Alder Carr Research Articles

Ant and Earthworm Bioturbation in Cold-Temperate Ecosystems

In temperate ecosystems, earthworms and ants are the most important organisms for bioturbation. Little is known about how these groups contribute to bioturbation in different environments and to what extent overall bioturbation depends on their diversity. We developed a formula that allows quantification of annual earthworm bioturbation, thereby taking differences between earthworm ecotypes into account. With this formula, we calculated earthworm bioturbation at three sites, each with vegetation types typically found in Northern Europe. Earthworm bioturbation was low (1 Mg dry soil ha−1 y−1) in Scots pine and Norway spruce forests with acidic soil (pH 3.9–4.4) and high (between 15 and 34 Mg dry soil ha−1 y−1) in broadleaf forests, grasslands, alder carr and spruce forests on calcareous soil. Burrowing (endogeic and anecic) earthworms accounted for most of the earthworm bioturbation, and these worms had the highest population densities at moderate-to-high soil pH (pH 5–7.2). Estimates of ant bioturbation at the same sites were based on nest abundance, size and residence time. Mean ant bioturbation varied between 0.2 and 1 Mg dry soil ha−1 y−1, but individual plots had up to 2.4 Mg dry soil ha−1 y−1. In soils with pH higher than 5, the relative contribution of ants to total bioturbation was only 1–5%. Ant bioturbation was higher than earthworm bioturbation only in some forest soils with pH 3.9–4.4. Thus, earthworms appear to be the dominant cause of bioturbation in most types of terrestrial ecosystems in the cold-temperate areas of Europe and when information on local earthworm communities and monthly soil temperatures is available, bioturbation can be quantified using the presented ‘earthworm bioturbation formula’.

The Lateglacial and Holocene vegetation and climate history of Lago di Mezzano (central Italy)

The top 12 m of a lacustrine sediment sequence from Lago di Mezzano (42°36′N, 11°46′E, 452 a.s.l., Latium, central Italy) have been palynologically investigated. The chronology was established on the basis of radiocarbon dates, measures of annual laminations and volcanic ashes. The continuous sequence provides new fundamental information on the Lateglacial and Holocene, periods often fragmented in Italian pollen records, identifying vegetation dynamics and climate changes occurring in the last 15,300 years. The record starts at the end of the last glacial, closely following the climate changes found at a global scale, with clear stadial and interstadial oscillations, and evidence of cold/dry and wet/warm climatic changes. The Holocene is mostly characterized by forests, evolving rapidly to mature mixed deciduous oak (starting from 11,000 years BP) and, passing through beech forests (starting from ca. 9000 years BP) and alder carrs (starting from ca. 7000 years) to the deeply human-modified present-day landscape.Evaluating the importance of the local and regional human impact is not straightforward. A peculiarity of Lago di Mezzano, as of other Mediterranean lacustrine sites, is that it behaves at times as an “on-site” locale, when human populations were immediately by the lake, and at times as an “off-site” when settlements were found further away. This pattern changed according to cultural and climatic variations, both correlated to the water level of the lake.

Spider assemblages on tree trunks in primeval deciduous forests of the Białowieża National Park in eastern Poland

We analysed spider assemblages of tree trunks in an oak-lime-hornbeam forest, an ash-alder riparian forest and an alder carr in the primeval stands of the Białowieża National Park. Spiders were collected from June 1998 to October 2000 using bark traps. A total of 2,182 spider individuals, belonging to 43 species and 14 families was collected. The forest types differed in the spider abundance and species richness. The differences probably resulted from different tree species and different environmental conditions in the forest types. The most numerous species in oak-lime-hornbeam forest and in alder carr was Amaurobius fenestralis, whereas Anyphaena accentuatawas the most abundant species in ash-alder riparian forest. Four species (Amaurobius fenestralis, Anyphaena accentuata, Segestria senoculataand Neriene montana) were collected in each month (March – October), whereas most species were recorded sporadically or in some periods.

