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Quaternary Discussion Group (QDG)

A series of 50 minute lectures, followed by discussion, on the broad topic of environmental evolution, climate, ecological and human change during the Quaternary (the last ~2.6 million years). The lectures are aimed at a broad audience (including geoscientists, glaciologists, environmental scientists, atmospheric chemists, biologists, anthropologists and archaeologists).

Seminars are on Wednesdays in the Department of Geography Small Lecture Theatre (Downing Site), starting at 17:30. Refreshments are served after the talks and there is time for discussion over drinks and/or dinner.

QDG is currently organised by Jinheum Park and Isobel Rowell, supported by David Hodell, Christine Lane, Francesco Muschitiello and Eric Wolff. Please feel free to contact us with queries and suggestions.

To sign up to the QDG mailing list, follow this link:
https://lists.cam.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/soc-qdg-quaternary-disc-reminder

View the archive of previous seminars.

# Wednesday 24th April 2024, 5.30pm - Georgnia Falster, Australian National University
Title to be confirmed
Venue: Venue to be confirmed

Abstract not available

# Wednesday 15th May 2024, 5.30pm - Maarten Blaauw, Queen's University Belfast
Title to be confirmed
Venue: Venue to be confirmed

Abstract not available

# Wednesday 5th June 2024, 5.30pm - Vasiliki Margari, University College London
TBC
Venue: Harker 1, Department of Earth Sciences, Downing Street

Abstract not available

# Wednesday 12th June 2024, 5.30pm - Simon Haberle, Australian National University
Building doors are card operated, so latecomers may not be able to access the venue.
Palaeoecological Insights into the Causes and Consequences of Mid-Late Quaternary Megafauna Extinction in Asia and Australia
Venue: Venue to be confirmed

Mid-Late Quaternary megafauna extinctions have long intrigued researchers seeking to understand the causes and consequences of these significant ecological events. What role did fluctuations in climate, shifts in vegetation composition, alterations in habitat distribution, and the impact of human settlement play in megafauna extinction? One way to help us better understand the role of environmental change in the extinction process is to use palaeoecological techniques (pollen, spore and charcoal analysis) combined with well resolved geochronological estimates to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental conditions that occur before, during, and after past megafauna extinctions. Here I present two palaeoecological case studies that provide insights into megafauna extinction in Asia and Australia: (i) the largest ever primate and one of the largest of the southeast Asian megafauna, Gigantopithecus blacki, that persisted in China from about 2.0 million years until the late middle Pleistocene when it became extinct, well before the appearance of Homo sapiens on the landscape, and (ii) the multiple extinctions of megafauna that occurred across Australia around 50,000-40,000 years ago that coincide with a time when people were present across the Australian landscape. This presentation underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches integrating palaeoecological, geochronological, archaeological, and climatological perspectives to unravel the complexities of past megafauna extinctions and inform strategies for mitigating future biodiversity crises.