Late Vistulian Research Articles

Lithostratigraphy and Chronology of Vistulian Periglacial Deposits in Józefów (Central Poland) Based on Luminescence Dating

Abstract Sediments in Józefów were deposited in a small lake in the Eemian Interglacial and Early Vistulian (MIS 5). They were then covered by periglacial mineral sediments during the Upper Pleniglacial and the Late Vistulian (MIS 2). These sediments were deformed by gelifluction and thermokarst processes. There is no traces of deposition from MIS 4 and MIS 3. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating confirmed the age of the sediments and enabled the reconstruction of the deposition phases and deformation of the lake infilling.

Znaczenie kalibracji radiowęglowej skali czasu dla chronostratygrafii późnego vistulianu

Znaczenie kalibracji radiowęglowej skali czasu dla chronostratygrafii późnego vistulianu

Reconstruction of 26 kyrs palaeoenvironmental history of the Czarny Dunajec Fan – A multiproxy study of the Długopole gravel pit deposits (Western Carpathians, S Poland)

Sedimentological and geochemical records of biogenic and mineral sediments, coupled with palaeobotanical and palaeozoological analysis from the gravel pit in Długopole (Western Carpathians, S Poland) allowed for the reconstruction of climate and palaeoenvironmental changes on the Czarny Dunajec Fan (part of the Orava Basin) during the Upper Plenivistulian - Late Vistulian (Late Glacial) and Holocene to the Northgrippian Age. Frequent climate fluctuations in the Upper Pleniglacial, Late Vistulian and Holocene intensified the accumulation and denudation processes, which led to the formation of the contemporary relief of the Orava Basin, including the creation of the Czarny Dunajec Fan and numerous peat bogs. Radiocarbon dating of wood fragments found in the Długopole gravel pit indicated three intervals of wood debris supply onto the floodplain: 9.5–7.3, 6.4–5.5, and 3.3 kyrs cal BP. Radiocarbon dating of the sediments show that the age of the deposits range from 26.2 (mammoth tusk) to 3.3 (peat) kyrs cal BP. Detailed taphonomic studies of the mammoth tooth revealed the absence of signs of long-distance transport and thus the nature of the local deposition environment. The presence of a pattern of manganese dendrites on the tusk surface indicates a wet, oxidizing, and mildly alkaline environment. A low-energy and calm sedimentary environment with high manganese concentration is confirmed by the results of geochemical analysis.

The environmental history of the oxbow in the Luciąża River valley – Study on the specific microclimate during Allerød and Younger Dryas in central Poland

The vicinity of the Rozprza archaeological site (central Poland) has been the area of a series of palaeoecological studies tracking the environmental history of the Luciąża River valley up to ca. 13,200 cal. BP. Numerous subfossil palaeomeanders of different sizes have been discovered in the valley floor. Here, we present the first results of multiproxy research on the paleo-oxbow lake fill, one of the oldest in the region. The wide range of palaeoecological analyses resulted in reconstructions of vegetation history, climatic, hydrological and habitat changes. The studied oxbow was an aquatic ecosystem with diverse invertebrate fauna until the end of Younger Dryas when it transformed into a limno-telmatic habitat. The sediment composition indicates active denudation processes and several episodes of turbulent hydrological conditions. Such an increased river activity could have caused flooding, resulting in an allochthonous matter supply to the oxbow lake in Late Vistulian. Environmental changes were strictly related to the regional features of the catchment, the transformation of soils, and the hydrogeological conditions. The chironomid- and pollen-inferred climatic reconstructions indicate periods of high and low continentality. The chironomid record indicates relatively cool summer conditions in the Allerød, especially ca. 13,000 cal. BP, possibly related to the Gerzensee Oscillation. On the other hand, a distinct increase of summer temperatures in Younger Dryas (up to 16 °C) was recorded. Such a situation was also confirmed in some other studies from the region, suggesting that it might be the effect of some specific, local palaeoclimatic conditions.

