Lake Neor reveals how mountain vegetation responded to 7000 years of hydroclimate variability in northwestern Iran

Palynological and geochemical analyses provide valuable information about modern past climatic regimes vegetation. The impact of climate humans on vegetation in the semi-arid areas northwestern Iran has received increased interest wake warming temperatures Middle East. down-core XRF elemental abundances from a peat core Lake Neor enabled reconstruction vegetational changes 7000 years over highlands Iran. Periods arboreal pollen (AP) types high (Artemisia + Poaceae)/Chenopodiaceae ratios along with low titanium abundances, percentages total organic carbon, more negative ?D values, higher carbon accumulation rates suggest relatively wet climate. These conditions have persisted during periods 6700–6200, 5200–4450 3200–2200 cal bp. overall AP substantial rise Chenopodiaceae, Ti values palaeo-redox proxies, are all evidences drier climate, as been reconstructed for 6200–5200 4030–3150 bp last 2200 years. An important feature centuries is increase anthropogenic pastoral indicator types. Our results may basic data to predict future trends dynamics under change western Asia.