Changes in Species Composition in Alder Swamp Forest Following Forest Dieback

It is generally hypothesized that forest dieback is a characteristic of alder swamp forests (alder carrs, Alnion glutinosae alliance). Different internal and external factors may trigger this process, including human disturbance, changes in river discharge, unusually severe and prolonged flooding, terminal age of an even-aged alder forest (ca. 100–150 years) and others. Although forest dieback in this type of forest may cause major changes in environmental conditions, the influence of this change on the floristic composition has not been well recognized. The study aimed to detect any possible changes in floristic variation in alder swamp forest following forest dieback. Vegetation plots in alder swamp forests affected by forest dieback were resurveyed 20 years after a previous study. PERMANOVA was used to test the significance of the compositional change and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) with passively fitted means of the Ellenberg’s Indicator Values were used to interpret its ecological meaning. In addition, different structural and diversity indices were compared, including species richness, percentage cover of vegetation layers, Shannon and Simpson diversity and evenness. Finally, we analyzed changes in the frequency of vascular plant species using Chi square tests. We recorded clear and significant compositional changes following alder swamp forest dieback. This change was most related to the gradient of moisture, followed by the gradients of light and temperature. The analysis of the individual species showed that the species of hummocks declined, while the species of hollows increased. Moreover, the current communities are dominated by some hydrophytes that were not recorded 20 years ago. Forest dieback resulted in profound changes in the hydrological regime. The observed changes are consistent with a model of cyclic succession as proposed for alder swamps. In addition, we conclude that the natural forest dynamics have to be taken into consideration while interpreting the results of re-survey studies.

The breeding ecology of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos at Lake Tonga, north-eastern Algeria

The breeding ecology of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos was investigated at Lake Tonga, north-eastern Algeria, which is at the southern edge of the species’ range in the Western Palearctic. Breeding was mainly carried out in stumps of alder carr (Alnus glutinosa) that border the northern limit of the lake. The breeding season was relatively short, spanning two months. Laying occurred mainly in April but continued until end of May. The average clutch size was 8.4 ± 1.9 eggs (N = 19 clutches) with 10 eggs being the modal clutch. The overall nesting success was 54% (N = 29 clutches), whereas predation accounted for most nest failure (76%). As often happens in arid climates and instable habitats, breeding outcome was significantly and negatively related to egg-laying date with precocious nests conferring better survival to eggs. In contrast, nest predation was positively associated with a deferred laying date. Seven cases of interspecific brood parasitism were recorded, all involving the Mallard and the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, with both species acting as either a host or a parasite. Nests in dense vegetation were more likely to harbour this interspecific interaction.

Variability of morphological traits of mountain Veratrum lobelianum in lowland locality

Veratrum lobelianum is a mountain species occurring mainly in the subalpine and montane zone in European and Asian mountains. In Poland, the species has lowlands localities. Three populations of the species were characterized in the Tarnow Plateau (Sandomierz Basin, southern Poland), growing in oak-hornbeam forest and alder carrs. In the similar climatic conditions but varied light and soil conditions (humidity) the species populations differed in morphological traits as plant height, leaves number, leave dimensions, and inflorescence length. The results extend the published ranges of the traits of the species.

Distribution of Lichen Species of the Genus Lepraria in the Knyszyn Forest (Ne Poland) in Different Forest Plant Communities

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of lichen species of the genus Lepraria in Knyszyn Forest (NE Poland) to different forest plant communities. Six species of Lepraria [L. eburnea J. R. Laundon, L. elobata Tønsberg, L. incana (L.) Ach., L. jackii Tønsberg, L. lobificans Nyl. and L. vouaxii (Hue) R. C. Harris] recorded from Knyszyn Forest. Lepraria eburnea is a new species for the studied area. The most common species were Lepraria incana and L. lobificans. Among the studied forest communities the richest in species (5 species of Lepraria) were oak-hornbeam forest (Tilio-Carpinetum), and the least species-rich (2 species) were maple-linden slope forest (Aceri-Tilietum), alder carr (Carici elongatae-Alnetum) and spruce forest (Sphagno girgensohnii-Piceetum). The richest lichen diversity in the Knyszyn Forest was found on deciduous trees such as Carpinus betulus L. and Quercus robur L. (4 species), Tilia cordata Mill. (3 spp.), and conifers such as Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and Pinus sylvestris L. (3 spp.).

