Untersuchungen zur spät- und nacheiszeitlichen Vegetationsgeschichte im Gebiet des ehemaligen Inn-Chiemseegletschers

Abstract

Summary Eight profiles from four localities in the region of the former Inn-Chiemsee glacier were studied by pollen analysis. The sediments date from a period beginning with the Oldest Dryas time (pollen zone Ia) and ending in the presence (pollen zones after Firbas 1949). There is a difference already in the lateglacial period between the of regions near the rise of the Alps and of those at some distance from it. The stadial phase of the Older Dryas time (pollen zone Ic) can be detected only in the pollen diagram from the highest locality investigated (Schwarzer See, 900 m). There is clear evidence of the stadial phase of the Younger Dryas time (pollen zone III) only at some distance from the rise of the Alps (Kirchseeoner Moor, 550 m). Since the beginning of the postglacial period there is proof of altitudinal differences of the forest with Quercus predominating in lower regions and Ulmus in higher altitudes. Picea did not occur in the area studied here before the beginning of the Atlantic period (VI.) It never became frequent further away from the Alps, but was for a short period the most important constituent of the forests near the rise of the Alps and at higher altitudes. According to a radiocarbon determination mass extension of Abies began during the later part of the Atlantic period (VII) and Fagus did not reach predominance until 500 years later in the Subboreal period (VIII). Today's mountain forest developed as follows: Abies and Fagus invaded a mixed oak forest in which Picea occurred frequently. First Picea was almost replaced by Abies . Then mass extension of Fagus reduced the percentage of all trees. Fagus predominated in the whole area from the beginning of the Subatlantic period (IX and X) until the forests were changed by man. This beech forest was not uniform throughout the whole area as ran be shown by regionally different percentages of other trees. On the whole a map by Seibert (1968) showing today's potential natural vegetation is supported by the results of pollen analysis. Moreover these results suggest a presence of man in the area also during the early neolithic period and the periods of Hallstatt and Latene although prehistoric findings are lacking so far.