Pollen results and 210Pb-137Cs age model for Yanwan section, eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Little attention has been paid to the post-seismic ecological recovery process, largely due to the lack of suitable geological archives and indexes. We selected the Yanwan section, relatively stable wetlands near the epicenter to carry out detailed palynological analysis in order to document the post-seismic vegetation succession and ecological recovery processes.

Based on robust 210Pb-137Cs age model, the earthquake event was constrained and characteristic pollen assemblages were found. The earthquake caused great damage to natural vegetation. Moreover, with increasing human activities, the degradation of vegetation seems irreversible.