Plant macrofossil data for 48-0 ka in the USGS North American Packrat Midden Database, version 5.0

Area of Science:

• Paleobotany
• Quaternary Science
• Environmental History

Background:

• Packrat middens preserve plant macrofossils, offering direct evidence of past arid North American vegetation.
• Understanding long-term vegetation dynamics is critical for conservation and climate change adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe version 5.0 of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) North American Packrat Midden Database.
• To provide an updated, standardized, and enriched dataset for paleovegetation research.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of published and contributed data from 3,331 packrat midden samples across North America.
• Inclusion of macrofossil counts, standardized relative-abundance data, calibrated radiocarbon ages, and plant functional type (PFT) assignments.
• Integration of World Wildlife Fund ecoregion, climate, and bioclimate data for each sample location.

Main Results:

• The database now includes 3,331 samples, spanning from 48,000 years ago to the present.
• Standardized data and PFT assignments facilitate cross-site comparisons and analyses.
• Geographic, climatic, and ecological context is provided for all sample sites.

Conclusions:

• Version 5.0 of the North American Packrat Midden Database is a valuable, comprehensive resource for studying past vegetation and climate change in arid regions.
• The enhanced data structure and associated environmental information improve its utility for diverse research applications.