Vegetationsverhältnisse und Naturumwelt des Beckens Jestřebská kotlina am Ende des Spätglazials und im Holozän (Doksy-Gebiet)

The method of pollen analysis was used to study a profile sample taken from the Jest?ebské blato mire, the Doksy District (northern Bohemia). The aim of the palacobotanical analyses was to perform a reconstruction of vegetation and environment for geobotanical and archaeological research purposes. Sediments dating back to the end of the Late Glacial and to both the Early and Middle Holocene were pollenanalytically studied. The results of the pollen analyses recorded the development of vegetation during the end of the Late Glacial, Preboreal, Boreal and Atlantic Periods. Parkline pine stands of the end of the Late Glacial developed to closed pine forests, during the Preboreal. Even during the Boreal, the dominant pine formed forest communities were typical of the area under study, though trees with greater demands on temperature and moisture conditions continued to penetrate the existing communities. During the Lower and the first half of the Upper Atlantic Period, spruce forests and alder woods formed the dominant forest communities in mire. Nevertheless,Pinus was still dominant on extreme sites (both from the edaphic and geomorphological points of view). An early occurrence ofAlnus andPicea is another characteristic feature of the studied area. The conclusions drawn from pollenanalytical results were used for the reconstruction of the past environment of the Mesolithic and Neolithic Ages.     

Late Quaternary diatoms in the sediments of Przedni Staw Lake (Polish Tatra Mountains)

The paper presents a diatom succession in the Late Glacial and Holocene sediments of the Przedni Staw lake in the Pie Stawów Polskich Valley High Tatra Mts. Ten diatom phases are distinguished and presented against a pollen diagram from the analyzed core showing continuous sedimentation from the Oldest Dryas to the Subatlantic period. The diatom flora in the Late Glacial sediments is predominantly littoral — Fragilaria, Navicula, Nitzschia, Diploneis, Pinnularia and Amphora species. The Holocene sediments enclose more abundant planktonic species such as Cyclotella quadriiuncta, Asterionella formosa and Melosira distans.     

When east met west: the sub-fossil footprints of the west European hedgehog and the northern white-breasted hedgehog during the Late Quaternary in Europe

The distinct distribution of the west European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus and the northern white-breasted hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus and their separate refugial origins after the Pleistocene is a well-known example in the zoogeography of the Holarctic. Among the Late Quaternary faunal assemblages, the west European hedgehog is recorded at 269 sites whereas the northern white-breasted hedgehog is recorded only at 52 sites in Europe. The distribution patterns of the temporal and spatial Glacial records of the west European hedgehog show a general trend: a strong restriction to glacial refugia (the Iberian and Italian Peninsulas) during the Weichselian Glacial until the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, and a colonization of southern France during the early Late Glacial between 14 000 and 125 00 ¹⁴C years BP (15 000–12 800 cal. BC). Whereas the British Isles could have already been colonised by the end of the Pre-Boreal, in the rest of Central Europe E. europaeus was clearly distributed there in the Boreal for the first time. The west European hedgehog is an absolute Holocene faunal element in Central Europe. It appears in most parts of Central Europe during the Early Holocene, when the west European hedgehog met its eastern relative, which probably was similarly sensitive. After meeting each other, the distribution limit of both Erinaceus species in Central Europe seems to have been relatively constant in its geographic extent. Because of the clear climatic correlation, E. europaeus should be considered as an indicator species for temperate climatic conditions of the Holocene fauna. This should be considered during the reconstruction of climatic conditions with the help of the analysis of quaternary faunal material.     

Contribution to the flora history of the genus Polemonium with special reference to North Norway

A key for the identification of pollen of the European species of Polemonium is presented. Fossil pollen records from Norway are surveyed and discussed. The records available show that pollen is derived both from natural stands close to the shoreline, and from plants established as apophytes in grazed meadows. It is suggested that P. caeruleum is a Late Glacial element, which arrived from the south at least, but probably also from the northeast. Pollen of P. boreale -type has a wider distribution in the Late Weichselian, at least in northern Russia. A pollen diagram from Bodø illustrates the fossil record occurrence of Polemonium in a Late Holocene sequence.     

