The establishment of Holocene vegetation belts: quite near to a complete model of a solid mass

Pollen and macro-remains were analysed in a sixth site (La Gouille 1,800 m) of the Cha?ne des Hurtières (northern French Alps). Nine A.M.S. dates support the chronology. Thus, the establishment of the vegetation belt of a massif can be modelled in the northern French Alps. Betula invaded sub-Alpine grasslands as early as 10,000 14C BP. Around 9,600 14C BP shrublands with Corylus, Alnus and Sorbus were established before the spread of Abies at the site approximately 8,200 14C BP. A decrease in Abies prior to 8,100 14C BP occurred during the Venediger climatic oscillation. At around 2,940 14C BP, a strong regression of Abies due to human action is noted with the expansion of Alnus viridis. Recently, a second Abies retraction led to the present sparce P. cembra and Alnus viridis vegetation cover.