Palynological evidence from a sub-alpine marsh of enhanced Little Ice Age snowpack in the Marrakech High Atlas, North Africa

Abstract The grazing lands of the High Atlas are vulnerable to climate change and decline traditional management practices. However, prior mid-20th century, there is little information examine historical environmental resilience past variability. Here, we present a new pollen, non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) microcharcoal record from sub-alpine marsh (pozzine) at Oukaïmeden, located in Marrakech Atlas, Morocco. reveals history impacts with diverse non-arboreal pollen assemblages dominant throughout as well recurrent shifts between wetter drier conditions. A large suite radiocarbon dates ( n = 22) constrains deposit last ~ 1,000 years although multiple reversed ages preclude development robust age-depth model for all intervals. Between relatively dry conditions during Medieval period 20th intervening wet observed, which interpret locally enhanced snowpack Little Ice Age. Hydrological fluctuations evidenced by wetland NPPs possibly associated centennial-scale precipitation variability regional speleothem records. an herbaceous grassland flora resilient against climatic through millennium, supported sustainable collective practices agdal ), indicators suggesting flourishing pastoral economy. floristic changes increases charcoal accumulation point practices, diversification land-use (including afforestation) intensification human activity.