Entwicklung des Moores Mokré Louky bei Třeboň im Postglazial (Paläoökologische Studie)

The origin, age and development of a mire deposit in the locality of the Mokré Louky meadows near T?eboň were ascertained by means of palaeoecological methods. The first minerogenic sediments originated in a depression at the turn of the Late-Glacial and the Holocene Periods. In the course of minerogenic sedimentation, the vegetational cover was formed by stands ofFilipendula. In the middle of the Pre-Boreal Period, the first organic sediments formed by reed plant communities were deposited in the area. In the course of the following periods, plant communities of mire and marshy meadows belonging to the associations of the classScheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae predominated on the site. Stands of willow and alder trees were formed in some parts of the deposit most probably towards the end of the Atlantic Period, with their maximum development in the Sub-Boreal to Upper Sub-Atlantic Periods. Pollen analysis produced a more precise foundation for reconstructing the forest vegetation in the centre of the T?eboňská pánev Basin. A higher presence ofQuercus and a lower one ofFagus, as compared with the results of previous pollen analyses from the borders of the Basin, were ascertained. The palaeoecological analyses are supported by radiocarbon datings.     

Environmental changes clarified by pollen and diatom proxy records in the sedimentary archive of the northwestern Japan Sea during last 21.0 kyr

High-temporal resolution pollen and diatom records from the northwestern Japan Sea document environmental changes over the last 21.0 kyr. Vegetation and climate changes were evaluated using the forest-steppe (SFI) and the pollen temperature (T_p) indices. The highest SFI occurred between ca. 21.0 ka and 16.6 ka and indicates the presence of a relatively dry climate and large areas of forest-steppe in the region. Boreal forests covered the mountain slopes. The broad-leaved trees survived in refugia located in lower mountain belts. Beginning ca. 16.6 ka, SFI decreases, while T_p increases, especially between ca. 11.0 ka and 5.7 ka. However, variations in these indices indicate fluctuating climates during the deglaciation. Significant vegetation changes occurred in the Holocene. Mixed deciduous forests with a predominance of Quercus became widely present beginning ca. 9.8 ka. The area of forest-steppe was reduced occurring only in local habitats. Pinus became one of the most common taxa in the forest ca. 5.3 ka. The geographic features of the coring area have determined in the past the persistence throughout the record of cold-water diatom flora. Cold-water diatoms have dominated in both cool and warm intervals; however, a small increase in the percentage and species diversity of warm-water diatoms was noted for warming. Low sea level during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and early Holocene changed the general patterns in the sea circulation and in the vectors of the longshore currents, which transported the waters formed in the shallow areas of the northeastern and northern parts of the Japan Sea. A slight increase in sublittoral benthic diatoms indicates a lowered sea level during the LGM. The increase in sublittoral planktonic diatoms reflects a gradual rise in sea level during the Bølling–Allerød (BA) and Younger Dryas (YD). A greater component of oceanic diatom species at Holocene indicates the inflow of Pacific waters across both the Tsushima and Tsugaru straits. This study of pollen and diatom records demonstrates a clear response to climatic fluctuations and sea level changes in the Japan Sea during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene.     

Late Glacial and Holocene history of Plešné Lake and its surrounding landscape based on pollen and palaeoalgological analyses