Erosion and accumulation phases during the last glacial-interglacial cycle: a case study of the terrace system of the Odra and Osobłoga rivers (southern Poland)

In the Odra and Osobloga River valleys in the vicinity of the town of Krapkowice, a system of morphological levels is present which is exceptionally extensive compared to other such systems in southern Poland. The extent, origins and chronology of these levels have been the subject of many controversies. In the light of current research, the terraces, which are situated on average 14.5–13, 12–10, 8–6, 6–4 and 3–1 metres above the river level, were formed in the post-Wartanian interval. The main factor driving their development was erosion, which compensated for the effects of large-scale aggradation that had occurred during the anaglacial phase of the Odranian Glaciation (MIS 8) dated to 261 ±15 ka. The impact of climatic conditions on the trends towards fluvial erosion or accumulation was only of secondary importance. According to OSL dating, successive phases of vertical stabilisation of the valley floor occurred ~118.8 ±8.3, 87.7 ±5.7 and 42.0 ±2.0 ka. In the meantime, erosion intensified, which resulted in the formation of lower terrace levels. During the climatic minimum of the Upper Plenivistulian (21.5 ±1.5 ka), under conditions of the delivery of sheet-wash-generated sediment, the aggradation of distal reaches of the Odra River valley was locally marked. During the Late Vistulian and Holocene, erosive tendencies continued, which were reflected by the fact that the surfaces of subsequent inset alluvial fills were situated ever lower. In the light of dating results, it can be concluded that during the colder periods correlated with the Rederstall Stadial (MIS 5b) and with the Hasselo Stadial (MIS 3), a braided river was present in the river valleys examined, which was most probably accompanied by permafrost. During the Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e), during the Late Vistulian Interstadials and in the Holocene, it was a meandering river.

Vistulian periglacial and glacial environments in central Poland: an overview

Vistulian climatic changes are recorded in various sedimentary environments of central Poland, both in the extraglacial zone of the last glaciation and also in the area occupied by the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet, being reflected by palaeobotanical, palaeozoological, sedimentological and geochronological data. The most pronounced morphogenetic processes are linked to a glacial succession in the northern part of the study area, referred to the Upper Plenivistulian. For most of the study area, located in the extraglacial zone, the climatic changes are reconstructed from lake-bog, fluvial, slope and aeolian sedimentary successions. In central Poland, no site has been documented so far where there would be a continuous biogenic record through the whole Vistulian. Environmental changes recorded through the Vistulian include temperature, vegetation and the dynamics of morphogenetic processes, and sedimentary environments most useful for assessing changes occurring at that time may be indicated. The Early Vistulian is best recognized within biogenic deposits, as in the older part of Plenivistulian. The conditions in the earlier part of the Plenivistulian are best reported from fluvial and slope deposits with evidence of permafrost and of glacial conditions, though only in the northern part of the study area. Changing conditions of the Late Vistulian are expressed via well-documented morphogenetic processes occurring in all (except glacial) sedimentary environments, lake-bog and aeolian environments providing the most complete information about the nature of this period. Most of the Vistulian deposits reflect cold periods. There is a distinctive increase in periglacial impacts throughout the Plenivistulian with the apogee during the Upper Plenivistulian and interstadial warmings did not influence this trend. Each sedimentary environment provides significant data about the climate evolution, and processes playing a leading role vary according to the Vistulian stratigraphic unit. The consolidation of findings from regional research has provided new directions for further interdisciplinary studies.

Late Vistulian and Holocene development of litho-morpho-pedogenic processes in the southern Baltic coastal zone: A case study from Dębina, northern Poland

