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[Questions] North African dry woodlands constitute mediterranean climatic ecotone ecosystems of vital importance for human livelihoods and local biodiversity. To improve the basis for managing these key ecosystems, we selected a Tertiary relict woodland (Argania spinosa) in order to clarify the sensitivity to long‐term climate change (the present, the past glacial‐interglacial cycle and under future scenarios). We also discuss the impact of long‐term human land use for the distribution of dry woodlands in North Africa. ; [Methods] To assess whether the argan woodland is in equilibrium with current climate, we used species distribution modelling (SDM) to estimate its potential range. Then, SDM was used to estimate its potential distribution during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 21,000 BP) and the Middle Holocene (Mid‐Holocene; 6,000 BP). Model predictions for past scenarios were compared with Quaternary palaeorecords to evaluate their accuracy. Finally, we forecasted changes in the potential range to year 2080 to assess its likely future range dynamics. ; [Results] At the LGM, suitable areas occurred at more southern latitudes, where the Sahara Desert currently lies, while suitable areas in the Mid‐Holocene shifted northwards, occupying areas similar to those of today. The estimated past distributions are consistent with palaeorecords, providing evidence for the important role of Quaternary climate changes in driving dry woodland range dynamics. The current range‐filling constitutes 44% of the potential distribution, probably primarily reflecting anthropic land‐use effects. Future climate change is forecast not to cause latitudinal/altitudinal range shifts, but rather an overall range contraction. ; [Conclusions] The models reflect the high sensitivity of the dry woodland ecosystem to past climate changes, in agreement with palaeorecords. The estimated climatic sensitivity also predicts severe range contraction during future climate change. Consequently, management strategies for dry woodlands should be developed to facilitate their in situ survival, particularly by reducing the currently intensive human pressure. ; We are indebted to the Spanish Consolider Program (CSD2007-00058), Excellence Research Projects' Program from Andalusian government (RNM-7033), Research Projects Plan from UGR (PP2012-PI02) as well as HAR2008-06477-C03-03/HIST and CGL2011-30512-C02-01 projects (Plan Nacional I + D + i) for financial and technical support. We also thank Universidad de Granada (Spain) by supporting Diego Nieto-Lugilde postdoc position at the Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Group, Aarhus University. JCS was supported by the European Research Council (ERC-2012-StG-310886-HISTFUNC) and the Danish Council for Independent Research | Natural Sciences (12-125079) ; Peer reviewed

Peer reviewed ; The paucity of modern pollen-rain data from the Iberian Peninsula is a significant barrier to understanding the Late Quaternary vegetation history of this globally important southwestern mediterranean region. The relationships between current vegetation, the available environmental data and modern pollen are examined in Central Spain for both natural and human-induced vegetation types, as an aid for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. A set of 60 surface moss polsters was sampled from different vegetation and land-use types in the Madrid autonomous region, and analysed to obtain modern pollen analogues of ancient cultural landscapes. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to divide the main pollen taxa into two major groups and ten subgroups representing the anthropic and natural vegetation types and the main communities within them. Statistically distinctive taxa were identified using principal components analysis (PCA). The results indicate that human-influenced communities have pollen assemblages that are different from those of natural vegetation types. When modern pollen assemblages are compared, the three Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) communities of Madrid, representing two phytogeographical provinces and three subprovinces, are easily distinguishable by their pollen spectra. This research was funded by the Technology Research 'Consolider' Program (TCP-CSD2007 – 00058), by the R&D National Plan of the Spanish Government (HAR2008 – 06477-C03 – 03/HIST project), and by the CSICCAM Consolidation project (CCG07-CSIC/HUM-1924). ; 16 páginas, 5 figuras, 1 tabla.

