Pleniglacial dynamics in an oceanic central European loess landscape

Abstract

Abstract. Loess–palaeosol sequences (LPSs) of the oceanic-influenced European loess belt underwent frequent post-depositional processes induced by surface runoff or periglacial processes. The interpretation of such atypical LPSs is not straightforward, and they cannot be easily used for regional to continental correlations. Within the last few years, however, such sequences gained increased attention, as they are valuable archives for regional landscape dynamics. In this study, the Siersdorf LPS was analysed using a multi-proxy approach using sedimentological, geochemical, and spectrophotometric methods combined with luminescence dating and tentative malacological tests to unravel Pleniglacial dynamics of the Lower Rhine Embayment. A marshy wetland environment for the late Middle Pleniglacial to the early Upper Pleniglacial was shown by colour reflectance and grain size distribution. Age inversions from luminescence dating paired with geochemical and sedimentological data reveal long-lasting erosional processes during the early Upper Pleniglacial, which were constrained to a relatively small catchment with short transport ranges. The upper sequence shows typical marker horizons for the study area and indicate harsh, cold-arid conditions for the late Upper Pleniglacial. In comparison with other terrestrial archives, the Siersdorf LPS shows that the Lower Rhine Embayment was more diverse than previously assumed, regarding not only its geomorphological settings and related processes but also its ecosystems and environments.

Solving Stone Age puzzles: From artefacts and sites towards archaeological interpretations

“…In some areas, the climate conditions allowed the evolution of birch-pine taiga and limited expansion of some more demanding deciduous woods. In the dry loess territory of Central Europe, the steppe character of the landscape with specific grass communities and a mosaic of thin boreal forests continued in the Middle Pleniglacial period (Broecker et al 1985;Frenzel 1987;Haesaerts, Teyssandier 2003;Ložek 2011;Moravcová et al 2011;Feurdean et al 2014;Nigst 2014;Hošek et al 2017;Andrews, Voelker 2018;Pötter et al 2023). More demanding woods (spruce, ash-elm riparian forests, etc.)…”