The study aimed to reconstruct major phases of the litho-morpho-pedogenic processes in the southern Baltic coastal zone near Dębina in northern Poland. Five profiles of fossil soils in the coastal cliff were described, sampled and analysed using standard procedures. The studied outcrop covers a sequence of deposits, including the basal till of the Świecie Stadial (MIS 4) of the Vistula Glaciation, the ablation till of the Pomeranian Phase (MIS 2) of the Vistula Glaciation, the thin cover of glacilimnic sand, the lacustrine sediments filling the palaeolake basin, and aeolian deposits of varied age. A sequence of paleosols developed successively within these deposits during the Late Vistulian and Holocene (MIS 1). The initialization of soil-forming processes occurred under the influence of periglacial environment and pioneer tundra vegetation. Endostagnic Podzols (Abruptic, Epiarenic, Endoloamic, Endodensic) developed within the plateau, and they have some features typical for periglacial environments (e.g. the presence of a cryoilluvial horizon, the poor humification of soil organic matter, the low abundance in N and P, and the vertical displacement of P). The basin of a small lake has been filled successively with sediments and Dystric Endocalcaric Katostagnic Fluvisols (Arenic, Humic, Endolimnic) developed from these sediments during the Late Vistulian and Early Holocene. The previously mentioned soils were buried by sandy cover in the Early Subatlantic due to intensification of aeolian processes. Ortsteinic Podzols (Pantoarenic) developed within a newly formed sandy cover. A fossil fireplace preserved in the top of these soils constitutes evidence of human activity dating back almost 2000 years. Ortsteinic Podzol (Pantoarenic) are dissected by a dry valley that developed as a result of some fluvial episode, perhaps induced by human activity. It was subsequently filled with aeolian sands, and Dystric Arenosols (Aeolic, Ochric) developed within them. Ortsteinic Podzol (Pantoarenic) and Dystric Arenosols (Aeolic, Ochric) were buried approximately five centuries ago. Our findings for the studied cliff section correlate well with results of other authors concerning the postglacial dynamics of morphogenetic processes. The studies provide significantly enriched geomorphological knowledge related to the formation of relief in the study area, with pedological aspects.

Origin and evolution of basins in the eastern part of Jasło-Sanok Depression (Polish Carpathians) in the Late Vistulian and Holocene

Results of a geomorphologic study as well as radiocarbon and pollen analyses of sediments in small basins of the Jasło-Sanok Depression (Western Carpathians) are summarised. Floors of these basins, carved in soft shale-sandstone Krosno Beds, are covered with channel fluvial deposits and oxbow-lake sediments with lake chalk and peat accumulated in the Late Vistulian and Holocene. Since the early Atlantic Phase (ca 8,400–7,900 BP) the apparent acceleration of overbank (flood) deposition intermitting the peat accumulation is observed. The plant succession includes the Late Glacial (pre-Allerød, Allerød and Younger Dryas) with coniferous park forests, through mixed deciduous forests of the Holocene with elm, hazel, oak and lime as well as spruce-elm forests with alder in wetlands, up to present-day hornbeam forests (Tilio-Carpinetum of various types) and extra-zonal Carpathian beech forests (Dentario-Glandulosae- Fagetum). Abies alba (fir) is frequent in both these association types. First evidences of synanthropic plants that prove presence of prehistoric man appeared in the Subboreal Phase. The oldest radiocarbon date 13,550±100 BP (Gd-7355) [16,710–16,085 b2k], from a bottom part of the Humniska section is probably overestimated. This is indicated by palynological data, which suggest attribution of this section to the older Allerød. Small thickness of gravel blanket from the Plenivistulian termination and the beginning of the Late Vistulian, as well as large areas devoid of weathering and solifluction covers indicate that during the Plenivistulian weathering processes and removal of silt-clay material predominated in the basins. In that time the deflation was among important processes, which is proved by deflation troughs, faceted cobbles and thick covers of the Carpathian type of loess. The Besko Basin has pre-Vistulian tectonic foundation, while landforms of its floor are of erosion-degradation origin and formed during the last Scandinavian glaciation. In the Holocene the basin floors were overbuilt with fluvial deposits up to 8 m thick.

