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The Allerød/Younger Dryas transition in Wolin Island, northwest Poland, as reflected by pollen, macrofossils, and chemical content of an organic layer separating two aeolian series

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Abstract

A palaeoecological study including pollen, macrofossils, and chemical analyses of an organic sediment separating two series of aeolian cover sands has enabled us to reconstruct environmental changes during the Allerød/Younger Dryas transition in Wolin Island, northwest Poland. The Allerød woodland dominated by Pinus sylvestris became more open at the beginning of the Younger Dryas, when aeolian (wind) activity resulted in instability of the soil. During the early phase of the Younger Dryas the water level in the local basin distinctly raised, indicating a change to a wetter climate. This short-lasting phase was followed by an increased frequency and intensity of aeolian processes. However, the main aeolian event took place before the major expansion of Juniperus, not later than 10,780±120 b.p. Frequent woodland fires, probably due to the activities of Palaeolithic people, have been documented both for the Allerød and the Younger Dryas periods. Macrofossils of Alnus sp. found in the Allerød layer are of special interest in showing the presence of alder trees in northwest Poland as early as the Late-glacial.

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Acknowledgements

This paper is dedicated to Brigitta Ammann in appreciation of her contribution to the development of interdisciplinary studies and her stimulation of international co-operation in palaeoecology.

The authors thank Z. Tomczyńska (Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences) for charcoal analysis and our colleagues T. Duda and R. Woziński from the University of Szczecin for assistance in the field and J. Tomkowiak for geochemical analyses. H. Bos, L. Wick and Pim van der Knaap are acknowledged for their useful comments on the manuscript and for its linguistic improvement.

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  1. Laboratory of Palaeoecology and Archaeobotany, Department of Plant Ecology, University of Gdańsk, Al. Legionów 9, 80441, Gdańsk, Poland

    Małgorzata Latałowa

  2. Department of Geology and Palaeogeography, Marine Research Institute, University of Szczecin, ul. Felczaka 3A, 71412, Szczecin, Poland

    Ryszard Krzysztof Borówka

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  1. Małgorzata Latałowa
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Latałowa, M., Borówka, R.K. The Allerød/Younger Dryas transition in Wolin Island, northwest Poland, as reflected by pollen, macrofossils, and chemical content of an organic layer separating two aeolian series. Veget Hist Archaeobot 15, 321–331 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-006-0062-x

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