Holocene vegetation, fire and climate interactions on the westernmost fringe of the Mediterranean Basin

Morales‐Molino, César; García-Antón, Mercedes; Mijarra, José María Postigo; Morla, Carlos

doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.10.027

Cited by 73 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…This gradient has been also invoked as one of the main factors to explain Holocene vegetation dynamics in the Iberian Central Range (Franco-Mugica et al, 1998;Morales-Molino et al, 2013). Later, pine was replaced as the dominant tree by birch, then by oak, and finally by alder and other mesophytes, following the typical successional process in oceanic areas of western Iberia (Maldonado, 1994;van der Knaap and van Leeuwen, 1995;Allen et al, 1996;Garcia-Roves, 2007).…”

Section: Early Holocene: Inertia and Successionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Thus, there is another noticeable similarity between the Northern Iberian Plateau and the mountains of southeastern Iberia, where the mid-Holocene was also characterized by low fire activity (Carrion, 2002;Gil-Romera et al, 2010). On the contrary, fire activity remained almost unchanged in the more oceanic areas of western Iberia (Connor et al, 2012;Morales-Molino et al, 2013) or even increased in the southern Pyrenees (Perez-Sanz et al, 2013). The dominance of closed deciduous forests could be the cause for minimum values of palynological richness during this period, as shady understory limits the development of herbs and shrubs.…”

Section: Mid-holocene: Maximum Development Of Temperate Forestsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In addition, those woodlands were dominated by pines, which are highly flammable. High summer insolation would have promoted the formation of thunderstorms and, consequently, the likelihood of lightning ignition, making the early Holocene a period of high fire occurrence in most of the western Mediterranean (Carrion, 2002;Vanniere et al, 2008;Connor et al, 2012;Morales-Molino et al, 2013). 11.2 and 8.2 ka events, characterized by climatic cooling and enhanced dryness have been detected in other paleoecological records from northern Iberia (e.g., Gonzalez-Samperiz et al, 2006;Munoz Sobrino et al, 2013;PerezSanz et al, 2013) but the resolution of the Ayoo sedimentary sequence did not allow to recognize these climatic reversals.…”

Section: Early Holocene: Inertia and Successionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Focusing on the Northern Iberian Plateau, most of the existing sequences spanning the Holocene are located in its eastern half (Garcia-Anton et al, 1995;Munoz Sobrino et al, 1996;FrancoMugica et al, 2001;Iriarte et al, 2001;Iriarte-Chiapusso et al, 2003;Franco-Mugica et al, 2005;Garcia-Anton et al, 2011), while almost no paleoecological information is available from the western sector Morales-Molino et al, 2013). Furthermore, some of these sites record only part of the Holocene or lack an accurate chronology, reinforcing the importance of obtaining new paleoecological data with a well-established chronological framework.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation and fire history since the last glacial maximum in an inland area of the western Mediterranean Basin (Northern Iberian Plateau, NW Spain)

Morales‐Molino

García-Antón

2014

Quat. res.

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We reconstructed vegetation responses to climate oscillations, fire and human activities since the last glacial maximum in inland NW Iberia, where previous paleoecological research is scarce. Extremely sparse and open vegetation composed of steppic grasslands and heathlands with scattered pioneer trees suggests very cold and dry conditions during the Oldest Dryas, unsuitable for tree survival in the surroundings of the study site. Slight woodland expansion during the Bolling/Allerod was interrupted by the Younger Dryas cooling. Pinewoods dominated for most of the early Holocene, when a marked increase in fire activity occurred. Deciduous trees expanded later reaching their maximum representation during the mid-Holocene. Enhanced fire activity and the presence of coprophilous fungi around 6400-6000 cal yr BP suggest an early human occupation around the site. However, extensive deforestation only started at 4500 calyr BP, when fire was used to clear the tree canopy. Final replacement of woodlands with heathlands, grasslands and cereal crops occurred from 2700 cal yr BP onwards due to land-use intensification. Our paleoecological record can help efforts aimed at restoring the natural vegetation by indicating which communities were dominant at the onset of heavy human impact, thus promoting the recovery of currently rare oak and alder stands.

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Section: Early Holocene: Inertia and Successionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Mid-holocene: Maximum Development Of Temperate Forestsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Early Holocene: Inertia and Successionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation and fire history since the last glacial maximum in an inland area of the western Mediterranean Basin (Northern Iberian Plateau, NW Spain)

Morales‐Molino

García-Antón

2014

Quat. res.

