Conifer Forest Dynamics in the Iberian Pyrenees during the Middle Ages
Valentı́ Rull|Teresa Vegas-Vilarrúbia
This study compares the Medieval (ca. 400–1500 CE; Common Era) dynamics of forests from low-mountain (Montcortès; ca. 1000 m a.s.l.) and high-mountain (Sant Maurici; 1900 areas Iberian Pyrenees, both which experienced similar climatic forcing but different anthropogenic pressures. The main aim is to identify forest changes over time associate them with corresponding drivers (or synergies among them) test how at elevations respond external forcings. can be useful evaluate hypothesis general Pyrenean deforestation during Middle Ages leading present-day landscapes improve background for conservation. uses palynological analysis lake sediments, historical documents paleoecological reconstructions based on pollen-independent proxies. two sites studied showed trajectories. Montcortès area was subjected intense human pressure regional up a maximum CE. Further recovery took place until end due change in management, including abandonment slash-and-burn practices. Climatic shifts indirectly influenced trends by regulating migrations resulting type intensity exploitation. highland Sant Maurici exhibited remarkably long-standing constancy an exceptional resilience shifts, were unable affect extension composition, local pressure, they rapidly recovered. records did not follow rule irreversible clearing landscapes. present landscape shaped after recovery, new Modern-Age further last centuries. remained apparently untouched since Bronze Age never cleared Ages. relevance these findings conservation briefly addressed, need development more high-resolution studies highlighted.
Forests|DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)|DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC))