The Holocene forest history of the Montes Universales, Teruel, Spain

A radiocarbon-dated peat core from Ojos del Tremedal, Montes Universales, Spain, provides insights into the dynamics of high montane forest communities in Central Iberia from the Lateglacial to the late Holo cene. The Lateglacial landscape was characterized by grassland dominated by Gramineae, Cyperaceae and Artemisia, together with Juniperus, which was invaded from c. 9600 cal. BP by Betula and Pinus as climate conditions improved. Given the reduced role that Betula plays currently in the region, its presence throughout most of the Holocene suggests that the area experienced more mesic conditions until c. 2500 cal. BP. Distinct signs of human interference in the vegetation are apparent from c. 3500 cal. BP.