Palynological study of Holocene sediments from Lake Doirani in northern Greece

A palynological investigation was conducted on two cores with Holocene sediments collected from the northeastern littoral part of the border Lake Doirani in northern Greece. The radiocarbon dates indicated that the analyzed sediments accumulated during the last 5000 yrs. The pollen-stratigraphic record revealed the environmental changes in the catchment area, starting from a natural undisturbed landscape to one modified by increasing anthropogenic influences. The tree vegetation dominated by Quercus woods in the lowlands and by Pinus, Abies, and Fagus at higher altitudes, lasted for the period 2900-830 cal. B.C. Subsequently it was replaced by xerothermic herb and tree vegetation as a result of intensive human activity - land farming and stock-breeding. The accumulation of sediments with more sand and gravel in historical time was the result of increased erosion.