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Postglacial evolution of vegetation and environment in the Scheldt Basin (northern Belgium)

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Abstract

The infill of abandoned river channels is the main information source on postglacial vegetation and landscape evolution in inland northern Belgium. Palynological studies of these deposits also contribute to a better understanding of the environmental context of the numerous archaeological sites in this area. The results are presented of palynological analyses, including pollen, spores, non-pollen palynomorphs and microcharcoal from the palaeochannel infill at seven sites in the Scheldt and Durme valleys in northern Belgium. Based on the regional vegetation evolution and radiocarbon dating, a biozonation for the Scheldt Basin is constructed encompassing the final Late-glacial and Holocene period. The local taxa show a hydroseral succession from open-water environment, through reed or sedge fen to carr forest. Salix and Viburnum opulus were important elements in the Early Holocene riparian and carr vegetation, but are often underrepresented in pollen diagrams from larger valleys. There are indications for human disturbance and agriculture between 7,000 and 6,400 cal bp. The simultaneous decline of elm and lime in the study area around 4,000 cal bp can be linked to human impact.

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Acknowledgments

This publication presents the combined results of studies financed by Waterways and Sea Canal Agency and Flanders Heritage Agency. Part of the research was carried out during a 1 year special PhD fellowship by the Research Fund – Flanders (FWO) to A.S. Erwin Meylemans and Jan Bastiaens are acknowledged for assistance during fieldwork. The constructive remarks by two anonymous reviewers are acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Research Unit Palaeontology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Annelies Storme & Stephen Louwye

  2. Department of Archaeology, Research Unit Prehistory and Protohistory, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33-35, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Philippe Crombé

  3. Flanders Heritage Agency, Koning Albert II-laan 19, Bus 5, 1210, Brussels, Belgium

    Koen Deforce

  4. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium

    Koen Deforce

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  1. Annelies Storme
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  2. Stephen Louwye
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  3. Philippe Crombé
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  4. Koen Deforce
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Correspondence to Annelies Storme.

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Communicated by F. Bittmann.

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Storme, A., Louwye, S., Crombé, P. et al. Postglacial evolution of vegetation and environment in the Scheldt Basin (northern Belgium). Veget Hist Archaeobot 26, 293–311 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-016-0594-7

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