Occurrence of brambles (Rubus L.) in young forest plantations on the Kolbuszowa Plateau

Abstract In forests of the Kolbuszowa Plateau, bramble thickets are common mainly in young forest plantations and clear-cut areas. 11 bramble species were found in 20 plantations visited during the field study. The most frequent bramble species in young forest plantations include: Rubus plicatus, R. nessensis, R. hirtus, R. idaeus, while less frequent are: R. gracilis, R. ambrosius and R. apricus. The largest patches of brambles were found in plantations established on sites of mixed pine-oak forest, subcontinental lime-oak-hornbeam forest and dried alder carrs. Rubus thickets in young forest plantations occur together with numerous species characteristic of communities classified into the following classes: Vaccinio-Piceetea, Querco-Fagetea, Epilobietea angustifolii, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Nardo-Callunetea. Brambles growing in young forest plantations can be roughly divided into three groups: I - species with thin, prostrate and rooting stems (R. hirtus, R. apricus, R. pedemontanus), which may significantly affect the growth of tree seedlings if bramble specimens or diaspores are present at the time of tree planting; II - species with strong, poorly branched and arcuate stems (R. plicatus, R. gracilis, R. ambrosius, R. glivicensis), whose negative effect on tree seedlings depends on the potential of a tree species to produce quickly a high and dense thicket thereby overshadowing the lower vegetation; III - species with erect and relatively sparsely growing stems (R. idaeus), which do not pose any threat to young forest plantations. Species with intermediate biological traits (e.g. R. nessensis) may have a negative impact on young plantations, as they generate large and dense bush, however, in most cases, their populations grow rather sparsely and do not hinder the development of tree seedlings.

Spider Assemblages of Hummocks and Hollows in a Primeval Alder Carr in the Białowieża National Park — Effect of Vegetation Structure and Soil Humidity

We studied the species richness, diversity, abundance and guild composition of spider assemblages on the hummocks and in the hollows of the alder carr in the Bialowieza National Park. We also assessed the effect of vegetation structure and soil humidity on spiders settled in these two microhabitats. The spiders were collected from 10 May until 27 October 2001 by pitfall trapping. The main factor which differed between the hummocks and the hollows was soil humidity. In the case of vegetation cover we found some differences between the microhabitats but it was particularly evident in the case of litter, which was higher on the hummocks. Spider species diversity was significantly higher on the hummocks than in the hollows, but the number of individuals captured in both microhabitats was similar. The collected spiders belonged to six guilds and the proportion of spider individuals in particular guilds was significantly different between the hummocks and the hollows. The most abundant guild in both microhabitats was ‘ground hunters’ and the most numerous species was Piratula hygrophila. Our analyses showed that soil humidity positively affected the number of spider species and the number of individuals. Sampling date strongly influenced the number of collected species and spider individuals. Vegetation and litter cover did not have a significant impact on the spider assemblages. Our findings suggest that research conducted only on hummocks in the alder carr does not reveal the real structure of spider assemblages.

Restoring hydrology and old-growth structures in a former production forest: Modelling the long-term effects on biodiversity

The biodiversity value of production forests is substantially lower than that of natural forests. This is related to differences in hydrology, stand age and amounts of old trees and deadwood. Using a predictive model framework we show that restoring hydrology and old-growth characteristics in a forest formerly managed for timber extraction results in changes to forest composition and structure, ultimately increasing its biodiversity value.We inventoried biodiversity and stand variables in 102 sample plots in a temperate mixed broadleaved forest, which is in focus of a LIFE+ programme aiming to restore hydrology and old-growth structure. We collected presence/absence data for four organism groups (vascular plants, epiphytic bryophytes and lichens, wood-inhabiting fungi) and measured environmental variables associated with species occurrence and influenced by restoration (dead or living tree characteristics, stand age, water level). We investigated biodiversity consequences of restoration towards pristine environmental characteristics by using a space-for-time substitution model. We evaluated how and through what mechanisms species richness is likely to react when pre-forestry hydrological conditions and old-growth structures are restored.The model results show that reversing the effects of a long history of management for timber extraction increased availability of suitable habitat, and hence the local species richness for three of four of the organism groups, compared to the pre-restoration conditions. Furthermore, the increase in soil moisture shifted the forest plots towards an alder carr, while the stand ageing process sustained the shade-tolerant beech despite its low tolerance for high soil humidity. Our prediction shows an increase in species richness for plants directly driven by the restoration of natural water level, and for fungi as an indirect effect of a change in suitable substrate availability. Lichens responded positively to both processes. Plants stabilized their richness levels earlier than tree-dwelling organisms, as water level recovered faster than old-growth structures. The projection of stable bryophytes richness values under restoration is potentially biased by their lower diversity and more limited affiliation to forest structural variation than other groups.We suggest applying our space-for-time approach as a tool to assess forest and biodiversity responses in similar restoration projects involving management actions of open-ended habitat creation, promoting development of natural processes in the long-term. This modelling tool turns to be especially relevant in dynamic habitats where the outcomes for biodiversity are uncertain.