Pollen analysis has been carried out on a 549 cm thick sediment profile from lake Ple?né jezero (Ple?né Lake) in the Bohemian Forest (?umava, Czech Republic; 1090 m a.s.l.; 48°47′ N; 13°52′ E). Analyses of 67 samples characterise the development of the lake biotope and the surrounding landscape during the last ca. 14,000 years. The pollen diagram shows a very distinct transition between the Late Glacial and the Holocene biostratigraphic units at a depth of ca. 312 cm. In the surroundings of Ple?né Lake the vegetation was treeless during the entire Late Glacial. The alpine tree limit, formed by Betula and Pinus with undergrowth of shrubs, might have been at ca. 500 m a.s.l. Pollen transported from long distances was significant due to the openness of the landscape, coming from southern Europe and even Africa, and including high numbers of Artemisia, Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, and some other herbs and shrubs from steppe and forest-steppe areas in southern Europe or Africa (likely Ephedra, certainly Lygeum spartum). The expansion of shrubs, particularly Juniperus, preceded the expansion of trees near the end of the Late Glacial. Afforestation of the region by thin stands of Betula and Pinus occurred during the Preboreal. Significant warming in the Boreal resulted in the expansion of Corylus, Quercetum mixtum (QM) trees, and probably also Picea and Alnus. Picea as well as QM trees were further expanding during the Early Atlantic. Picea was the dominant tree during the Late Atlantic and Fagus started to spread towards its end. Abrupt expansion of Abies marks the Subboreal. A high degree of afforestation (Abies, Fagus, Picea) was characteristic for the Early Subatlantic. During Late Subatlantic, pollen of synanthropic plants appears. Phases of the lake biotope development were defined on the basis of coccal green algae and Isoëtes.     

Late Quaternary environmental history of the south-eastern Tibetan Plateau inferred from the Lake Naleng non-pollen palynomorph record

A 17.81 m sediment core from Lake Naleng, a freshwater lake in the south-eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau was examined for its non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) composition. The frequencies of 15 NPPs and three aquatic pollen types were determined in 160 samples. Since the origin of several NPP types is still unknown, multivariate analysis, supported by findings from the corresponding fossil pollen flora, was carried out to extract information about their ecological environments. The analysis allowed a classification of all microfossils in four groups of environmental response, which provided an approach to tracing lake history and palaeoclimatic changes in the area since the Late Glacial (since 17,700 cal years b.p.). Unstable lake conditions and a low organic productivity were reconstructed for the Late Glacial before 14,600 cal years b.p. with high inputs of terrestrial material. Climate conditions became wetter during the Bølling/Allerød interval indicated by high productivity in the lake. After a short climate deterioration (12,500–11,500 cal years b.p.), stable lake conditions were inferred from the record. During the late Holocene (since 2,700 cal years b.p.) changes in the NPP composition might be related to human impact, the latter being inferred from the pollen data through the presence of grazing indicators.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cannabis</Emphasis> is indigenous to Europe and cultivation began during the Copper or Bronze age: a probabilistic synthesis of fossil pollen studies

Conventional wisdom states Cannabis sativa originated in Asia and its dispersal to Europe depended upon human transport. Various Neolithic or Bronze age groups have been named as pioneer cultivators. These theses were tested by examining fossil pollen studies (FPSs), obtained from the European Pollen Database. Many FPSs report Cannabis or Humulus (C/H) with collective names (e.g. Cannabis/Humulus or Cannabaceae). To dissect these aggregate data, we used ecological proxies to differentiate C/H pollen, as follows: unknown C/H pollen that appeared in a pollen assemblage suggestive of steppe (Poaceae, Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae) we interpreted as wild-type Cannabis. C/H pollen in a mesophytic forest assemblage (Alnus, Salix, Populus) we interpreted as Humulus. C/H pollen curves that upsurged and appeared de novo alongside crop pollen grains we interpreted as cultivated hemp. FPSs were mapped and compared to the territories of archaeological cultures. We analysed 479 FPSs from the Holocene/Late Glacial, plus 36 FPSs from older strata. The results showed C/H pollen consistent with wild-type C. sativa in steppe and dry tundra landscapes throughout Europe during the early Holocene, Late Glacial, and previous glaciations. During the warm and wet Holocene Climactic Optimum, forests replaced steppe, and Humulus dominated. Cannabis retreated to steppe refugia. C/H pollen consistent with cultivated hemp first appeared in the Pontic-Caspian steppe refugium. GIS mapping linked cultivation with the Copper age Varna/Gumelni?a culture, and the Bronze age Yamnaya and Terramara cultures. An Iron age steppe culture, the Scythians, likely introduced hemp cultivation to Celtic and Proto-Slavic cultures.     

