Mid-Holocene pollen records from southwestern Madhya Pradesh, central India, and their palaeoclimatic significance

Abstract

ABSTRACTA new pollen record from south western Madhya Pradesh, central India provides a palaeoenvironmental record for the core monsoon zone (CMZ) of India. The 2m deep lacustrine sediment profile demonstrates that between ∼5679 and ∼4939 cal yr BP, open vegetation occurred in the region, indicative of a dry climate with reduced monsoonal precipitation. This was replaced by a mixed tropical deciduous forest under a warm and humid climate with increased monsoonal precipitation between ∼4939 to ∼3762 cal yr BP. From ∼3762 cal yr BP to the present day, a dense mixed tropical deciduous forest has existed under a warm and relatively more humid climate indicating a further increase in monsoonal precipitation. Cereal-based agricultural practice is evident during the most recent two phases.