Human impact and ecological changes in lakeshore environments. The contribution of non-pollen palynomorphs in Lake Banyoles (NE Iberia)

Deforestation induced by Early Neolithic communities caused the proliferation of lignicolous fungi in decaying wood and an increase in soil erosion. The input of allochthonous mud led to higher turbidity in the lake water, causing a succession in aquatic organisms, from cyanobacteria to green algae. In that context, a group of erosion-associated fungal spore types were recorded. Indicators of soil disturbance and coprophilous fungi were recorded from 5000 to 4200 cal BP, linked with local habitation during the Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic. The NPP analysis reflects the significant human impact that caused changing local environmental conditions, consistent with the signals based on pollen analysis.