The Early Holocene vegetation changes in the vicinity of the Gorbunovo peat bog in the Middle Urals (Russia)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive palaeobotanical research of lacustrine and peat deposits of archaeological Mesolithic sites discovered at the Gorbunovo peat bog (Middle Urals). Pollen and plant macrofossil data, as well as a biome model were used to describe the vegetation changes in the study area in the Early Holocene. It was found out that in the second half of the Pre-Boreal and the first half of the Boreal periods of the Early Holocene (approximately to 9,800–9,600 cal BP), the vicinity of the Gorbunovo peat bog was dominated by cold deciduous forests. Larch, spruce-larch and birch forests and meadow communities with periglacial elements were widespread. Various aquatic plants could be found in the pond, though it started to turn into swamp. In the second half of the Boreal period (approximately at 9,600–9,500 cal BP), the taiga biome, including pine and birch-pine forests with occurrence of spruce started to prevail. Periglacial communities became degraded. Aggressive water logging led to the formation of a peat bog.