Some Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Pollen Profiles from Poland

Abstract

Some palynological profiles of Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene sediments from central Poland are described and from them five stages of vegetational development have been distinguished. Stage I, represented in the Różce profile, is characterized by mesophilous forests with predominance of warm-temperate deciduous trees, considerable admixtures of Tertiary elements (up to 40 %) and low frequency of NAP (up to 10 %). This stage can be correlated with the Reuverian stage of Western Europe. Stage II is characterized by the decrease in all warm-temperate elements (Carpinus, Fagus, Quercus, Tilia, Ulmus), increasing Betula and NAP (Artemisia, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae) up 40 %, and the absence of Tertiary elements. This stage can be correlated with the Pretiglian. Stage III is characterized by the increase of warm-temperate elements and the presence of up to 20 % Tertiary relicts (Myriea, Nyssa, Pterocarya, Taxodiaceae-Cupressaceae). Azolla tegeliensis is also present. This stage, represented in the Ponurzyca, Różce, Lasek, and Kaczorówek profiles, can be correlated with the Tiglian. Stage IV is a cool period similar to the stage II. It is represented in the Ponurzyca, Różce and Kaczorówek profiles. Nearly all warm-temperate elements disappear, there are no Tertiary elements, and NAP reaches its maximum (about 45 %). This stage can be correlated with the Eburonian cool period. Stage V has an interglacial character with predominant deciduous temperate elements (Corylus, Quereus, Ulmus) with up to 15 % Tertiary relicts (Castanea, Pterocarya, Taxodiaceae-Cupressaceae, Tsuga). This stage represented only at Różce, can be correlated with the Waalian interglacial.