Post-glacial environmental history in NE Poland based on sedimentary records from the Dobrzyń Lakeland

This paper presents a comprehensive palaeoenvironmental data set from a trough between glacial curvilineations (an intra-GCL trough) of the Dobrzyń Lake District, north-central Poland. A sediment core taken from the depression was investigated to reconstruct Late Glacial and Holocene environmental changes in north-central Poland using a combination of palynological, macrofossil, sedimentological and geochemical studies. Four main development phases of the studied intra-GCL trough were distinguished. Accumulation of the analysed sediments occurred from the Late Vistulian (Glacial Phase) through the Late Glacial to present times. Our data suggest the persistence of dead ice in the basin up to the Older Dryas (Lacustrine Phase). The sedimentary record of the depression reflects a considerable difference between the Late Glacial/early Holocene and the middle/late Holocene in terms of environmental conditions. The Late Glacial was characterised by rapid environmental changes, while climatic conditions throughout the Holocene were relatively stable, except for the Subboreal period. A small lake was strictly dependent on climatically controlled vegetation changes and erosion tendencies in the vicinity of the Zbójenko site. The lake finally disappeared at the turn of the Younger Dryas and the Preboreal Period. The Preboreal, Boreal and Atlantic Periods encompassed the Early Paludical Phase, during which the water level used to rise and hence the mire could be flooded. The area was covered with dense vegetation and the rate of denudation processes around the site was moderate. The Late Paludical Phase included the Subboreal and most of the Subatlantic. Deciduous forests (with Quercus, Carpinus, Corylus) dominated around the site. Major changes occurred between the late Subboreal and the early Subatlanic as a result of the growing human impact on the environment. The Subatlantic ends with the human impact phase (Middle Age), dominated by human impact, little accumulation of sediments and highly increased denudation.

Late Pleistocene-Holocene paleobiogeography of the genus Apodemus in Central Europe.

Wood mice of the genus Apodemus are an essential component of small mammal communities throughout Europe. Molecular data suggest the postglacial colonization of current ranges from south European glacial refugia, different in particular species. Yet, details on the course of colonization and Holocene history of particular species are not available, partly because of a lack of reliable criteria for species identification in the fossil record. Using a sample of extant species, we analyzed variation patterns and between-species overlaps for a large set of metric and non-metric dental variables and established the criteria enabling the reliable species identification of fragmentary fossil material. The corresponding biometrical analyses were undertaken with fossil material of the genus (2528 items, 747 MNI) from 22 continuous sedimentary series in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, from LGM to Recent. In Central Europe, the genus is invariantly absent in LGM assemblages but regularly appears during the Late Vistulian. All the earliest records belong to A. flavicollis, the species clearly predominating in the fossil record until the Late Holocene. A. uralensis accompanied it in all regions until the late Boreal when disappeared from the fossil record (except for Pannonia). A few items identified as A. sylvaticus had already appeared in the early Holocene assemblages, first in the western part of the region, yet the regular appearance of the species is mostly in the post-Neolithic age. A. agrarius appeared sparsely from the Boreal with a maximum frequency during the post-Neolithic period. The results conform well to the picture suggested by molecular phylogeography but demonstrate considerable differences among particular species in dynamic of the range colonization. Further details concerning Holocene paleobiogeography of individual species in the medium latitude Europe are discussed.

Znaczenie zimnych okresów późnego vistulianu w rozwoju rzeźby regionu łódzkiego

Celem artykułu jest wykazanie znaczenia rzeźbotwórczej roli okresów cyklicznych powrotów zimna w późnym vistulianie w ewolucji regionu łódzkiego w świetle najnowszych interpretacji stratygraficznych i środowiskowych. Procesy rzeźbotwórcze późnego vistulianu były uruchamiane w środowiskach: stokowym, rzecznym i eolicznym działały w specyficznych warunkach niestabilności klimatycznej. Przejściowość tego okresu powodowała, że zazębiały się procesy charakterystyczne dla środowiska peryglacjalnego, przy udziale zmarzliny oraz dla środowiska umiarkowanego. Zimne fazy potencjalnie sprzyjały aktywności morfogenetycznej, chociaż ich świadectwa nie są w regionie łódzkim tak powszechne jak efekty procesów, które miały miejsce podczas wcześniejszych okresów vistuliańskich.

