Pollen records from lacustrine core DK-1 obtained from the Durankulak Lake (Northeastern Bulgaria) were used to reconstruct the past vegetation communities and to simulate past landscapes. A series of 30 km by 30 km landscape simulations were conducted for eleven past time windows, selected as particularly significant for vegetation dynamics, landscape evolution and anthropogenisation. Comparison between observed modern vegetation and simulated results demonstrated strong agreement, confirming the reliability of the models. Quantitative reconstructions for the Durankulak Lake region indicate a clear pattern of forest landscape decline, largely replaced by agricultural areas. After 2490 cal yr. BP, the first pollen signals for the presence of Longoz forests are noted, with a tendency for these landscapes to increase. Sandy landscapes are decreasing their participation. Simulated landscapes based on these reconstructions indicated a greater degree of human impact and landscape openness than suggested by pollen percentages alone.
Stoyan Vergiev (Sat,) studied this question.