Mangrove ecosystems as indicators for environmental change (Oman, Indian Ocean)

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The project aims at the quantification of climate change during the Holocene in Oman. We propose to use paleo-mangrove deposits as archives. The mangrove species composition is sensitive for environmental conditions, especially sea surface temperature, salinity and sea level. Preliminary field investigations have proven the existence of such deposits. The methods proposed include standard geological fieldwork and sedimentological/geochemical analyses of the samples. Additionally, we perform palynological investigations in order to conclude on the species composition. We further plan to test samples on environmental DNA to conclude on the presence of mangrove specific genetic sequences. As a result, we expect to be able to quantify changes in precipitation over the last ca 6 000 years. We hypothesise that these changes are related to a southward shift of the inter tropical convergence zone and related monsoon belts.