Palynology of peat sections from Spitsbergen covering the last few centuries

Abstract

Peat sections, measuring up to 40 cm, from four areas of Spitsbergen were studied for pollen and spores; the results are presented as pollen concentration diagrams. Dated parts of the sections cover approximately the last three to thirteen centuries. In one section, an increasing rate of peat accumulation is suggested by a decreasing trend in concentrations of long‐distance transported pollen and spores and by radiocarbon dates; in the other three sections there are no indications of the existence of phases differing in peat‐accumulation rates. In two sections a local development is recorded from dry peat‐forming vegetation relatively rich in vascular‐plant species into wet peat‐forming vegetation poor in vascular‐plant species. The two other sections represent wet peat‐forming vegetation relatively poor in vascular‐plant species throughout the recorded period.