Botanical composition of meadows and pastures and their role in the functioning of early medieval semi-artificial lake islands in Ziemia Lubuska (Lubusz land), western Poland

Abstract Continuation of archaeobotanical and palaeoecological research on three semi-artificial lake islands, Nowy Dworek, Chycina Lubniewice, has provided new information the history, development use grasslands in Ziemia Lubuska (Lubusz land) western Poland during early Middle Ages. Pollen analysis reveals that reduction woodland opening up regional landscape appearance grassland communities there began around 7th century ad , which preceded construction islands lakes. The plant macroremains collected from settlement layers these pollen cores lakes studies phytosociological recent vegetation have helped to describe botanical composition past meadows pastures. results show strong similarities between sites, suggests local populations were using same types, soils ranging damp rather dry sandy. main vicinity included Molinio-Arrhenatheretea syntaxonomical class communities, although Festuco-Brometea also present. presence remains associated with various other types pastures shows diversity habitats represented by remains.