Effects of Holocene climate change, volcanism and mass migration on the ecosystem of a small, dry island (Brava, Cabo Verde)

Aim Palaeoecological data provide an essential long-term perspective of ecological change and its drivers in oceanic islands. However, analysing the effects multi-scalar potentially co-occurring disturbances is particularly challenging dry Here, we aim to identify consequences integrated impacts a regional drying trend, volcanic eruptions human mass migrations spatially constrained environment—a small, island Macaronesia. Location Brava Island, Republic Cabo Verde. Taxa Terrestrial vegetation fungi. Methods We use palaeoecological analyses applied caldera soil profile that dates back 9700 cal yr BP (calibrated years before present). Analyses include pollen (vegetation history), non-pollen palynomorphs (changes fern fungal communities), grain-size distribution, loss-on-ignition geochemistry (sedimentology erosion regimes), microscopic tephra shards (volcanic ash deposition) charcoal (fire regime). Results A trend after c. 4000 caused increased but had limited immediate on highland grassland vegetation. The expansion fern-rich woody scrubland was contemporaneous with significant deposition between 1800 650 BP. About 300 BP, exogenous plants expanded, grazing fires increased, there decrease native cover. Main conclusions Throughout Holocene, characterized by presence open landscapes dominated herbaceous species (e.g. Poaceae, Forsskaolea), some taxa Ficus, Dodonaea). driver since Mid Holocene did not have influence Tephra possible change. Inter-island migration events Fogo Island 1680 CE triggered land intensification, causing reduction Brava.