Faunal and Floral Analyses

Pollen, foraminifers, ostracodes, and mollusks were analyzed using the processing procedures described in Ishman and others (1998), Cronin and others, (2001), Brewster- Wingard and others, (2001), and Willard and others (2001), respectively. Sampling intervals varied from 2-cm to 10-cm spaced samples depending on chronology, stratigraphy, and time constraints (Table 3). Faunal data were converted to percent abundance for comparisons.

Pollen:

Pollen assemblages from No Name Bank (GLW402-NN-A), Featherbed Bank (GLW402-FB-A), and Card Bank (GLW402-CB-A), cores were analyzed at 10-cm intervals, identified into 37 taxonomic categories, to reconstruct past vegetation changes on land adjacent to the bay.

Foraminifera:

A total of 71 samples at 2 cm intervals were picked for foraminifera from the ≥ 63 µ fraction of the No Name Bank Core (GLW402 NNB). Preliminary analyses were conducted on 20 samples selected at approximately 8 cm intervals. A total of 300 foraminifera were picked from each sample when possible, otherwise all the foraminifera present in the sample were picked. The results from the preliminary report (20 samples) presented the data showing absolute counts and relative abundances of 55 taxonomic groups (species and species groups [spp.]). From the preliminary analyses it was determined that 100 specimens would result in the same conclusions as those achieved using total counts of 300 and increase the efficiency of the analyses by allowing 3 times as many samples to be analyzed, increasing the temporal resolution of the results. The subsequent counts of the additional 51 samples produced 91 taxonomic groups within the core. In order to compare the data from the preliminary analyses, using 300 counts, and the subsequent analyses, using 100 counts when possible, the data was standardized using the log normal transform. This method is used because of the different scales used for the counts. For final comparison to ostracode and mollusk data, benthic foraminifer data were converted to percent abundance. No significant differences were noted between log-normal and percent abundance plots.

Ostracoda:

Sixty-eight samples from No Name (GLW402 NNB) were analyzed at 2-cm intervals. One hundred specimens were picked from ≥ 150 µ fraction and sorted into eleven taxonomic categories representing either indicator species, genera or groups having similar ecological preferences.

Mollusca:

Samples from No Name (GLW402 NNB) and Featherbed Bank (GLW402 FB) Cores were analyzed at 8-cm intervals for molluscan faunal assemblages. All mollusks ≥ 850 µ were picked, sorted, and classified into one of nine preservation categories and 79 taxonomic categories. The data presented here represent all specimens counted, excluding worn specimens and fragments, which may be more indicative of transport rather than in situ conditions.