Palaeoclimatic changes in the Holsteinian Interglacial (Middle Pleistocene) on the basis of indicator-species method – Palynological and macrofossils remains from Nowiny Żukowskie site (SE Poland)

Analysis of pollen and macroremains from the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial in the Nowiny Żukowskie succession enabled the identification of numerous climatic indicators. The applied indicator-species method allowed for a detailed description of climatic changes, i.e. warmings and coolings that occurred in this interglacial. The determined ranges of temperatures that prevailed in particular periods provide a basis for an assumption that it was probably the warmest interglacial of the Pleistocene. The estimated temperature of the warmest month during the climatic optimum (Abies–Carpinus period) may have been 2–4 C° higher than in the warmest period of the Holocene. Moreover, numerous changes in humidity, evidenced by frequent oscillations from oceanic to continental climate, are particularly important. The cool periods are generally marked by the presence of Betula nana, Selaginella selaginoides and S. helvetica, heliophytes such as Helianthemum nummularium, and shrubs of Ephedra and Hippophaë rhamnoides. The warmest period is documented by the occurrence of thermophylous trees, e.g. Pterocarya fraxinifolia, Juglans, shrubs, e.g. Buxus sempervirens and Vitis sylvestris, as well as Hedera helix, Viscum, and aquatic plants, e.g. Brasenia borysthenica.