Swiss vegetation history during the last 18 000 years

• Published in: New Phytologist
• Main Author: BURGA, C. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1988
• Subjects: Plant Science; Physiology; Jura; Tundra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1988.tb00298.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-8137.1988.tb00298.x; https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1988.tb00298.x

summary This paper gives a detailed outline of Swiss vegetation history during the last 18 000 years. For each pollen zone, a map is given showing vegetation development from the late Würmian to the present. A concise historical review of the Swiss pollen analytical research during the last 60 years is presented is followed by some discussion of the central European glacial refugia. Based on a selection of over 100 pollen‐analytically investigated sites, the development of Swiss vegetation since the late Würmian can be presented as follows: Oldest Dryas. After the Wurm maximum the ice network melted back quickly to small mountain glaciers. At some localities, several types of an Artemisia‐Chenopodiaceae‐Jitniperus‐Ephedra‐Helianthemim Poaceae steppe/tundra have been recorded, representing an apparent uniformity over the whole Swiss area. Böiling Interstadial. This first, late Würmian, warm phase is characterized by the occurrence of Betula, Hippophaë, Juniperus, Ephedra and Salix. Older Dryas , Little evidence for this period has yet been found in Switzerland. Alleröd Interstadial. This marked warm phase led to a typical late Wiirmian reforestation, with both Betula and Pinus up to about 1200–1600 m above sea level. Younger Dryas. In the whole alpine area there is good evidence for this last, late Würmian climate deterioration, which led to renewed glacier activity and to an alpine timber‐line depression of 200–300 m. Preboreal. For the central Alps and the Prealps a wide occurrence of Pinus sylvestris/mugo, P. cembra, Larix and Betula has been recorded, whereas in southern Switzerland the first mixed oak forest developed. Boreal. Corytus and mixed oak forest spread in some cases rapidly over a wide area, chiefly in the Prealps, the Plateau, the Jura and in southern Switzerland. In the high mountains Pinus sylvestris/mugo, P. cembra and Larix still dominated. Older Atlantic. In both the Plateau and the Prealps, Corylus and mixed oak forest dominated, whereas in the continental Alps Pinus sylvestris/mugo, P. ...