Reconstruction of the Holocene Dynamics of Forest Fires in the Central Part of Meshcherskaya Lowlands According to Antracological Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a reconstruction of the Holocene dynamics of forest fires and their influence on vegetation in the central part of Meshcherskaya Lowland. The studies are based on macrocharcoal and pollen analyses and radiocarbon dating of peat deposits from the Studencheskoe peatland. According to the results, changes in the structure of the plant cover were largely determined by the fire regime during the Holocene. In the period of high forest-fire intensity (∼9200–6400 calendar years BP), the study area was occupied by birch-pine forests. The role of spruce and broad-leaved species in forest stands was increased in the period with a low frequency of forest fires (∼6400–1400 calendar years BP). The influence of fires on vegetation increased after 1400 calendar years BP due to human impact. The results show that periods of increased fire frequencies occurred before the human occupation of the area and were determined by climatic causes.