Lonestar Lake

Vegetation History

The core at Lone Star Lake dates back to 1,200 cal. yr BP. Between 1,200- 860 cal. yr BP, jack-red pine (Pinus banksiana-Pinus resinosa) and oak (Quercus spp.) pollen were highest in prevalence with moderately high white pine (Pinus strobus) and oak as the core approaches 860 cal. yr BP. White pine pollen continued to increase as jack-red pine decreased and oak decreased to the lowest in the entire chronology. After European settlement, ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) pollen increased while white pine pollen percentages decreased. Oak, ragweed, and aspen (Populus spp.) continued to rise during this most recent period.

Fire History

The charcoal record at this site is similar to Lily Lake, with relatively high influx levels and an average fire return interval of 79 - 85 years. At Lone Star Lake, however, charcoal decreased earlier at 830 cal. yr BP as white pine increased at that time. Charcoal signatures changed at approximately 750 cal. yr BP and at approximately 1300 cal. yr BP. Before 780 cal. yr BP, high-frequency charcoal records were noted. Fewer charcoal records extend to before 1500 cal. yr BP, but there are roughly contemporaneous changes in charcoal signature types at Lone Star at approximately 1600 cal. yr BP and approximately 3500 cal. yr BP. Both total and grass charcoal increased from 600 cal. yr BP to European settlement before the white pine pollen increase that followed settlement.