Pollen and Molecular Biomarkers from Sedimentary Archives in the Central Po Plain (N Italy): Assessing Their Potential to Deepen Changes in Natural and Agricultural Systems

This paper proposes to improve the information provided by biological indicators from sedimentary archives integrating biomolecular techniques and botanical skills. study represents a first proposal for combining pollen markers detect land use knowledge of past environmental change drivers. The specific aim research is verify relationship between miliacin (a pentacyclic triterpene methyl ether, usually interpreted as broomcorn millet biomarker) Panicum in three near-site stratigraphic sequences Terramara S. Rosa di Poviglio (Po Plain, N Italy). cores span last ~15,000 years potentially record beginning miliaceum cultivation attested area since at least Bronze Age within Terramare culture. Despite fact that grains were rare spectra was barely detectable most 31 samples selected analyses, their combined evidence testifies local presence plant. suggest adoption crops during Recent culture, when climatic instability led diversification cereal shift drought-tolerant varieties.