In the world, as well as in Croatia, there is a great interest in paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate reconstruction through the study of past vegetation. If enough sporomorphs (spores, pollen) are present in the sediments, we can easily reconstruct climate and environments. However, in the absence of sporomorphs, the analysis of the remaining organic-walled microscopic remains i.e. palynofacies and non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP) can give also important clues for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Palynofacies represents the total organic residue of sediments, while non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP) are microfossils of diverse origin (plants/animals/algae/funghi) found in palynological slides in the size of pollen grains (10–250 µm). Their association can indicate environmental conditions at the time of deposition and can be used as indicator of anthropogenic influence. They are found in all types of sediments, from marine to terrestrial including cave sediments and archeological artefacts. The project will focus on the identification and interpretation of NPPs and palynofacies patterns from sedimentary successions and archeological material where the abundance of vascular plant remains was insufficient. The applicability of NPPs and palynofacies in paleoenvironmental reconstruction will be tested on two case studies including the Vela spila cave above Vela Luka (Korčula) and the Vučedol archeological site. We will integrate palynological, mineralogical, petrological, geochemical and sedimentological analysis in order to provide a complex understanding of environmental processes. Special attention will be paid to taphonomic processes and the origin of recent contamination that can alter palynofacies patterns and lead to erroneous conclusions in environmental reconstruction. The project outcomes can contribute to both natural and human sciences (archeology) and improve our knowledge of past environmental changes and human-nature interactions.

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/non-poll

Non-POll – Novosti i obavijesti