Description: Sediments are washed into lakes and accumulate through time. Like marine sediments, lake sediments offer a variety of climate proxies. Carbon and hydrogen isotope analysis of molecular fossils like leaf waxes (coming from the protective coat on the leaves of plants) can be used to infer changes in the landscape and the water cycle. The fossilised remains of insects can be used to infer past climate. Grains of pollen from flowering plants are preserved in lake sediments, and can be used to infer changes in both vegetation and climate. The amount of charcoal in lake sediments can be used to infer changes in fire frequency and intensity.