The Allerød/Younger Dryas transition in Wolin Island, northwest Poland, as reflected by pollen, macrofossils, and chemical content of an organic layer separating two aeolian series

A palaeoecological study including pollen, macrofossils, and chemical analyses of an organic sediment separating two series of aeolian cover sands has enabled us to reconstruct environmental changes during the Allerød/Younger Dryas transition in Wolin Island, northwest Poland. The Allerød woodland dominated by Pinus sylvestris became more open at the beginning of the Younger Dryas, when aeolian (wind) activity resulted in instability of the soil. During the early phase of the Younger Dryas the water level in the local basin distinctly raised, indicating a change to a wetter climate. This short-lasting phase was followed by an increased frequency and intensity of aeolian processes. However, the main aeolian event took place before the major expansion of Juniperus, not later than 10,780±120 b.p. Frequent woodland fires, probably due to the activities of Palaeolithic people, have been documented both for the Allerød and the Younger Dryas periods. Macrofossils of Alnus sp. found in the Allerød layer are of special interest in showing the presence of alder trees in northwest Poland as early as the Late-glacial.     

High vegetation and environmental diversity during the Late Glacial and Early Holocene on the example of lowlands in the Czech Republic

The diversity of vegetation and the environment in the Late Glacial period in the Elbe region is illustrated by a comparison of three palynological localities. The localities differ in their history, profile lithology and position relative to the Elbe river. The Hrabanovská ?ernava profile holds a record of the development of a shallow lake, which was surrounded by a cold continental steppe in the Early Dryas. Evidence of a pine forest in the Late Glacial period is captured in the surroundings of the profile Chrást. The Mělnický úval — P?ívory locality is an interdune infill, where marl sediments redeposited in shallow water. The surrounding vegetation was diffuse and influenced by erosion. In the Early Holocene, the landscape was covered by an open birch-pine forest. Broad-leaved woody species appeared later. Localities in the Elbe region share a high proportion of Pinus throughout the Holocene as a result of the spread of drift and terrace sands. The human impact in the mid Holocene manifests as evidence of intensive charring of localities.     

Vegetation dynamics of south-western Italy in the last 28 kyr inferred from pollen analysis of a Tyrrhenian Sea core

A continuous pollen record covering the last 28 kyr was obtained from core C106 collected in the Bay of Salerno in the southern Tyrrhenian Basin, seven radiocarbon dates and the recognition of two tephra layers (Y3 and Pompeii Pumice) providing good chronological constraints. The clear climatic signal given by the pollen spectra integrated by isotopic data, combined with comparisons with other Mediterranean sites, allowed the Last Glacial, Late Glacial and Holocene periods to be distinguished in the core. In particular, the Last Glacial period is characterised by large quantities of herbaceous and steppe elements such as Artemisia. The beginning of the Late Glacial has been correlated with the first increase of deciduous Quercus and the reduction of steppe and herbaceous elements. The Younger Dryas event is recorded only by oxygen isotopes while the vegetation does not seem to change, as in other Mediterranean sites. The Holocene corresponds to rich deciduous and evergreen forests. The first features which could be interpreted as signs of human presence are represented by a few grains of Juglans, Castanea and cereal-type while intensive olive cultivation and deforestation seem to fall within the Middle Ages. Received October 10, 2001 / Accepted June 20, 2002 Correspondence to: Elda Russo Ermolli     

The 'oriental' component of the Balkan flora: evidence of presence on the Thracian Plain during the Weichselian late-glacial