Climate, environment and stratigraphy of the last Pleistocene glacial stage in Poland

The aim of the paper is to present general characteristics of the climate in Poland during the Vistulian (Weichselian), expressed by changes of its continentality during warm and cold intervals. This last glacial stage in Poland is commonly subdivided into Early Vistulian (MIS 5d-a), Lower Plenivistulian (MIS 4), Interplenivistulian (MIS 3), and Upper Plenivistulian and Late Vistulian (MIS 2). Main climatic features of this glacial stage could be reconstructed, based on compilation from published data concerning characteristics of glacial, fluvial and aeolian sedimentary environments, geomorphology, analysis of indicator plant species, Coleoptera, and geographical distribution of periglacial structures. These data were indicative especially for evaluation of mean temperature of the warmest and the coldest months but could be also helpful in determination of drier intervals and some aspects of general atmospheric circulation. Paleoclimatic characteristics of the last glacial stage from the territory of Poland were put into the European context. During the Early Vistulian in eastern Poland, higher continentality was characteristic for interstadials (Amersfoort, Brörup and Odderade), and was considerably lower during the intervening colder stadials (Herning, a cooling between Amersfoort and Brörup, Rederstall). Among the interstadials, the most continental climate occurred during Brörup (similar continentality as at present), considerably less during Amersfoort and the least during Odderade. A decreasing trend of continentality for the cold stadials of the Early Weichselian eastwards in Europe could result from a remarkably less dynamic Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic when the ocean was covered with vast sea ice during winters, whereas the adjoining continent was occupied by permafrost, and the atmospheric circulation was presumably driven also by the Scandinavian ice sheet.

Impact of aeolian processes on peat accumulation: Late Glacial–Holocene history of the Hamernia peat bog (Roztocze region, south-eastern Poland)

The Hamernia peat bog in the Roztocze region started to develop in the Allerød within the deflation basin divided into two sub-basins by a parabolic dune formed in the Older or the Oldest Dryas. Lithological and palynological analyses as well as radiocarbon dating of samples from three logs cored in different parts of the peat-bog indicate that up to the Subatlantic, when the top of the dune bar was inundated, the evolution of both sub-basins was different in hydrological and sedimentological aspects. Aeolian processes were active in the Younger Dryas, generating delivery of mineral material to both sub-basins. However, the intensiveness of this process was much lower than in earlier cold phases, as indicated by the limited spatial and temporal delivery of this material (restricted mainly to the wind-ward sub-basin). The nature of the next short episode of mineral material delivery to one sub-basin, recorded during the climate cooling at the turn of the Boreal and the Atlantic Phases, is not clear. Local aeolian or slope processes (water erosion accompanied by mass movements) are suspected to be responsible for this episode. The youngest stage of slight but continuous mineral material delivery, caused by aeolian processes, started in the climate cooling at the beginning of the Subatlantic, and was contemporary with the intensification of human activity in this area. The geological history in the Late Vistulian and the Holocene suggests that the last dune-forming stage in this area occurred during the Older Dryas.

Fluvial history of the Sub-Carpathian Basins (Poland) during the last cold stage (60–8 cal ka BP)

