The occurrence of former heathland vegetation in the coastal areas of the south-east Baltic sea, in particular Lithuania: a review

Previously published pollen diagrams from the coastal area of the south-east Baltic Sea including parts of the Polish and Lithuanian peninsulas, Mierzeja Wilana (Frische Nehrung) and Kuršių Nerija (Courland Spit) respectively, document the former presence of heathland vegetation and an associated bu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Vegetation history and archaeobotany 2003-10, Vol.12 (3), p.165-175
Main Authors: Savukynienė, Nijolė, Moe, Dagfinn, Ūsaitytė, Daiva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Buried soils
Burning
Charcoal
Coastal zone
Environmental studies
Flora
Geology
Heathlands
Human influences
Methodology and general studies
Peninsulas
Plants
Pollen
Prehistory and protohistory
Sand dunes
Sandspits
Vegetation
Woodlands
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Summary:Previously published pollen diagrams from the coastal area of the south-east Baltic Sea including parts of the Polish and Lithuanian peninsulas, Mierzeja Wilana (Frische Nehrung) and Kuršių Nerija (Courland Spit) respectively, document the former presence of heathland vegetation and an associated burning practice. This type of human influence can be dated back to ca. 1200 B.P. at the latest, and was maintained until the 18th century. It is suggested that this former Calluna-dominated vegetation belonged to the known west to north-west European heathland vegetation. Several dwarf shrub taxa, such as Genista spp. and Erica tetralix, normally connected to heathland vegetation, may have had a former wider distribution.
ISSN:0939-6314
1617-6278
DOI:10.1007/s00334-003-0008-5