An evaluation of the climatic conditions during the Late Quaternary in northern Greece by means of multivariate analysis of palynological data and comparison with recent phytosociological and climatic data

Abstract

An analysis of the different interglacial forest phases and glacial steppe phases in the vegetation history of northern Greece, as recorded in the first 86 metres of the Tenagi Philippon core, resulted in the distinction of three forest vegetations and one steppe vegetation. From the comparison of those vegetation data with the present day occurrence of the various forest and steppe vegetations and the corresponding climatic data, an estimation of climatic conditions (temperature and precipitation) during the Late Quaternary was made. Typically, in the beginning of the interglacials an open forest vegetation characterized by Pistacia was found, indicative for warm conditions and wet summers and winters. Relatively soon summers became drier, forcing an evergreen oak forest to develop. During the second half of the interglacials deciduous forests and cool, wet conditions prevailed. At the glacial maxima a dry continental climate with cold winters accompanied a steppe vegetation. The results suggest that winter conditions are more important in determining the nature of the vegetation in the Mediterranean and that the maquis and garrigue are purely man made vegetations, as its elements occurred in different periods in the past.