Decomposition Rate, and Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics ofSphagnumLitter: Lessons from a Peat Bog

Decomposition rates and changes of carbon and nitrogen contents of Sphagnum litter in mire vegetation can help to explore the ecological effects of climate change and the role of environmental factors from a local to an ecosystem scale. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between mentioned parameters in small and isolated Sphagnum dominated mires. Measurements had been conducted throughout a year by placing litterbags filled with Sphagnum biomass in three vegetation types (open peat bog, poor fen, alder carr) of a mire ecosystem in Hungary. Peat decomposition rates differed to a great extent; the slowest decomposition rate (39.1±9.52%) was in the alder carr, indicating that slower decomposition could be characteristic for this kind of vegetation type of mire. Between Sphagnum dominated microhabitats, open peat bog showed medium (65.57±4.05) while poor fen the fastest (68.61±5.5) rates in decomposition. The C/N ratio of the Sphagnum litter showed significant decrease (P <0.005) in all studied micro-environments. Slower N release was observed from litter of Alnus dominated association (31.3±6.9%) compared to Sphagnum dominated ones (56.5±8.3%). Our findings showed that the decomposition rates were more dependent on vegetation type than C/N ratio and this relationship was also revealed at a small spatial scale.

Contributions to the European Pollen Database. 32. Endinger Bruch EB25 (NE Germany): from fen to bog

The Endinger Bruch (54° 14ʹ N, 12° 53ʹ E) is a large alder carr in northern Vorpommern (Western Pomerania, northeast Germany). Geomorphology and late-glacial vegetation history of the area are desc...

Contributions to the European Pollen Database. 31. Endinger Bruch ‘Hoher Birkengraben’ (NE Germany): from lake to carr

The Endinger Bruch (54° 14ʹ N, 12° 53ʹ E) is a large alder carr in northern Vorpommern (Western Pomerania, northeast Germany). Its central part consists of a c. 1 km wide former lake basin includin...

Water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) of water bodies of the Krąpiel River valley: interactions in the spatial arrangement of a river valley

The present study is a discussion of the interactions between different types of water bodies in the spatial arrangement of a river valley, taking into account landscape data. The Hydrachnidia assemblages in particular types of valley water bodies (oxbows, riparian pools, permanent ponds, flooded alder carrs, sedge marshes, and springs) are strongly influenced by the spatial arrangement of the water bodies in the landscape. Moreover, the formation of a fauna in a particular type of valley water body is also influenced by its origin. For example, the faunas of the oxbow lakes and riparian pools would have many characteristics in common, as these two types of water body can be characterized as originating in the river. As many as 61 species common to the valley water bodies and the Krąpiel River were noted. In the interactions between the valley water bodies and the river, the direction of migration from the former to the latter was clearly predominant. Migration in the reverse direction, from the river to the valley water bodies, took place to a far lesser degree. CCA analysis of landscape variables showed the influences of certain landscape parameters on water mites. These should be regarded as indirect influences, but as a consequence of their effects, they influence the formation of specific types of Hydrachnidia assemblages.

Between the mountains and the sea: Late Holocene Caspian Sea level fluctuations and vegetation history of the lowland forests of northern Iran

Pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating of a core from northern Iran enable reconstructing the past three millennia of vegetation dynamics of the Caspian lowlands and Alborz foothills of central northern Iran as a function of Caspian Sea level oscillations, climate change and human impact. The high values of Alnus pollen and a diverse assemblage of non-pollen palynomorphs indicate that during most of the time span covered by the record a wet eutrophic to mesotrophic alder (Alnus cf. glutinosa) carr was present at the coring site. Only at the onset of the 2600-BP highstand event tree growth was hampered because of inundation. Our findings (including calcareous gyttja with remains of Charophytes; remnants of molluscs, freshwater snails, Foraminifera, Ostracoda, Algae and sponges) indicate that the highstand extended to and culminated in the period 2100 to 1900 calBP. Wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia), which was a major component in the vegetation composition of the Caspian lowland from the beginning of the record, strongly decreased after ca. 1200 calBP, most probably due to a drier or colder climate. Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae (C-A) show fluctuating and largely parallel values throughout the record, suggesting the natural co-occurrence and similar ecology of their corresponding plants in the coastal areas under the influence of Caspian Sea transgressions. The steep slopes south of the mire were probably most of the time covered by a species-rich deciduous forest predominated by hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and beech (Fagus orientalis) accompanied by oak (Quercus castaneifolia), elms (Ulmus glabra/U. carpinifolia), Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica), maples (Acer velutinum/A. cappadocicum), box tree (Buxus hyrcana), grape (Vitis vinifera), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), and lime (Tilia platyphyllos). However, climate change and human impact triggered significant vegetational changes both in the lowland and the hilly upland. The first signal of human activity in the area can be inferred from findings of pollen of Juglans regia at ca. 2350 calBP and slightly later of Fagopyrum esculentum. A dramatic decline of tree pollen over the last centuries suggests that tree cover of both the lowland and upland landscape surrounding the mire declined and forests were increasingly replaced by open vegetation most likely as a result of intensified human activities.

Coexistence of ancient forest species as an indicator of high species richness

Continuity of forest habitats is evaluated by using the indicator value of plants considered as ancient forest species or closed forest species. This is a subjectively defined group, which includes species that prefer old-growth forests. Until now, the fidelity between ancient forest species and its relation to species richness has not been assessed. Analyses were performed using resources of the Polish Vegetation Database, from which we selected relevés containing at least one species from the group of ancient forest species. Subsequently, we examined whether these species demonstrate a tendency to coexist. We established these relations using the phi coefficient of fidelity. We have distinguished eleven groups of coexisting ancient forest species (CAFS groups). Fairly common taxa in the data set constituted the majority of species forming these groups (frequency of >10%). Only one CAFS group found in the dataset was strongly localised geographically. The other groups did not demonstrate specific patterns of distribution and were recorded in relevés throughout the country. The average species richness of forests, in which at least one CAFS group was present, was significantly higher than the average in the forests, where there were no groups of CAFS found. These forests also differed significantly in the total number of ancient forest species and the number of closed forest species. We found that the coexistence of ancient forest species was an indicator of forest communities characterized by a high diversity. In all types of forests identified in the data set, at least one group of coexisting ancient forest species was identified. However, the occurrence of the CAFS groups was not equally frequent in all types of forests. CAFS groups occurred most often in the oak-hornbeam forests, species-rich beech forests and ravine forests, which are zonal types of vegetation. On the other hand, the CAFS groups were rarely found in bog Scots pine woodlands, acidophilous spruce forests, alder carrs and willow-poplar forests of lowland rivers, and these are mostly azonal vegetation types with a limited range.CAFS groups can be used as a trans-regional indicators of forests with a high diversity of species, however, their usefulness may be limited in relation to forests found in oligotrophic habitats or azonal forest systems.

Vegetation classification and biogeography of European floodplain forests and alder carrs

AbstractAimFormalized classifications synthesizing vegetation data at the continental scale are being attempted only now, although they are of key importance for nature conservation planning. Therefore, we aim to provide a vegetation classification and to describe the main biogeographical patterns of floodplain forests and alder carrs in Europe.LocationEurope.MethodsA database of more than 40 000 vegetation plots of floodplain forests and alder carrs across Europe was compiled. After geographic stratification, 16 392 plots were available for classification, which was performed using the supervised method Cocktail. We also searched for new associations using semi‐supervised K‐means classification. The main biogeographic patterns and climate‐related gradients in species composition were determined using detrended correspondence analysis and cluster analysis.ResultsThirty associations of floodplain forests and alder carrs were distinguished, which belong to five alliances. The Alnion incanae includes riparian, seepage and hardwood floodplain forests in the nemoral and hemiboreal zones (dominated by Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior) and in the boreal zone (dominated by A. incana). The Osmundo‐Alnion represents oceanic vegetation dominated by Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus angustifolia and F. excelsior distributed mostly on the Iberian Peninsula and composed of species with Atlantic distribution and Iberian endemics. The Populion albae comprises floodplain forests frequently dominated by Fraxinus angustifolia, Populus alba and P. nigra that are widespread in floodplains of large rivers under summer‐dry climates in the Mediterranean region. The Platanion orientalis represents eastern Mediterranean floodplain forests dominated by Platanus orientalis. The Alnion glutinosae includes forest swamps dominated by Alnus glutinosa distributed mostly in the nemoral and hemiboreal zones. The main biogeographic patterns within European floodplain forests and alder carrs reflect the climatic contrasts between the Mediterranean, nemoral, boreal and mountain regions. Oceanic floodplain forests differ from those in the rest of Europe. The hydrological regime appears to be the most important factor influencing species composition within regions.ConclusionsThis study is the first applying a formalized classification at the association level for a broad vegetation type at the continental scale. The proposed classification provides the scientific basis for the necessary improvement of the habitat classification systems used in European nature conservation.

