Integrated palaeoecological and historical data in the service of fine-resolution land use and ecological change assessment during the last 1000 years in Rõuge, southern Estonia

摘要: Aims  Our aim is to reconstruct decadal scale development of historical landscapes during the last 1000 years by means fossil pollen analysis annually laminated lake sediments, and detailed maps documents. Location  Lake Rouge Tougjarv (Estonia), a small with sediments situated in dense prehistoric setting. Methods  The chronology palaeodata based on annual laminations supported AMS 14C 210Pb dating 137Cs, 241Am, spheroidal carbonaceous particle marker horizons. time-scale resolution allows fine sampling (the samples generally comprise 3.5 years) vegetation change reconstruction. Relevant source area (RSAP) was estimated, statistical zonation, rate change, palynological richness, DCA PCA ordinations were generated basis data. calibration data set (maps, numerical information population, domestic stock, farmland division, etc.) archival material preserved Estonian Historical Archives. Results  topmost part (0–180 cm) sediment column Tougjarv, covering 1000 years, visibly gyttja. varve extends from ad 2000 1339, cumulative ± 9-year error estimate. Beyond this extrapolated using date age–depth estimations. simulation RSAP shows that major portion loading originating local derived plants growing within 2000 m site. record divides into five statistically significant subgroups, which fall plot three clusters reflecting general openness–closedness landscape. During period between 1000 1200 (RT 1) wooded birch, spruce pine forests. advancement extensive farming gradually opened up landscape 1650 2 RT 3). maximum openness reached 1875 4), most open late eighteenth century. 1684 1870–99 available quantitative etc. show same trend. 125 years, 1935 1995, reduction arable land under investigation an extent comparable end seventeenth century. Main conclusions  formation cultural at over characterized rapid changes floristic richness rates attributed certain historic processes RSAP. Five phases social are clearly distinguished 1000 years. response human-induced forcing agrees documents could be used for past prior solid