Effect of diet, anthropogenic activity, and climate on δ 15 N values of cave bat guano
Abstract Few studies have attributed δ15N values of guano to a factor other than diet. A δ15N record obtained from a 1.5-m core of bat guano deposit from Zidită Cave (western Romania) provides a record of anthropogenic and climatic influence on the regional nitrogen pool. Nitrogen content is nearly constant (%N > 9) for over 1 m of the core, indicating limited diagenesis. The δ15N and δ13C time series are compared and the δ15N is also interpreted in light of previously published pollen assemblage from the same core. Using these comparisons the influence of anthropogenic activity and water availability is interpreted. Although some δ15N variation can be attributed to major changes in anthropogenic activities, additional variation implies an alternative control. The correlation between δ15N and δ13C values is significant (p