6. Conclusions
Integration of the multiple datasets in the three GCs permitted the identification of the direct link between delta landscape and vegetation dynamics in the eastern (GC1), central (GC2), and western (GC3) parts of the Late Quaternary Niger Delta. The study clearly identified two time-bound stages (1 and 2) of delta evolution as inputs for interpreting seasonal variations in climate and sea level change. The major findings are as follow:
  1. Stage 1 linked the period from 20-11.7 ka to higher influx of hinterland pollen, slow sedimentation on the prodelta, sea level fall. and drier climate in the Niger Delta.
  2. Stage 2 (11.7-6.5 ka) indicated a phase of expansion of the littoral realm/mangrove vegetation, higher sedimentation rate on the delta front, sea level rise, and warm climate.
  3. The changes in the geochemical ratios during the two phases of sedimentation provided the first clarification on the timing between seasonal variation in vegetation, sediment supply, and palaeoenvironmental settings (lower / upper shoreface) in the Niger Delta.
  4. Sea level change was apparently the major driver in the evolution of the Niger Delta based on the dominance of Rhizophora pollen recorded from the GCs during stage 2.
  5. The integrated datasets (e.g., mangrove and hinterland pollen, planktonic foraminifera, trace elemental ratios) provided a robust and coherent information for delineating the MIS2 (late glacial) and MIS1 (interglacial) boundary.