail pond, Yellowstone national park, Wyoming, U.S.A.

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Abstract
The pollen record at Blacktail Pond provides evidence for the vegetational development of the lowest and driest site yet reported in Yellowstone National Park (elev. 2,018 m). The record begins shortly after deglaciation, over 14,000 yr B.P. (before present). Tundra‐like vegetation initially covered the area but was succeeded by Picea parkland. A Picea‐Pinus albicaulis‐Pinus contorta forest developed at about 11,800 yr B.P. Gradually, as the climate became warmer and drier, the forest opened and P. contorta became more prevalent. From 6,700 to 1600 yr B.P. Pseudotsuga parkland grew in the vicinity of the site, indicating a maximum of warmth and dryness. After 1,600 yr B.P., the climate again became somewhat cooler and moister, and although the Blacktail Pond valley has remained a Pseudotsuga parkland, P. contorta now also occurs in scattered groves, and it probably grows at lower elevations than it did prior to 1,600 yr B.P. A volcanic ash at 4.6 m correlates stratigraphically with the basal ash at Cub Creek pond, whose chemistry suggests a Glacier Peak B ash. We suggest that, based on stratigraphic position, the ash may be an unrecognized Glacier Peak unit older than 14,000 yr B.P.