Aim To obtain palaeobotanical evidence enabling evaluation of the viability of the hypothesis that the ‘oriental’ element of the Balkan flora reached south‐east Europe from Turkey prior to the Holocene, probably via the Thracian Plain during a late Quaternary glacial stage but no later than the late Weichselian. Location Ezero wetland, northern Thracian Plain, Bulgaria. Methods We undertook analyses of pollen and microspores, plant macrofossils, wood fragments and molluscs recovered from sediments deposited in the Ezero wetland during the late Weichselian and Weichselian late‐glacial. Sediment chronology was determined using radiocarbon age estimates. Results Six metres of sediments were recovered from the basin, of which the lower 3 m, extending from c. 15,450 cal yr bp to the early Allerød, was analysed. A major hiatus occurred after c. 13,900 cal yr bp , the overlying sediments being of late Holocene age. Palaeobotanical evidence indicates predominantly open vegetation during the Weichselian late‐glacial, although macrofossil remains of woody taxa demonstrate the local presence of patches of wooded steppe and gallery forest. Changes in the composition of the steppe vegetation, and in the nature of the sediments deposited in the basin, indicate changes in climatic conditions, especially in the hydrological regime and in the moisture available to vegetation. After an initially relatively moister phase, the final centuries of the late Weichselian were drier, as was a short interval that may correlate with the Older Dryas. Moister conditions characterize intervals corresponding to the Bølling and Allerød sub‐units of the Weichselian late‐glacial interstadial. Although the pollen evidence is thus consistent with that from previous studies of this period in south‐east Europe and south‐west Asia, indicating predominantly open steppe vegetation, the macrofossil evidence indicates the persistent local presence of woody taxa. The woody taxa recorded include Celtis tournefortii‐type and Juniperus cf. J. excelsa, two taxa today characteristic of the wooded steppes of Anatolia and members of the ‘oriental’ element of the southern Balkan flora, as well as Rosaceae Subfams. Maloideae and Prunoideae, Alnus and Fraxinus. Main conclusions The late Weichselian vegetation of the northern Thracian Plain included patches of wooded steppe that supported members of the ‘oriental’ element of the modern Balkan flora. The presence of such taxa renders viable the hypothesis that they could have reached south‐east Europe from Turkey via the Thracian Plain during glacial times. Such hypotheses in historical biogeography can be evaluated critically using the evidence obtained from plant macrofossil analyses in combination with that from pollen analysis.     

Present-day vegetation and the Holocene and recent development of Egelsee-Moor,Salzburg province,Austria

This paper describes the present-day vegetation, stratigraphy and developmental history of the mire of Egelsee-Moor (Salzburg, Austria; 45°45′N, 13°8.5′E, 700 m a.s.l., 15 ha in area) since the early Late Glacial on the basis of 4 transects with 14 trial borings across the peatland. We present a vegetation map of the mire, a longitudinal section through the peat body based on six cores showing the peat types, overview macrofossil diagrams of six cores showing the local mire development and two pollen diagrams covering the Late Glacial and Holocene. The chronology of the diagrams depends on biostratigraphic dating for the Late Glacial and early Holocene and radiocarbon dating for the remaining Holocene. The northern part of the mire originated through terrestrialisation of nutrient-rich, mostly inundated fen and the southern part through paludification of wet soils. The very small lake of today was a reservoir until recently for providing water-power for timber rafting (‘Holztrift’). The mire vegetation today is a complex of forested parts (mainly planted Pinus sylvestris and Thuja occidentalis, but also spontaneous Picea abies, Betula pubescens and Frangula alnus), reed-lands (Phragmites) and litter meadows (Molinietum, Schoenetum, etc.). The central part has hummock-hollow complexes with regionally rare species of transitional mires (Drosera anglica, D. intermedia, Lycopodiella inundata, Scorpidium scorpioides, Sphagnum platyphyllum, S. subnitens). The results indicate that some of the mid-Holocene sediments may have been removed by the timber-rafting practices, and that water extraction from the hydrological catchment since 1967 has resulted in a partial shift of transitional mire to ombrotrophic bog. The latter potentially endangers the regionally rare species and was used as an argument to stop further water extraction.     

The responses of benthic foraminifera to paleoceanographic changes during the last glacial maximum,deglaciation, and the Holocene in the northwestern Pacific

Based on the changes in the species composition, abundance, and species richness of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in sediments of the northwestern Pacific, we reconstructed the paleoenvironment (paleoproductivity and near-bottom water ventilation) during the period of 8000–19000 calendar years ago (ka). A moderate seasonal productivity of the surface water, a relatively high oxygen content of the near-bottom water, and the influence of sea ice occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum in the studied area. An increased primary production and suboxic conditions in the near-bottom water were typical of the cold Heinrich 1 event (17.5–14.7 ka). A further increase in surface-water productivity and a decrease in oxygen content of the near-bottom and pore waters have been reconstructed for the second half of the Bølling/Allerød interstadial (14.7–12.8 ka) and the Pre-Boreal (11.8–9.2 ka). Surface water productivity decreased and oxygen saturation of the near-bottom water increased during the Younger Dryas (12.8–11.8 ka). In the Middle Holocene, the total decrease in productivity led to an increased oxygen content of the near-bottom and pore waters.     