16 páginas, 5 figuras, 1 tabla. ; The paucity of modern pollen-rain data from the Iberian Peninsula is a significant barrier to understanding the Late Quaternary vegetation history of this globally important southwestern mediterranean region. The relationships between current vegetation, the available environmental data and modern pollen are examined in Central Spain for both natural and human-induced vegetation types, as an aid for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. A set of 60 surface moss polsters was sampled from different vegetation and land-use types in the Madrid autonomous region, and analysed to obtain modern pollen analogues of ancient cultural landscapes. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to divide the main pollen taxa into two major groups and ten subgroups representing the anthropic and natural vegetation types and the main communities within them. Statistically distinctive taxa were identified using principal components analysis (PCA). The results indicate that human-influenced communities have pollen assemblages that are different from those of natural vegetation types. When modern pollen assemblages are compared, the three Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) communities of Madrid, representing two phytogeographical provinces and three subprovinces, are easily distinguishable by their pollen spectra. ; This research was funded by the Technology Research 'Consolider' Program (TCP-CSD2007 – 00058), by the R&D National Plan of the Spanish Government (HAR2008 – 06477-C03 – 03/HIST project), and by the CSICCAM Consolidation project (CCG07-CSIC/HUM-1924). ; Peer reviewed

[EN] This paper is based on the data from archaeological surveysat La Genestosa (Casillas de Flores, Salamanca) in 2012 and 2013. The study of the uncovered material (pottery, glasses,numerical slates), the interpretation of building techniques and pollen analysis provided information about the dynamics of rural landscape in Central Iberia. The initiative of peasant groups, with internal social differences, was the cause of an internalcolonization for farming of some spaces of flexible use, which involved the creation of new settlements. The coincidence withthe early medieval cold episode (450-950 AD) implied that some wetlands became critical for livestock purposes. As a result, settlement patterns would be determined by the closeness of those areas. ; [ES] Este artículo presenta los datos de las intervenciones arqueológicas realizadas en La Genestosa (Casillas de Flores, Salamanca) en los años 2012 y 2013. Gracias al estudio de losmateriales recuperados (cerámicas, vidrios, pizarras numerales), del estudio de las viviendas y de los análisis polínicos, se puede comprender la dinámica del paisaje rural en este sector del centro de la península ibérica. Se detecta la colonizaciónde espacios de uso flexible con fines ganaderos, que serían la consecuencia de una iniciativa por grupos campesinos condiferencias internas, quienes crearon nuevos asentamientos. La coincidencia con el episodio frío altomedieval (450-950 d. C.) conllevó que determinados espacios húmedos se convirtiesen en áreas críticas, condicionando los patrones de asentamiento. Este trabajo ha sido financiado por los Proyectos de Investigación CRATAEM Colapso y regeneración en la Antigüedad Tardía y la Alta Edad Media: el caso del Noroeste peninsular (HAR2013-47889-C3-1-P) y DESIRÈ Dinámicas socio-ecológicas, resiliencia y vulnerabilidad en un paisaje de montaña: el Sistema Central (9000 cal. BC-1850 cal. AD) (HAR2013-43701-P) del Plan Nacional de I+D+i del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad

This work presents the palinological analysis undertaken at Castro Ventosa's Roman deposit (El Bierzo, León). Reading the pollen diagram makes it possible to perceive the different stages of occupation of the site in Roman times and possibly also medieval. The change in the paleo-economic bases related to the cultivation of cereals and chestnut trees between the two periods and the impact of pastoral pressure are discussed. This work has been carried out within the framework of the Joint Research Programme in Technologies for the valuation and conservation of cultural heritage — TCP-CSD2007-00058, and has also been funded by the CSIC Intramural Border Project 'Cultural and natural landscapes of the Bierzo: Geoarqueology, Paleoambio and Paleobiology (BierzoRVN)' (PIF 06-055) and under the cooperation agreement between the Government of Castile-Leon and the CSIC on ancient mining areas of Castile-Leon (CyLIA-24.044.0006.07). ; Peer reviewed ; This work presents the palinological analysis undertaken at Castro Ventosa's Roman deposit (El Bierzo, León). Reading the pollen diagram makes it possible to perceive the different stages of occupation of the site in Roman times and possibly also medieval. The change in the paleo-economic bases related to the cultivation of cereals and chestnut trees between the two periods and the impact of pastoral pressure are discussed. This work has been carried out within the framework of the Joint Research Programme in Technologies for the valuation and conservation of cultural heritage — TCP-CSD2007-00058, and has also been funded by the CSIC Intramural Border Project 'Cultural and natural landscapes of the Bierzo: Geoarqueology, Paleoambio and Paleobiology (BierzoRVN)' (PIF 06-055) and under the cooperation agreement between the Government of Castile-Leon and the CSIC on ancient mining areas of Castile-Leon (CyLIA-24.044.0006.07). ; Este trabajo presenta el análisis palinológico emprendido en el yacimiento romano de Castro Ventosa (El Bierzo, León). La lectura del diagrama polínico ...