Native and Alien Plant Species Richness Response to Soil Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Temperate Floodplain and Swamp Forests

Soil nitrogen and phosphorus are commonly limiting elements affecting plant species richness in temperate zones. Our species richness-ecological study was performed in alder-dominated forests representing temperate floodplains (streamside alder forests of Alnion incanae alliance) and swamp forests (alder carrs of Alnion glutinosae alliance) in the Western Carpathians. Species richness (i.e., the number of vascular plants in a vegetation plot) was analyzed separately for native and alien vascular plants in 240 vegetation plots across the study area covering Slovakia, northern Hungary and southern Poland. The relationship between the species richness of each plant group and total soil nitrogen content, plant-available phosphorus and carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio was analyzed by generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) with Poisson error distribution and log-link function. The number of recorded native and alien species was 17–84 (average 45.4) and 0–9 (average 1.5) species per plot, respectively. The GLMMs were statistically significant (p ˂ 0.001) for both plant groups, but the total explained variation was higher for native (14%) than alien plants (9%). The richness of native species was negatively affected by the total soil nitrogen content and plant-available phosphorus, whereas the C/N ratio showed a positive impact. The alien richness was predicted only by the total soil nitrogen content showing a negative effect.

Nesting ecology of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in north-eastern Algeria

The status of waterbirds breeding in protected areas in North Africa needs constant monitoring because of a naturally fluctuating environment and permissive attitudes towards illegal activities likely to negatively affect population dynamics of threatened species. We present the results of a study conducted at a protected site, Lake Tonga, north-eastern Algeria, on a breeding population of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, a Near-Threatened duck subjected to considerable pressure from egg-pilfering and illegal hunting. Two distinct habitats within the lake were used by Ferruginous Duck: an Alder carr (Alnus glutinosa) and floating islets across the lake. The mean clutch size was 9.51±1.84 eggs (N = 51 clutches) with hatching rate of 80.7% for successful clutches. Breeding success was low (37%) with predation (33%) and clutch desertion (17%) accounting for the majority of failed nests. The probabilities of nest failure and nest desertion increased with a delayed onset of egg laying. Predation was not significantly associated with egg laying date and vegetation cover, but late breeders nesting in dense vegetation seemed to suffer less predation. Conspecific brood parasitism was positively associated with nest size, whereas interspecific brood parasitism was marginally associated with water depth. We discuss different hypotheses concerning nest desertion, and argue that illegal hunting and disturbance may best explain why birds desert their nests.

Mid‐Holocene history of a central European lake: Lake Komořany, Czech Republic

Palaeolimnological reconstruction of the aquatic environment in Lake Komořany, based on sedimentology, geochemistry, and diatom and macrofossil analyses in the littoral part of the basin, reflects the mid‐Holocene history of the profile from its origin c. 9100 cal. a BP to its final transformation into an alder carr c. 4100 cal. a BP. The existence of the littoral zone can be best explained by increased precipitation during the studied interval. A stable diatom community, diatom‐inferred total phosphorus (50–80 μg L−1) and pH (~7.6), along with stable concentrations of elements associated with changes in its watershed indicate a long‐lasting, balanced aquatic environment with no major shifts attributable to external factors, including climate change. From c. 4700 cal. BP, there started a transition to terrestrial conditions, caused by either natural infilling processes or decreased precipitation. Alternation of remarkable dry/wet phases was not detected, in contrast to numerous analogous central European and supraregional records. Potential human impact was revealed through increases of Corylus and Populus pollen in the Neolithic. These anthropogenic changes in the lake surroundings had no detectable influence on the lacustrine environment. The gathered data suggest undramatic, balanced mid‐Holocene environmental and climatic settings for this central European locality, in direct contrast to numerous analogous studies from the region emphasizing fluctuations and shifts found in the sediment record.