ID:
S_156
Cave Archives and Climate Clues: Decoding Past Environments through Biotic and Abiotic Proxies
Lead Convener
Sadhan Kumar Basumatary Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, 53-University Road, Lucknow, India. sadhankumar_basumatary@bsip.res.in
Co Convener(s)
Swati Tripathi Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, India. swati.tripathi@bsip.res.in Biswajeet Thakur Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, India. biswajeet_thakur@bsip.res.in
Session Keywords
Cave, Environmental analysis, Human activities, Monsoonal variation
Commission
HABCOM
Abstract Category
Caves
Session Description
Caves offer exceptional palaeoenvironmental records, serving as natural repositories where biological and abiotic components accumulate over thousands of years. Guano preserves exceptional biogeochemical signatures that provide insights into palaeovegetation and climate variability. Complementary sedimentological and geochemical analyses of cave infills further illuminate shifts in hydrology, erosion patterns, and anthropogenic impacts over time. This session emphasizes a multiproxy approach integrating stable isotopes, mineralogy, radiometric dating, and microfossil analyses, to reconstruct palaeoecology with high resolution. Special focus will be given to studies where cave-based records remain sparse but are crucial to understanding Holocene climate variability, and the history of human-environment interactions. We invite contributions that highlight innovative methodologies, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and regional case studies. This session aims to highlight recent advances and foster dialogue among researchers in palaeoclimatology, palynology, geochemistry, and archaeology, encouraging broader use of cave archives in global research.
