Studies in the Vegetational History of the Northern Pennines: II. An Atypical Pollen Diagram from Pow Hill, Co. Durham

Abstract

SUMMARY (1) A Flandrian pollen diagram from Pow Hill, Co. Durham, is presented. Its radiocarbon-dated pollen assemblage zones differ from those of other English sites and more closely resemble those of north-eastern Scottish sites. (2) Diagrams from three neighbouring sites show some of the same features. (3) Forest history at Pow Hill is characterized by a long pioneer phase, dominant pine woods from 7210 yr B.P., and a much delayed and limited expansion of oak and alder. (4) Pine remained a major species locally until the forests were felled in late prehistoric times. (5) Factors which may have affected the local forest history include slow weathering of the local sandstone to produce shallow soils, and the prevalence of cold north-east winds and low stratus cloud in spring and early summer.