A 1100-years paleovegetation and paleoclimate record from western Türkiye linked to the North Atlantic Oscillation variability

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) plays a significant role on atmospheric circulation variability in the North Atlantic region, modulating the strength and the direction of the westerly winds belt and storm tracks, affecting the precipitation patterns in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Studies indicate significant variations in the mode of the NAO over the last millennium, largely driven by changes in solar forcing. Here, we present a palynological record from Lake Marmara, western Türkiye and a quantitative reconstruction of paleoclimate variables based on the variations of pollen taxa over the last 1100 years. The palynological records and paleoclimate reconstruction from Lake Marmara indicate that the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) was marked by low arboreal pollen (AP), high seasonality, and drier conditions, whereas the Little Ice Age (LIA) between ∼ 300–100 cal. yr BP was characterized by high AP, low seasonality, and wetter conditions. The results demonstrate a stronger alignment with the NAO variability over the past millennium compared to the other proxy records in Türkiye.