Early Holocene environmental change in the Kreekrak area (Zeeland, SW-Netherlands): A multi-proxy analysis

Detailed botanical (microfossil and macroremain), zoological and geochemical analyses (major and trace elements including C, Al, S, Ca, Fe, P, As, Zn, U, Ba and Rare Earth Elements) of organic deposits provide new insights into Early Holocene environmental change in the Kreekrak area (southwestern Netherlands). The age assessment of the record is based on high resolution AMS ¹⁴C wiggle-match dating (WMD). For the first time an AMS ¹⁴C WMD based chronology covering the Late Glacial/Holocene transition and early Preboreal is introduced for a site in The Netherlands.The Kreekrak botanical record reflects the end of the Younger Dryas to early Boreal and can be well correlated with pollen records from other sites in The Netherlands and Belgium. The palaeo-topography showed that the Kreekrak deposits formed in an abandoned channel of the River Schelde. Around ca. 11,490 cal BP, at the end of the Late Glacial/Holocene transition, infilling of the lake started with predominantly organic deposits in slowly running water. As a result of the warmer climate the area became forested with birch and poplar during the Friesland Phase (ca. 11,490-11,365 cal BP). Biological productivity of the lake and its surroundings increased. Aquatic vegetation developed in the lake, while shrubs of willow, reed swamps and grasslands fringed the shores. Precipitation increased, which caused a rise in the lake water table and an increase in the supply of oxic surface (= river) water into the Kreekrak lake. During this period, the Kreekrak lake was fed by inflowing river water, run-off, precipitation and seepage of Fe-rich groundwater. Around ca. 11,435 cal BP the water became stagnant probably as result of a total cut-off of the river channel. Inflow of river water ceased, while the supply of reduced Fe-rich groundwater became dominant. During the Rammelbeek Phase (ca. 11,365-11,250 cal BP), the climate was more continental and the abundance of grasslands and open herbaceous vegetation increased. Biological productivity remained high. In the lake, the supply of Fe-rich groundwater continued, the water level slightly decreased but aquatic vegetation remained present. At the end of the Rammelbeek Phase a sudden reduction in the supply of Fe-rich reduced groundwater caused a lowering of the groundwater level in the area, resulting in the development of a hiatus. Due to this hiatus, the Late Preboreal (11,250-10,710 cal BP) is absent from the record. During the early Boreal (10,710-10,000 cal BP) the landscape became densely forested and accumulation of peat in the former lake resumed due to a slowly rising groundwater level. The Boreal was a relatively stable period with low sedimentation rates.The combination of palaeobotanical and geochemical analyses in the Kreekrak record shows a close interrelation between landscape development and geochemistry. It appears that the environmental development of this area during the Late Glacial/Holocene transition and Early Holocene was largely influenced (directly or indirectly) by major climatic changes that occurred during this period, which determined local phenomena such as the composition and density of the vegetation, occurrence of seepage and river activity. Further research of this type has the potential to develop the application of major- and trace element geochemistry in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.     

Reconstruction of Late Pleistocene-Holocene palaeobathymetries from Ostracoda on the Tyrrhenian continental shelf

Quantitative analyses of ostracod assemblages from three cores recovered on the Tyrrhenian shelf (Gaeta and Salerno Gulfs) have been applied to construct palaeobathymetric curves. Palaeoclimatic curves obtained from planktonic foraminifera, calcareous nanoplankton, pteropods and pollen are available for the same cores, in addition to sedimentological, mineralogical, geochemical (δ¹⁸O, ¹⁴C, C/N, CaCO₃) and volcanological data with regard to the two cores from the Salerno Gulf. The palaeobathymetric curves reflect the climatic events through the Late Pleistocene-Holocene interval. The climatic events of the Last Glacial (and within it, the Last Glacial Maximum), the Late Glacial (with Oldest Dryas, Bølling-Allerød, Younger Dryas events) and Postglacial have been recognised. The palaeobathymetric curves are also in agreement with palaeoclimatic curves of planktonic assemblages and pollen.     

