A middle Wisconsin pollen record from Hay Lake,Arizona

The lower part of a 5-m core from Hay Lake (34°N, 109° 25′W) at 2780 m in east-central Arizona provides a pollen record for the middle Wisconsin. Identification of fossil pines is based on a key modified from Hansen and Cushing (1973, Geological Society of America Bulletin84, 1181–1200). Pinus edulis and P. monophylla are similar in size and morphology but are significantly different from P. flexilis. Haploxylon pines dominate the pollen record. The abundance of pinyon pines during the middle Wisconsin is interpreted as indicating that this group was widespread at lower elevations. The local vegetation was mixed conifer forest consisting of Picea, P. aristata, P. flexilis and/or P. strobiformis, and with P. ponderosa and/or P. contorta after about 26,000 yr B.P. Tree line was above the elevation of Hay Lake. The middle Wisconsin climate is inferred to have been cooler than today and is marked by more available moisture that permitted pinyon pines to grow at low elevations.