THE HOLOCENE OF SOUTHWESTERN CRIMEA IN THE CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN THE NORTHERN BLACK SEA REGION

Holocene pollen records and soil development sequences in southwestern Crimea provide information on climatic change and early agricultural disturbance. The data of this study suggest fluctuations of ecological boundaries between mesic forests, steppes, and Sub-Mediterranean shrublands. This study attempts a correlation of climatic events with dated pollen sequences of the northern Black Sea coastal region. High frequencies of broadleaf trees suggest an increase of temperatures and moisture between ca. 9500 and 8000 years BP. The dominant trees were Quercus, Ulmus, Corylus, and Carpinus. In addition, traces of Betula and Acer pollen are found during this phase, but not in the subsequent phases, suggesting the final withdrawal of boreal trees from Crimea. Between ca. 8000 and 7000 BP, an increase Poaceae, Knautia and other herbs at the expense of AP marked a period of steppization. The development of a chernozem soil suggests steppe-like cool and dry continental conditions. Between 7500 and 5000 years BP Pistacia, Jasminum, Cistaceae and other Mediterranean and Sub-Mediterranean plant taxa appear for the first time in the sequences. The complete withdrawal of boreal trees and the reduction of nemoral trees are two additional characteristics of this phase. Pistacia and Quercus pubescens and a variety of shrubs dominate the arboreal pollen, suggesting higher temperatures and strong moisture seasonality. The formation of a cinnamonic (calfersic) soil suggests higher temperatures and a prolonged summer drought. The expansion of Quercus pubescens and Ulmus takes place around 5000 years BP, characterizing a relatively humid phase. Then, the reduction of tree pollen and the formation of calcic horizons in soils suggest a dry phase around 4000 years BP. Woodland expansion occurs again around 3000 years BP. The establishment of Greek farms in the 5th and 4th centuries BC are marked by the reduction of broadleaf tree pollen is coupled with the increase in cultivated plants. An increase in arboreal pollen during the first millennium AD was the result of climatic amelioration coupled with farm abandonment.