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(1) The results of pollen-stratigraphic, radiocarbon and tree-ring evidence from several sites in the Loch Tulla area, southern Rannoch Moor, western Scottish Highlands, indicate the following regional pine history: (i) major expansion of pine woodland at c. 6800-6600 B.P.; (ii) significant reduction in regional pine cover between 6600 and 4970 B.P.; (iii) a second expansion of pine wood and throughout the region at c. 4970-4660 B.P.; (iv) major differences between the sites in the representation of pine after c. 4660 B.P. (2) These data are compared with evidence from Scotland as a whole for radiocarbon- dated pine macrofossils obtained from Holocene peat deposits and for 'pluvial' climatic episodes identified from previously published stable isotope studies. (3) Collectively the available data indicate that the density and distribution of pine varied significantly in Scotland during the Holocene probably as a result of variations in precipitation levels. Stable isotope variations indicate particularly wet conditions at c. 7500, 6250-5800,4250-3870 and 3300 B.P.; histogram plots of radiocarbon dates of pine macrofossils from Scotland indicate significant troughs at 5700-5250, 3800-3500 and post-3250 B.P. A time-lag between climatic change and consequent pine reduction is indicated.
Bridge et al. (Thu,) studied this question.