Morphometric analysis offers an alternative or augmentation to traditional archaeobotanical methods to address differences within and between plant species and their remains, refining and enhancing taxonomic resolution. Morphometrics, the measurement of size and shape, and the multivariate statistical analysis of generated quantitative variables, have long played a major role in biological research, including plant taxonomy and systematics, although its application in archaeobotany is relatively recent. Over the last few decades, there has been an increasing interest in the use of morphometrics for analysing a varied range of archaeological plant materials (mainly seeds, pollen, phytoliths, and starch grains). In particular, morphometrics have contributed to the study of the domestication and spread of many cereals world-wide, as well as that of other taxa including legumes, underground storage organs (USO), and fruits (such as olives, grapes, and dates). This paper reviews current methodologies, recent applications, and advances in the use of morphometrics in archaeobotanical research, discusses its role in exploring major research questions, and suggests possible future directions for its use. ; MP work was carried out within the framework of the EU Horizon 2020 MICROARCHEODUNG project. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. H2020-MSCA-IF-2015-702529. MW is funded by an anonymous donation to the University of Sheffield matched by the Alumni Office – DARE. CM research is funded by European Research Council advanced grants (ComPAg no. 323842). SPD and MRA were funded by the 'Programa Estatal de Promoción del Talento y su Empleabilidad en I + D+i Juan de la Cierva'. ; Peer reviewed

A high resolution core (9.7 yr cm 1 ) from the Chao de Veiga Mol raised bog (NW Iberian Peninsula) was analyzed to identify plant macrofossils, estimate peat humification and calculate hydroclimatic indices based on current bog species, with the overall aim of determining the climate conditions associated with evolution of the bog during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age. These proxies, together with historical and climate data, proved to be good indicators of the changes in bog surface wetness ; Analysis: of the core led to identification of 9 different periods: two corresponding to the so-called Medieval Climate Anomaly (930 to 1345 AD, 1075–665 calibrated years before present [cal. yr BP]); four corresponding to the Little Ice Age (1345 to 1905 AD; 665–105 cal yr BP); and three corresponding to the last century (1905 to 2000 AD). The findings revealed a generally dry climate that lasted until the 14th century, followed by a transition to a long period with a more humid, but characteristically very variable climate, which ended at the beginning of the 20th century and was followed by a rapid transition to more humid conditions and finally, a change to drier conditions. ; The Medieval Climate Anomaly was indicated by the abundance of dry-adapted mosses (Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum cupressiforme) and characterized by warm dry conditions and high levels of peat humification, with alternating wet phases. The LIA period was dated by a large abundance of Sphagnum species (an indicator of wetness) and a gradual increase in the humification index. However, four different climate phases were differentiated in this period. ; High-resolution reconstruction of the evolution of the CVM bog and the multiproxy approach have together enabled a more detailed identification of climatic variations in this area, which are generally consistent with the global models, as well as better definition of the elusive climatic oscillations in the last millennium and confirmation of the importance of local modulation of global models. The study provides new information and a detailed chronology of climatic events that will help to refine local modulation of the climate evolution model in the still quite unexplored region of the NW Iberian Peninsula, a key area for understanding the paleoclimatic dynamics in SW Europe. ; This research was funded with the support of the Xunta de Galicia government (Spain) through projects INCITE09-200-019-PR and Consolidación e Estructuración 2018 GRC GI-1243-GEMAP, ED431C 2018/32 ; Peer reviewed

