Zastosowanie subfosylnych szczątków ochotkowatych (Diptera: Chironomidae) w badaniach nad paleoklimatem i rekonstrukcją zmian w środowisku

Abstrakt

Summary Water sediments are good indicators of past conditions. Studies on sub-fossil chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae) have a special significance in the paleolimnology. Geographical distribution of chironomids is closely related to air temperatures changing in high latitudes and altitudes in a long time period. For this reason Chironomids are excellent indicators used as a modern tool in the paleoclimate reconstruction, especially past July mean temperatures. Fossil remains of these midges allow us to recon-struct climatic conditions from the beginning of the Holocene. Among others achievements, they have contributed to indicating the previously unrecognized cold events and water temperature north-south gradients in east Canada coast during the last deglaciation. The changes in non-biting midges sub-fossil communities that occurred in a relatively short time period (through the last two centuries) are helpful in showing the impact of pollution on water life. Nowadays paleolimnology is a scientific discipline that shows dynamic progress. Increased knowledge about them will provide answers to main questions concerning present climate.