Quantitative Holocene palaeolandscape reconstructions in the Beloslav Lake area using pollen data, modelling and simulation approach

Abstract

Pollen records from lacustrine core Bel-1 obtained from the Beloslav Lake (Northeastern Bulgaria) were used to reconstruct the past vegetation and to simulate past landscapes. Numerous 50 km by 30 km landscape simulations were performed at different time windows in the past. Eleven of them were chosen as significant for vegetation dynamics, human impact, and landscape evolution. Comparison of actual and simulated modern vegetation composition showed similar results, which proved the reliability of models. Quantitative reconstructions in the region of the Beloslav Lake showed a clear trend of decreasing forest landscapes at the expense of agrarian ones. Simulated landscapes based on quantitative reconstruction of vegetation coverage reflected a more significant anthropogenic impact and openness than those shown by pollen percentages.