Palaeobotanical record of the Eemian Interglacial succession at the Jagodne site (Garwolin Plain, central Poland)

Abstract

Our high-resolution data of pollen and macrofossils from 2 cores taken from the Jagodne site (Garwolin Plain) reveals a pollen succession covering the final part of the Late Saalian (Marine Isotope Stage MIS 6) and embracing the Eemian (MIS 5e). The results correspond to Regional Pollen Assemblage Zones (RPAZ). The hornbeam phase (E5 RPAZ) has been subdivided into subzones and compared to the corresponding division of the key profile of the Garwolin Plain, Kozłów K2-19. The comparison revealed a considerable sedimentary hiatus in the E5 RPAZ at Jagodne. This is attributed to significant palaeohydrological changes occurring widely in this zone, and also seen at other Eemian sites in Poland. Another specific feature of the Jagodne site is the early, rapid terrestrialisation of the palaeolake and its transformation into a raised bog, which occurred already at the end of the hornbeam phase. The Sphagnum dominated peatbog developed for a long time as evidenced by a thick peat layer covering also the Early Vistulian. Both pollen and plant macrofossil data correspond well to observed lithological boundaries, providing a consistent record of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimate changes. The results obtained contribute to knowledge of palaeoenvironmental changes and palaeoclimate interpretation of that area.