Vegetation and climate record from Abric Romaní (Capellades, northeast Iberia) during the Upper Pleistocene (MIS 5d−3). (15th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biltekin, Demet; Burjachs, Francesc; Vallverdú, Josep; Sharp, Warren D.; Mertz-Kraus, Regina; Chacón, M. Gema; Saladié, Palmira; Bischoff, James L.; Carbonell, Eudald
• Is Part Of: Quaternary science reviews. Volume 220(2019)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2019-09-15
• Subjects: Pollen analysis -- Tufas -- Palaeoclimatology -- Palaeovegetation -- NE Iberian Peninsula; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.07.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3791

Abstract

Abstract: This study addresses the pollen record of Abric Romaní archaeological site and the climate evolution of the last interglacial and glacial stadials in the Iberian Peninsula. The new pollen record spans the interval from 110, 000 to 55, 000 years ago. In general, the glacial/stadial vegetation is characterized by a steppe and herbaceous communities indicating dry and cold climatic conditions, whereas the vegetation optimum of past interglacials can be described as pine-oaks with mediterranean forest indicating milder and moister climatic conditions. During the first half of the MIS 5a and the MIS 5c, the region was warmer, which is characterized by temperate forests. However, the existence of Artemisia steppes during the second part of the MIS 5a indicates that the degree of continentality can be related to the low winter temperatures and precipitation. During MIS 4, a colder and dryer climate enabled the development of open vegetation (dominated by Artemisia with Poaceae and other Asteraceae) around the study site. Highlights: The new pollen record from Abric Romani archaeological site covers the upper Pleistocene. The vegetation indicates changes from MIS5d to MIS3. The glacial/stadial vegetation is characterized by steppe and herbs indicating dry and cold climatic conditions. The climax vegetation of past interglacials can be described as forest expansion indicating milder and moister conditions.