The fluvial landforms of the last cold stage are represented in the Sub-Carpathian Basins by a system of 2–3 terraces, which grade into alluvial fans of a height of 15–20, 8–12 and 6–8 m above the present riverbeds in the mountain foreland. In the Vistula River valley the 15–20 m high terrace, covered with loess, extends along the western margin of the Sandomierz Basin and northern margin of the Carpathians. Away from the mountain margin, it passes into the sandy terrace plain with dunes. It is formed of at least two Interpleniglacial alluvial fills: the older one dated at 48–36ka BP (over 50–40.6 ka cal BP) and the younger one dated 30–25ka BP (34.1–29.0ka cal BP) thus pertaining to the Upper Pleniglacial. This latter forms a terrace 15 m high. In general, accumulation of fluvial sediments interrupted with erosion phases dominated in the mountain foreland during the period 60–25ka BP (over 60–29 ka cal BP). The most significant erosion phase took place before the maximum extension of the Vistulian (Weichselian, Wisconsinian) ice sheet (i.e. before 25–20ka BP = 29–24ka cal BP) and was connected with a change from an oceanic to a more continental climate. The next alluvial fill of terrace 8–12 m high (with remnants of braided river channels) was formed at the end of the Upper Plenivistulian. The incision of the river channels below the present channel level was followed by aggradation in the Late Vistulian (15–13ka BP = 18.2–15.6ka cal BP) accompanied by a change in river channel system from braided to meandering. In the Wisłoka and San River valleys alluvial plains extending by lateral erosion of large meanders were abandoned by rivers mainly in the Younger Dryas and the Preboreal. The Late Vistulian large palaeomeanders are missing along lower Soła and lower Dunajec. These rivers, fed from higher mountains, had still tendency to braiding. The climate cooling of the Younger Dryas brought an increase in the delivery of bedload to the river channels and a tendency to braiding in Vistula valley (Drwinka depression). The expansion of forest in the Early Holocene reduced the water discharge and the size of meanders. As a result, their width fallen by 3–5 times. Alluvial data showed also a distinct humid climatic phase ca. 9.5–8.5ka cal BP.

Zmiany układu koryta Chodelki koło Chodlika w późnym vistulianie i holocenie / Changes the channel pattern of the Chodelka river near Chodlik in the Late Vistulian and Holocene

In this paper the evolution of paleogeographic models of the middle part of the Chodelka valley near Chodlik is presented. In the relief of the bottom valley clear traces of palaeochannels are present. Lithological and palynological analysis helped distinguish two phases in the development of this river. The first phase started in Late Vistulian, and continued in the early Holocene. At that time Chodelka was an anastomosing river. But later it changed its channel pattern to the meandering one. Nowadays the Chodelka river cannot develop naturally, because its trough is largely limited by flood bank.

The Late Vistulian and Holocene evolution of Jezioro Lake: a record of environmental change in southern Poland found in deposits and landforms

Jezioro Lake is the only natural lake in southern Poland outside mountainous areas to have existed continuously since the Pleistocene. The record of environmental change in the Late Vistulian (Weichselian) and Holocene is preserved in the deposits and landforms around the lake. This paper presents the results of paleogeographical and paleoecological research that emabled us to reconstruct the history of the Jezioro Lake. At the end of the Vistulian period, the outlet of the lake was blocked by a parabolic dune moving in from the west. Limnic sedimentation was evident in the sediment core at all levels from the Holocene, with remains of Cladocera, Chironomidae larvae, and aquatic plants. The lake did not disappear at that time, although its area decreased by a factor of 12 by the end of the period. Paleobotanical research permitted the reconstruction of sequences of plant communities and changes in nutrient status and water level. An initial oligotrophic lake, as indicated by the presence of Isoetes lacustris L., changed to a eutrophic lake, as indicated by the presence of Potamogeton natans L. and Nuphar sp., then the lake progressed to the present-day dystrophic lake that is surrounded by a swamp. The profile of organic deposits contains a record of environmental change at least since the Younger Dryas in southern Poland.

Medieval accumulation in the Upper Dniester river valley: The role of human impact and climate change in the Carpathian Foreland

Research in the valleys of Upper Dniester, Strvjaž and Stryj Rivers, in the Eastern Carpathian Foreland, documents the occurrence of 3–4 Holocene floodplain terraces and several alluvial fills dating back to the Late Vistulian and the Atlantic, as well as the periods 3500–3000 BP (1850–1250 cal. BC), 2200–1700 BP (360 cal. BC–390 cal. AD), 5th–6th, 10th–12th and 14th–16th centuries AD. Flood phases distinguished in the Upper Dniester drainage basin correlate well with previously established phases of enhanced fluvial activity in the valleys of Upper Vistula, the Wisłoka and the San in the Western Carpathian Foreland. An episode of tree fall during the 5th–6th century floods is the most conspicuous and is linked to the beginning of a wet climate phase (1500–1350 cal. BP). Subsequent phases of greater fluvial activity, from the 10th to the 12th and from the 14th to the 16th centuries, record increasing human activity, as well as correlation with wet and cool climate phases (the first half of the 11th century and the beginning of the Little Ice Age). Fluvial accumulation processes along the longitudinal profile of the Upper Dniester Valley were affected not only by human activity and more humid climate phases, but also by diverse neotectonic movements.

