A palaeoecological interpretation of an Eemian floral assemblage in the Scheldt Valley at Liefkenshoek near Antwerp (Belgium)
Vanhoorne, R.; Ferguson, D.K. (1997). A palaeoecological interpretation of an Eemian floral assemblage in the Scheldt Valley at Liefkenshoek near Antwerp (Belgium). Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol. 97(1-2): 97-107. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0034-6667(96)00069-3
Microscopic and macroscopic plant remains, found in greyish, cross-bedded sands exposed on the left bank of the River Scheldt at Beveren during preparatory excavations for the construction of a tunnel under the river, are discussed.
The pollen assemblages, while dominated by Pinus, contain a pollen association of Picea and Carpinus, which is characteristic of a terminal Eemian age. The spectra were also used to confirm the presence of a number of taxa otherwise known as diaspores, to indicate the presence of additional taxa, whose diaspores do not easily fossilize, and as a means of expanding our knowledge of extra-local elements.
The diaspores were identified as accurately as possible and their ecological signal evaluated. The fruits and seeds would appear to have been derived from plant communities representing a diversity of habitats, i.e. fully aquatic communities (Charetea, Potametea), swamps and mires (Phragmitetea, Parvocaricetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea), pioneers of bare ground (Chenopodietea, Plantaginetea majoris, Bidentetea), heathland (Nardo-Callunetea) and different types of forest, e.g. Alder Carr (Alnetea glutinosae), deciduous forest and mantle communities (Querco-Fagetea and Rhamno-Prunetea) and pinewoods (Vaccinio-Piceetea). Knowledge of these habitats is used to envisage the vegetation of the vanished landscape.
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