Abstract
Pollen and non-pollen palynomorph data are presented from two radiocarbon-dated ombrotrophic peat bogs from the Xistral Mountains in the North Western Iberian Peninsula. The results suggest that vegetation changes over the last five millennia are the result of human disturbance and climate change. Four major periods of forest disturbance are recorded: during the Late Neolithic, Metal Ages, Roman period and culminating in the permanent decline of deciduous forests since the Middle Ages, as agriculture and metallurgy intensified. Records of non-pollen palynomorphs, particularly those derived from fungi, proved to be useful indicators of climate change and human activity. Discriminant and cluster analysis suggest that trends in certain pollen and NPP reflect changes in humidity and to a lesser extent temperature. Cyperaceae and Types 18 and 18b increase during more humid, wet phases, whilst Type 306 increases during drier phases. Various ascospores, derived from coprophilous fungi, complement changes in pollen taxa to infer human activity.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.