Late Weichselian flora and vegetation of Andøya, Northern Norway‐macrofossil (seed and fruit) evidence from Nedre Æråsvatn

Abstract

A Late Weichselian sediment column from Nedre Æråsvatn, Andøya, Northern Norway, spanning c. 20000 to 11000 B.P., has been analysed with respect to phanerogam macrofossils. Seeds are rare in the lower, marine part of the sequence (19500 to 15500 B.P.). They occur more frequently in the post‐15500 B.P. lacustrine sediments. Maximum seed numbers are associated with the 16000 to 15000 B.P. and 12800 B.P. (Bølling) ameliorations. Puccinellia and Papaver radicatum s.1. are the two main seed types. Their distribution and numbers agree with the Poaceae and Papaver pollen curves. Two main vegetation types are suggested to be dominant during most of the Late Weichselian: Plains and depressions with prominent Puccinellia , and polar deserts with Papaver , both in a dry environment. Both vegetation types decreased in the more humid climate of the Older Dryas and Allerød chronozones (12000 to 11000 B.P). Some hardy plant species, e.g. Papaver radicatum s.1., may have survived the entire Weichselian glaciation on Andøya. For most other phanerogams, a history of immigration and subsequent in situ survival, migration or disappearance is suggested.