Stable Carbon Isotopes Applied to Vegetation Reconstruction in the Teotihuacan Valley, Mexico

Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan reveals significant variability in vegetation composition during its pre-Hispanic occupation (ca. AD 1-650). Stable carbon isotope analysis (δ13C) of soil organic matter (SOM) indicates a predominance of C4-CAMS plants, particularly in the Tlajinga and San Pablo regions, while phytolith analysis shows varying proportions of C3 and C4 grasses. This suggests that local environmental conditions influenced vegetation dynamics, with C4-CAMS plants dominating SOM but C4 grass phytoliths exhibiting greater variability. The study combines isotopic and phytolith data to reconstruct past vegetation changes in the Teotihuacan Valley, offering insights into the region's ecological response to irrigation and other anthropogenic factors.

McClung de Tapia, E., & Adriano, C. C. (2012). Stable Carbon Isotopes Applied to Vegetation Reconstruction in the Teotihuacan Valley, Mexico. Boletín de La Sociedad Geológica Mexicana, 64(2), 161–169. https://doi.org/10.18268/bsgm2012v64n2a1