Holocene climatic and environmental change from pollen records of lakes Zempoala and Quila, central Mexican highlands

The pollen record from Quila documents four different types of forest: Pinus/Alnus forest (possibly Alnus jorullensis in zone QUI-I), Pinus forest (most likely Pinus hartwegii forest in zone QUI-II), mixed forest in zone QUI-III), and Abies forest (Abies religiosa forest in zone QUI-IV). The last c. 1000 years show a decline of mixed forest and increasing Abies forest, reflecting cooler and more humid conditions. Quila also shows, during the most recent past, human impact by crop cultivation (Zea mays) and vegetation disturbance (Plantago) leading to erosion. Other microfossils, among which coprophilous fungi, were recorded and illustrated.