Sprecher
Beschreibung
Based on a detailed study of peat-forming plant communities and their pollen record (Henriet et al., in press), a study was conducted on fossil pollen to identify past human impacts on peatlands and to understand the local vegetation dynamics of such communities. The study focuses on two cores from two peatlands located in the southern edge of the French Massif Central: the Canroute peatland (Monts de Lacaune, Tarn, France) and the Nassettes peatland (Mont Lozère, Lozère, France). Using precise chronological control (16 and 15 radiocarbon dates, respectively), we have found that both peatlands initiated during the Late Glacial Interstadial, which is exceptional compared to the other peatlands in the region.
The Canroute peatland is one of the most remarkable peat-forming habitats of the studied area. It harbours a high plant species richness and several rare species, including some with strong oceanic affinity. The second peatland studied, the Nassettes, is among the largest peatlands in the Cévennes mountains. It is located at the interface between Atlantic, Mediterranean and continental influences. Its vicinity to ancient anthropogenic activities makes it an interesting site for studying the impact of human activities on local vegetation. The pollen record shows that both sites evolved mostly according to the hydroseral succession. Although, several indices of human activities such as Plantago, a well-known grazing pollen indicator, are recorded as irregular occurrences since 7000 cal. BP in Canroute and 6000 cal. BP in the Nassettes, could reveal the first local impacts of agropastoral practices in the Neolithic period.