DISTRIBUTION OF PLANT MACROREMAINS IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF MARION LAKE, SOUTHWESTERN BRITISH-COLUMBIA

30 surface sediment samples were collected from Marion Lake to establish the present-day distribution patterns of potential plant macrofossils, with emphasis on remains derived from upland species. Sample sites could be separated into three distinct groups on the basis of their macrofossil representation: offshore sites, west shore sites, and east shore sites. Significantly fewer macrofossils were found in offshore sites than in nearshore sites. East shore sites had fewer forest macrofossils because of the presumed filtering effect of a bordering sedge marsh. A major inlet stream (Jacob's Creek) brings in many macroremains and appears to be the major source of Alnus rubra seeds ands foliage of Abies amablis and Pinus monticola. This surface sediment study provided insights valuable to the interpretation of a postglacial macrofossil record in a companion study. -from Authors