Biomarker analysis of soil archives

Molecular biomarkers are a relatively new proxy in reconstructions of past environments and land-use change. Principles of biomarker analysis are explained. Three examples are elaborated to illustrate the application of biomarker analysis in combination with other proxies: (1) establishment of the Holocene upper forest line position in a deforested landscape in Ecuador, (2) understanding of soil stratigraphy and past disturbance in soil profiles in the Netherlands, and (3) reconstruction of a sediment-infill of a dead meander in a cultivated lowland area in the Dominican Republic. Molecular biomarkers analysis is in need of expanded modern calibration datasets. In combination with more traditional proxies biomarker analysis may improve environmental reconstructions from sediment archives substantially.