Late Vistulian and Holocene changes in the Ner river valley in light of geological and palaeoecological data from the Ner-Zawada peatland

Th e Ner-Zawada peatland is located in the valley of the Ner River in Central Poland. It is a small fen peatland that was formed in the Allerod Period. In the Younger Dryas, it was transformed into a lake and became a peatland again in the Holocene. Within the peatland and around it, geological and archaeological research was carried out. A sediment core collected in the central part of the peatland was subjected to the analysis of pollen, fossil Cladocera, and absolute dating. Th is study allows a reconstruction of palaeoecological changes in the peatland and drawing conclusions about the palaeogeography of the middle section of the Ner River valley during the past 13 000 years.

Timing of the Late Vistulian (Weichselian) glacial phases in Poland

The Lower Vistula Region in northern Poland is a stratotype area for the Vistulian (Weichselian) glaciation and during Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) the southernmost extension of the Scandinavian ice sheet occurred in western Poland and in eastern Germany. Reinterpretation of the available geochronological data (radiocarbon, 36Cl and 10Be ages), supplied with new field geological evidence, mostly for the Late Vistulian ice sheet limits and movement directions, was focused in three key regions in Poland. During the late Middle Vistulian there was one or two ice sheet advances in the Lower Vistula region. The Late Vistulian maximum ice sheet limit in Poland was time-transgressive and occurred at 24–19 kyrs BP (generally, the younger to the east). Ice sheet limits during the Leszno Phase occurred at 24 cal/10Be/36Cl kyrs, the Poznań Phase ice sheet limit was dated to 19 10Be/36Cl kyrs and the Pomeranian Phase ice sheet limit about 16–17 10Be/36Cl kyrs. Every Late Vistulian glacial phase in Poland was preceded by an ice sheet retreat.

The Valley-Fill Deposits of the Kłodnica River (Southern Poland): Environmental Drivers of Facies Changes from the Late Vistulian Through the Holocene

Lithological analyses and radiocarbon dating were used to elucidate the patterns and controls of Late Quaternary valley floor development of the Kłodnica River, the Upper Odra Basin. The research results were discussed with data obtained from valleys of rivers draining piedmont basins and highlands of southern Poland. In consequence, five stages of morpho-sedimentary evolution of the Kłodnica valley were distinguished. In the Late Vistulian a large-scale deposition of channel alluvium took place in the conditions of high river discharges. This sedimentary style probably still existed in the Early Pre-Boreal as long as open grass communities survived in the Kłodnica catchment. The next phase, in the Late Pre-Boreal and Boreal, is characterized by a significant increase in accumulation rate of biochemical facies. The considerable restriction of minerogenic deposition was connected with widespread of forest and gradual limitation of the river discharges. The third stage began at the decline of the Boreal and was defined by decrease of accumulation rate or even biogenic accumulation break. Synchronously, periodic increases of fluvial activity were noticed in the form of cutoffs of meander loops and overbank deposition in oxbows. The beginning of the fourth period took place not earlier than in the Early Sub-Boreal. This stage was distinguished by renewed peat growth/increase in biochemical accumulation rate and periodic increase in alluviation, generally taking place in the conditions of low channel-forming flows. The latest phase (from the Middle Sub-Atlantic till now) is characterized by common initiation of slope deposition and a rapid increase in fluvial sedimentation, especially overbank and tributary fan facies. An increase in minerogenic deposition occurred in response to human impact, which became more significant from the Roman Period and occurred on a large scale from the early Middle Ages. Older settlement phases, including intense settlement from the Hallstatt Period, were not clearly recorded in the Kłodnica valley fill.