Vegetation dynamics in Dhofar, Oman, from the Late Holocene to present inferred from rock hyrax middens

Abstract Arid regions are especially vulnerable to climate change and land use. More than one-third of Earth's population relies on these ecosystems. Modern observations lack the temporal depth determine vegetation responses human activity, but paleoecological archaeological records can be used investigate relationships. Decreasing rainfall across Late Holocene provides a case study for response changing hydroclimate. Rock hyrax ( Procavia capensis ) middens preserve paleoenvironmental indicators in arid environments where traditional archives unavailable. Pollen from modern collected Dhofar, Oman, demonstrates reliability this archive. Pollen, stable isotope (δ 13 C, δ 15 N), microcharcoal data fossil reveal changes vegetation, relative moisture, fire 4000 cal yr BP present. Trees limited moister areas (e.g., Terminalia today existed farther inland at ~3100 BP. After ~2900 BP, taxa with more xeric affiliations Senegalia had increased. Coprophilous fungal spores Sporormiella grazing indicator pollen revealed an amplified signal domesticate ~1000 This indicates that trees associated semiarid were maintained interior desert during ~3000–4000 decreasing impacts activity intensified after transition drier environment.