The transformation of the forest steppe in the lower Danube Plain of southeastern Europe: 6000 years of vegetation and land use dynamics

Abstract. Forest steppes are dynamic ecosystems, highly susceptible to changes in climate, disturbances and land use. Here we examine the Holocene history of European forest steppe ecotone lower Danube Plain better understand its sensitivity climate fluctuations, fire human impact, timing transition into a cultural steppe. We used multi-proxy analyses (pollen, n-alkanes, coprophilous fungi, charcoal geochemistry) 6000-year sequence from Lake Oltina (southeastern Romania) combined with REVEALS (Regional Estimates Vegetation Abundance Large Sites) model quantitative vegetation cover. found greater tree cover, composed xerothermic (Carpinus orientalis Quercus) temperate betulus, Tilia, Ulmus Fraxinus) taxa, between 6000 2500 cal yr BP. Maximum cover (? 50 %), dominated by C. occurred 4200 BP at time wetter climatic conditions moderate activity. Compared other areas, dominance represents most distinct feature woodland's composition this time. Tree loss was underway (Iron Age), indicating fall ? 20 % Late maximum, linked clearance for agriculture, while remained wet. Biomass burning increased markedly BP, suggesting that regularly as management tool until 1000 when woody became scarce. A sparse only weak signs recovery, then permanent characteristic Plain, highlighting more or less continuous anthropogenic pressure. The ecosystem transformation here (2500 BP) falls central-eastern (between 3700 3000 eastern (after 2000 Europe. Our study is first estimate southeastern Europe spanning years. It provides critical empirical evidence that, broad spatial scale, present-day woodlands reflect potential natural region under current conditions. However, extent have been neither stable nor shaped solely climate. Consequently, change must be seen reflecting wider environmental including impact.