Palaeoecological studies at the Mesolithic site at Bedburg-Königshov near Cologne, Germany

The Late Glacial and early Holocene palaeovegetation is reconstructed by analysis of pollen and macroscopic plant remains from sediments of the lower river Erft valley, near Cologne, exposed by the Garzweiler opencast lignite mine. The study was carried out in parallel with the archaeological excavation of the Mesolithic site of Bedburg-Königshoven, located within a former meander of the Erft. During the Younger Dryas period, the study region was thinly wooded. Relatively open pine woods existed during the Preboreal, becoming more closed during the Boreal. Later in the Boreal,Corylus and taxa of the mixed oak woodland (Ulmus, Quercus, Tilia andFraxinus) appeared. The Atlantic period was characterised by mixed oak woods with dominantUlmus. At the beginning of the Subboreal,Ulmus declined andTilia became the predominant element of the woods. The Mesolithic settlement existed during the early and middle part of the Preboreal period. At that time, the woodland of the Erft valley was mainly composed ofPinits, Belula and somePopulus. The pollen results do not show any evidence of the activity of Mesolithic people. Local vegetational changes of the filling process of the Erft meander were described and interpreted. The vegetational development of the study region is compared with that of neighbouring regions.     

Late glacial and Holocene environmental changes inferred from sediments in Lake Myklevatnet,Nordfjord, western Norway

Late Glacial and Holocene environmental changes were reconstructed using physical, chemical and biological proxies in Lake Myklevatnet, Allmenningen, (5º13′17″E, 61º55′13″N) located at the northern side of Nordfjorden at the coast of western Norway. Myklevatnet (123 m a.s.l.) lies above the Late Glacial marine limit and contains sediments back to approximately 14,300 years before a.d. 2000 (b2k). Because the lake is located ~48 km beyond the margin of the Younger Dryas (YD) fjord and valley glaciers further inland, and did not receive glacier meltwater from local glaciers during the YD, the lake record provides supplementary information to Lake Kråkenes that received glacial meltwater from a local YD glacier. Lake Myklevatnet has a small catchment and is sensitive to Late Glacial and Holocene climate and environmental changes in the coastal region of western Norway. The age-depth relationship was inferred from a radiocarbon- and tephra-based smoothing-spline model with correlated ages from oxygen isotope maxima and minima in the Late Glacial sequence of the NGRIP ice core (in years b2k) to refine the basal chronology in the Myklevatnet record. The results indicate a two-step YD warming, colder early YD temperatures than in the later part of the YD, and considerably more climate and environmental variability during the late Holocene in western Norway than recorded previously in the oxygen isotopes from Greenland ice cores. The Myklevatnet record is also compared with other Late Glacial and Holocene terrestrial and marine proxy reconstructions in the North Atlantic realm.     

The lateglacial vegetation and radiocarbon dating of Lake Trilistnika, Rila Mountains (Bulgaria)

Pollen analysis, supplemented by 5 ¹⁴C dates, was carried out on the lateglacial section (160 cm) of a core retrieved from the glacial Lake Trilistnika (2216 m) in the northwestern Rila Mountains (Bulgaria). The reconstruction of the lateglacial vegetation history is linked for the first time to a chronological framework for the time window 13000–10000 b.p. The delimitation of an interstadial/stadial cycle, analogous with the Bølling/Allerød-Younger Dryas from Western Europe, is based on important changes in the pollen stratigraphy. Mountain-steppe vegetation composed of Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae and other cold-resistant herbs, with isolated stands of Pinus and Juniperus-Ephedra shrubland, dominated the landscape after the ice-retreat. Interstadial conditions were established before 12815±130 b.p. The spread of tree vegetation at lower elevation as a response to the climate improvement was confined to the time interval 12110±95–11140±75 b.p. The Younger Dryas stadial is characterised by a re-advance of the mountain-steppe vegetation. The results are compared with other sites of lateglacial age from the high mountains (Rila, northern Pirin, western Rhodopes) in southern Bulgaria.