Palaeobiodiversity of Knyszyn Forest (NE Poland) Mires Based on the Late Glacial and Holocene Histories of Vascular Plant Species

Peat and lacustrine sediments are a valuable source of knowledge about past biodiversity. Plant macrofossil remains were identified in mires northeastern Poland’s Knyszyn Forest. Among them, the species currently absent this area, such as Potamogeton pusillus, P. friesii, filiformis, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Cladium mariscus, have been found. In addition, history Betula humilis its possible correlations with another bush birch—Betula nana—were interest. Radiocarbon dating allowed presence studied to be placed within time frame, it was thus established that aquatic existed area under study during Late Glacial turn Holocene. mariscus occurred Greenlandian Meghalayan stages Holocene then became intolerant habitat changes occurred. The coexistence two birch known exist since interrupted Northgrippian. B. nana, disappeared from continued occur more resistant changing environmental conditions. It must emphasized, however, these conclusions made by researchers’ access undisturbed deposits. present remain good condition, providing important relevant materials for palaeoecological research.