Vegetation History in Central Croatia from ~10,000 Cal BC to the Beginning of Common Era—Filling the Palaeoecological Gap for the Western Part of South-Eastern Europe (Western Balkans)

The aim of this study was to reconstruct the vegetation changes, fire history and local landscape dynamics central Croatia (the western part south-eastern Europe) from 9800 cal yr BP beginning Common Era. Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs charcoal were analysed for first time in aforementioned area by modern palynological methods. Three different assemblage (sub)zones identified: “Pinus-Fagus-Quercetum mixtum” (Preboreal), “Fagus-Corylus” (Boreal) “Alnus-Fagus” (Atlantic, Subboreal older Subatlantic). Additionally, oldest observation (~9800 BP) beech pollen continental confirmed radiocarbon dating. Our results indicated a possibly milder climate with less extreme temperatures higher precipitation during Preboreal chronozone, alongside intensive flooding, transition mosaic wetland/wet grassland communities alder carr Boreal, an unusually long multi-thousand-year period, annual presence on mire itself. An increase number secondary anthropogenic indicators can be tracked 6th century BC Although regional changes are insufficiently clear, our fill gap interpretation vegetation/palaeoenvironmental before Era Europe.