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“…This makes our analysis especially interesting, particularly in the westernmost area of this mountain chain, where few palynological studies have been carried out (e.g: Janssen and Woldringh, 1981;Atienza Ballano, 1993;Van der Knapp and Van Leeuwen, 1995;Abel Schaad et al, 2009;Abel-Schaad and López Sáez, 2013;Morales-Molino et al, 2013;López-Sáez et al, 2013). This paper describes the main changes in the vegetation of the Hurdes region through the analysis of pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and microcharcoals obtained in the peat deposit of La Meseguera.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heathlands, fire and grazing. A palaeoenvironmental view of Las Hurdes (Cáceres, Spain) history during the last 1200 years

Schaad¹,

López‐Sáez²,

Pulido³

2014

For. syst.

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Aim of study. The diachronic study of vegetation change through palynological analysis of sedimentary deposits is an essential tool both to design sound strategies on landscape management and to understand its anthropogenic dynamics.Area of study. La Meseguera mire (Ladrillar, Cáceres, Spain) is located in the Hurdes region in the western part of Iberian Central System and started to develop at the beginning of the Islamic period (ca. 770 cal AD), in an area widely dominated by heathland. Material and methods. Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and charcoal accumulation rate (CHAR) combined with historical data are useful indicators to assess the increasing role of human influence on vegetation.Main results. The use of fire and livestock husbandry represents the main drivers of landscape change in the course of the history. The establishment of forest afforestation plans, from the middle of 20th century, changed substantially the regional features. The sporadic presence of beech pollen is detected until 16th century, which implies the most western location in the Iberian Central Mountain System.Research highlights. The integration of pollen analysis and historical data is an essential tool when studying the changes in Holocene vegetation. These changes have been mainly driven by anthropogenic disturbances, more specifically by fire and livestock husbandry.Key Words: Anthropogenic dynamics; Central Mountain System; microcharcoals; non-pollen palynomorphs.

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Unprecedented herbivory threatens rear‐edge populations of Betula in southwestern Eurasia

Morales‐Molino

Tinner

Perea

et al. 2019

Ecology

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Mediterranean rear‐edge populations of Betula, located at the southwestern Eurasian margin of the distribution range, represent unique reservoirs of genetic diversity. However, increasing densities of wild ungulates, enhanced dryness, and wildfires threaten their future persistence. A historical perspective on the past responses of these relict populations to changing herbivory, fire occurrence and climatic conditions may contribute to assessing their future responses under comparable scenarios. We have reconstructed vegetation and disturbance (grazing, fire) history in the Cabañeros National Park (central‐southern Spain) using the paleoecological records of two small mires. We particularly focused on the historical range of variation in disturbance regimes, and the dynamics of rear‐edge Betula populations and herbivore densities. Changes in water availability, probably related to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, and land‐use history have played a crucial role in vegetation shifts. Our data suggest that heathlands (mainly Erica arborea and E. scoparia) and Quercus woodlands dominated during dry phases while Sphagnum bogs and Betula stands expanded during wet periods. Betula populations survived past moderately dry periods but were unable to cope with enhanced land use, particularly increasing livestock raising since ~1,100–900 cal. yr BP (850–1,050 CE), and eventually underwent local extinction. High herbivore densities not only contributed to the Betula demise but also caused the retreat of Sphagnum bogs. Ungulate densities further rose at ~200–100 cal. yr BP (1750–1850 CE) associated with the historically documented intensification of land use around the Ecclesiastical Confiscation. However, herbivory reached truly unprecedented values only during the last decades, following rural depopulation and subsequent promotion of big game hunting. For the first time in temperate and Mediterranean Europe, we have used the abundances of fossil dung fungal spores to assess quantitatively that current high herbivore densities exceed the historical range of variation. In contrast, present fire activity lies within the range of variation of the last millennia, with fires (mainly human‐set) mostly occurring during dry periods. Our paleodata highlight the need of controlling the densities of wild ungulates to preserve ecosystem composition and functioning. We also urge to restore Betula populations in suitable habitats where they mostly disappeared because of excessive human activities.

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Holocene vegetation, fire and climate interactions on the westernmost fringe of the Mediterranean Basin

Cited by 73 publications

References 74 publications

Vegetation and fire history since the last glacial maximum in an inland area of the western Mediterranean Basin (Northern Iberian Plateau, NW Spain)

Vegetation and fire history since the last glacial maximum in an inland area of the western Mediterranean Basin (Northern Iberian Plateau, NW Spain)

Heathlands, fire and grazing. A palaeoenvironmental view of Las Hurdes (Cáceres, Spain) history during the last 1200 years

Unprecedented herbivory threatens rear‐edge populations of Betula in southwestern Eurasia

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