Quatermalacological analyses for modeling of the Upper Weichselian palaeoenvironmental changes in the Carpathian Basin

Abstract

The Late Pleistocene environmental history of the Carpathian Basin can be regarded as one of the missing links to our understanding of the last glacial development of Europe. Changes in the radiocarbon-dated Mollusc faunas of the loess areas, along with the palaeogeographic interpretations implied by them seem to underlie the latest results gained from radiocarbon dated pollen analysis of the region. Changes in the Mollusc fauna refer to nine short-lived (1000–3000 years) cyclical palaeoclimatological alterations, which repeatedly transformed the palaeoecological conditions and vegetation in the Carpathian Basin between 34 and 12 kyr. On the basis of malacological data the presence of a major palaeoclimatic trend could be assumed for periods of both warming and cooling in the Carpathian Basin. The mildest July palaeotemperatures were recorded in the SW parts, and the coldest ones were recorded in the NE parts of the basin. Humidity and vegetation cover displayed a large-scale mosaic type heterogeneity reflecting the modifying effect of local factors. It seem that the Upper Weichselian environment was mosaic or mosaic-like in the Carpathian Basin, and the different plants and animals spread from different ecological spots during periods of climate change when the distribution of the forest, grassland, ecotone, or tundra-like habitats changed.