Vegetation and climate history during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene inferred from pollen record in Gwangju area, South Korea

Abstract

A pollen record (ca. 21,700–8100 cal. yr BP) from swamp deposits reveals a detailed history of vegetation and climate changes in Gwangju area, South Korea. The remarkable abundance of Quercus (Lepidobalanus) and Ulmus/Zelkova from ca. 21,700 to 20,700 cal. yr BP indicates deciduous broadleaved forest development under cool and wet conditions. A strong rise in herbs ( Artemisia and Gramineae) and a remarkable decline in deciduous broadleaved trees between ca. 20,700 and 11,500 cal. yr BP imply vegetation change from closed deciduous broadleaved forest to open woodland with herbaceous understory indicating climate deterioration. After ca. 11,500 cal. yr BP the consistent increase of deciduous broadleaved trees and decrease of xerophytic herbs suggest that the previous open woodland with herbaceous understory was progressively replaced by cool temperate deciduous broadleaved forest with a fern understory in response to climate amelioration during the early Holocene. More humid conditions are also indicated by abundant fern spores and higher pollen concentration.