Last interglacial vegetation and climate history from the Portuguese coast

We examine the Atlantic maritime vegetation history from Praia Rei Cortico, Portugal, to understand natural vegetation patterns and infer climatic conditions during the transition from the last interglacial to early glacial periods. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of quartz grains from sediments surrounding the 1.3-m-thick organic deposit date the section to within 120-89 ka. Pollen data were used to reconstruct the vegetation history and determine a range of possible past climates using an ensemble of seven modern analogue approaches. A five-part environmental sequence transitioned from heath-pine-dominated communities, deciduous hardwood forests and pine forests to heathlands surrounded by steppe-like environments. Mixed temperate and Mediterranean forest elements existed during the last interglacial period at Praia Rei Cortico, suggesting a proximal limit to these floras. Abundant Fagus pollen (>6%) suggests local beech populations existed within maritime forests of the Iberian Atlantic margin, representing a greater distribution of this genus during interglacial periods than has previously been recognized. Climate reconstructions indicate that variations in moisture availability may have been a major driver of the observed environmental changes.