Sedimentary Ancient DNA Reveals Local Vegetation Changes Driven by Glacial Activity and Climate

Disentangling the effects of glaciers and climate on vegetation is complicated by confounding role that plays in both systems. We reconstructed changes occurring over Holocene at Jøkelvatnet, a lake located directly downstream from Langfjordjøkel glacier northern Norway. used sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) metabarcoding dataset 38 samples sediment core spanning 10,400 years using primers targeting P6 loop trnL (UAA) intron. A total 193 plant taxa were identified revealing pattern continually increasing richness time period. Vegetation surveys conducted around Jøkelvatnet show high concordance with through sedaDNA metabarcoding. four distinct assemblage zones transitions ca. 9.7, 8.4 4.3 ka first last mirroring climatic shifts recorded glacier. Soil disturbance trait values increased glacial activity, suggesting had direct impact plants growing catchment. Temperature optimum moisture correlated activity variables showing indirect change vegetation. In contrast to other catchments without an active glacier, has displayed sensitivity throughout Middle Late Holocene. Beyond arctic alpine vegetation, our results suggest ongoing disappearance will have additional effect communities.