Search Marsden awards 2008–2017

Recipient(s): Assoc Prof MS Allen | PI | The University of Auckland
Assoc Prof MN Evans | AI | University of Maryland
Dr AM Lorrey | AI | NIWA - The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd

Public Summary: Did a climate driven marine “eco-disaster” in the 14th century AD collapse Pacific fisheries, and spur Polynesian explorations to the east? Did fisheries recover? Could it happen again? Answering these questions requires fine-grained, precisely dated palaeoclimate and archaeological records from coincident areas, a combination currently lacking. We will generate these records and combine them with computer simulations, in the southern Cook Islands, the gateway to East Polynesia. Using geochemical data preserved in growth increments of corals, clams and fish “earbones” (otoliths), we will build a multi-proxy palaeoclimate reconstruction of conditions before, during and after the 14th century AD. These organisms also can be precisely dated using novel radiogenic (absolute) and sclerochronology (relative) techniques. Archaeofaunal studies at the same locale will combine experimental and conventional approaches to assess how climate affected specific prey and marine resource use generally. More complex interactions between climate, fisheries, and cultural behaviours will be explored using cutting-edge computer modelling programs, and outcomes compared with archaeological observations. Our research will provide a much needed palaeoclimate history for the last millennium of Polynesian settlement, one useful for understanding climate effects on human societies and their marine resources, and regional ocean-atmosphere dynamics - both with relevance to contemporary communities.

Recipient(s): Dr AM Lorrey | PI | NIWA - The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
Assoc Prof MN Evans | AI | University of Maryland
Dr AM Fowler | AI | The University of Auckland
Dr TW Horton | AI | University of Canterbury
Prof DA Schrag | AI | Harvard University

Public Summary: The Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and Little Ice Age (LIA) are widely documented climatic
excursions that profoundly impacted the Northern Hemisphere. MCA and LIA climate and weather
history illustrates the range of natural variability and extremes that are possible, which is required
knowledge for successful adaptation to global climate change. However, MCA-LIA characteristics
are poorly understood for New Zealand. To address this knowledge gap, we will use the chemistry of precisely dated kauri tree rings to open New Zealand's pre-historic climate and weather log book. High-resolution chemical signatures unlocked from the iconic kauri are expected to shed light on
past climate variability and storm activity for a pivotal Southern Hemisphere location. The
previously untold MCA and LIA story extracted from kauri will help clarify the triggers of abrupt
climate shifts, and highlight the significance of global circulation reorganisations for New Zealand.