Late Holocene vegetation of Darjeeling (Jore-Pokhari) eastern Himalaya

Abstract

Pollen analysis of Late Holocene lacustrine sediments from Jore-Pokhari, a temperate lake of eastern Himalaya, has revealed that around 2500 yr B.P. mixed broad-leaved Oak forests existed, reflecting to a warm-temperate and humid climate in the region. Between 1600- and 1000-year B.P. a short-term cool-oscillation is witnessed as evidenced by decline in broad-leaved tree taxa and a simultaneous increase in the conifers. The anthropogenic activities have also been noticed during this period as evidenced by the increase in grasses together with culture pollen such as Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Artemisia and Asteraceae as well as appearance of Cerealia type pollen. Between 1000- and 300-year B.P. the improvement in the broad-leaved taxa, viz., Quercus, Betula and Alnus and reappearance of Rhododenrdron as well as simultaneous decline in Pinus indicate the amelioration of climate which became warm-temperate the humid once again.