Peer Reviewed ; This research aims to shed light on the early stages of agricultural development in Northern Africa through the analysis of the rich macro-botanical assemblages obtained from Ifri Oudadane, an Epipalaeolithic-Early Neolithic site from North-East Morocco. Results indicate the presence of domesticated plants, cereals (Hordeum vulgare, Triticum monococcum/. dicoccum, Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum/. durum) and pulses (Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum) in the Early Neolithic. One lentil has been dated to 7611 ± 37 cal BP representing the oldest direct date of a domesticated plant seed in Morocco and, by extension, in North Africa. Similarities in both radiocarbon dates and crop assemblages from Early Neolithic sites in Northern Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula suggest a simultaneous East to West maritime spread of agriculture along the shores of the Western Mediterranean. Wild plants were abundantly collected in both the Epipalaeolithic and the Early Neolithic periods pointing to the important role of these resources during the two periods. In addition to fruits and seeds that could have been consumed by both humans and domesticated animals, fragments of esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima) rhizomes have been identified. This is a western Mediterranean native plant that may have been used as a source of fibres for basketry. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013)/ERC Grant Agreement n° 230561. In addition, the research has also benefited from the project I-COOP0011 funded by the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) and from projects TPC-CSD2OO7-00058 and CGL2011-30512-C02-01 and HAR2008-09120/HIST funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain. Fieldwork was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the frame of the CRC 806 "Our way to Europe".

This research aims to shed light on the early stages of agricultural development in Northern Africa through the analysis of the rich macro-botanical assemblages obtained from Ifri Oudadane, an Epipalaeolithic-Early Neolithic site from North-East Morocco. Results indicate the presence of domesticated plants, cereals (Hordeum vulgare, Triticum monococcum/. dicoccum, Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum/. durum) and pulses (Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum) in the Early Neolithic. One lentil has been dated to 7611 ± 37 cal BP representing the oldest direct date of a domesticated plant seed in Morocco and, by extension, in North Africa. Similarities in both radiocarbon dates and crop assemblages from Early Neolithic sites in Northern Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula suggest a simultaneous East to West maritime spread of agriculture along the shores of the Western Mediterranean. Wild plants were abundantly collected in both the Epipalaeolithic and the Early Neolithic periods pointing to the important role of these resources during the two periods. In addition to fruits and seeds that could have been consumed by both humans and domesticated animals, fragments of esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima) rhizomes have been identified. This is a western Mediterranean native plant that may have been used as a source of fibres for basketry. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. ; The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013)/ERC Grant Agreement n° 230561. In addition, the research has also benefited from the project I-COOP0011 funded by the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) and from projects TPC-CSD2OO7-00058 and CGL2011-30512-C02-01 and HAR2008-09120/HIST funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain. Fieldwork was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the frame of the CRC 806 "Our way to Europe". ; Peer Reviewed

18 páginas, 1 tabla, 3 figuras ; This paper reviews multi-proxy paleoclimatic reconstructions with robust age-control derived from lacustrine, dendrochronological and geomorphological records and characterizes the main environmental changes that occurred in the Southern Pyrenees during the last millennium. Warmer and relatively arid conditions prevailed during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA, ca. 900–1300 AD), with a significant development of xerophytes and Mediterranean vegetation and limited deciduous tree formations (mesophytes). The Little Ice Age (LIA, 1300–1800 AD) was generally colder and moister, with an expansion of deciduous taxa and cold-adapted montane conifers. Two major phases occurred within this period: (i) a transition MCA–LIA, characterized by fluctuating, moist conditions and relatively cold temperatures (ca. 1300 and 1600 AD); and (ii) a second period, characterized by the coldest and most humid conditions, coinciding with maximum (recent) glacier advances (ca. 1600–1800 AD). Glaciers retreated after the LIA when warmer and more arid conditions dominated, interrupted by a short-living cooling episode during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Some records suggest a response to solar activity with colder and slightly moister conditions during solar minima. Centennial-scale hydrological fluctuations are in phase with reconstructions of NAO variability, which appears to be one of the main climate mechanisms influencing rainfall variations in the region during the last millennium. ; This research has been funded by the Spanish InterMinistry of Science and Technology (CICYT), through the projects LIMNOCAL (CGL2006-13327-C04-01), GLOBALKARST (REN2003-09130-C02-02), GRACCIECONSOLIDER (CSD2007-00067), DINAMO (CGL2009-645- 07992) and CRYOMONT (CGL2010-19724). Additional support was provided by the Spanish National Parks Agency through the project HORDA (083/2009). M. Morell´on is supported by a Postdoctoral fellowship funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science through FECYT (Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology), A. P´erez-Sanz is supported by a pre-doctoral fellowship funded by the Regional Aragonese Government and A. Moreno acknowledges the "Ram´on y Cajal" postdoctoral program for funding. Miguel Sevilla is acknowledged for his help with Fig. 1. We thank Gerardo Benito, William Fletcher, Lourdes L´opez-Merino and anonymous referee for their helpful comments and their criticism, which led to a considerable improvement of the manuscript. ; Peer reviewed

Funding: This study was supported by Spanish government: State R&D Program Oriented to the Challenges of the Society, Project references RTI2018-101714-B-I00 and CS02017-83576-P; FEDER/ Andalusian Government - Ministry of Economy and Knowledge / Project reference B-RNM-404-UGR18; and Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, PAIDI 2020, Project reference P18-RT-4963 ; Human impact on western Mediterranean mountains is gaining more attention, as they harbour a rich plant diversity threatened by global change. This paper presents an analysis of two pollen records from both sides of Sierra Nevada, the prime plant-diversity centre of the Mediterranean, spanning the last 5400 years. The analysis sought to answer the following key questions: When did natural systems transform to cultural landscapes? What was the intensity and extent of alterations driven by the diverse civilizations? A compilation of archaeological and paleaeoclimatic data supported this analysis, as well as a multi-proxy palaeoecological study using pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and microcharcoal, searching for the imprint that diverse societies left on these mountains. Results suggest that human influences started earlier than expected, with a strong impact on forest cover, oriented more towards crops on the southern face and towards livestock on the northern one, whereas mining and metallurgy were initial key drivers of population dynamics. Irrigation has supported farming since at least the Islamic period. More recent anthropogenic control and land-use management have allowed a further spread of the tree cover. Proper conservation strategies need long-term perspectives, including palaeoecological studies. The preservation of traditional human activities like grazing, high-elevation cropping or irrigation systems become essential to maintain current biodiversity. ; DEpartamento de Botánica. Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de Granada

The authors thank all researchers who have devoted effort to studying the Iberian peatlands. We are grateful to Christine Francis, native translator, for reviewing and correcting linguistic aspects of this manuscript. Our research has been made possible by the following project grants: INCITE09-200-019-PR (Xunta de Galicia Government); DESIRÈHAR2013-43701-P (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness); and Relictflora-P11-RNM7033 (Excellence Research Projects Program from the Andalusian Government).

[EN] Salt exploitation in the Villafáfila lagoon complex (Tierra de Campos, Zamora) is one of the most important events since Prehistory in the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula. Salt production is documented from the Bell Beaker (ca. 2450 cal BC). In 2013, a core drilling was performed in the salty swamp of the Laguna de las Salinas. The analysis of pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs of this record suggests the origin of the lagoon eight thousand years ago linked to the 8,2 ky cal BP climatic event, a very anthropized environment from the beginning of the Chalcolithic period ca. 3300 cal BC and the subsequent exploitation of salt, the gradual and definitive degradation of the holm oak forest from the Bronze Age onwards, and, in general, a wide climatic variability, with alternate humid and arid phases throughout the palaeoenvironmental sequence ; [ES] La explotación de la sal en el complejo lagunar de Villafáfila (Tierra de Campos, Zamora) es uno de los eventos más importantes de la meseta norte de la península ibérica desde la Prehistoria. La producción de sal se documenta a partir del periodo Campaniforme (ca. 2450 cal BC). En 2013, se efectuó un sondeo mecánico en los pastizales húmedos anexos a la Laguna de las Salinas. El análisis de polen y microfósiles no polínicos de este registro sugiere el origen de la laguna hace al menos ocho mil años vinculado al evento climático 8,2 ka cal BP, un ambiente muy antropizado desde los inicios del Calcolítico ca. 3300 cal BC y la posterior explotación de la sal, la degradación paulatina y definitiva del bosque de encinas a partir de la Edad del Bronce, y, en general, una amplia variabilidad climática alternando fases húmedas y áridas a lo largo de toda la secuencia paleoambiental. Los autores agradecen al organismo gestor de la Reserva Natural Lagunas de Villafáfila, dependiente de la Fundación Patrimonio Natural de la Junta de Castilla y León, las facilidades ofrecidas para el desarrollo de este trabajo. Éste ha sido financiado por una ayuda de investigación ...

Few studies have dealt with the occupation of caves during the Andalusi period in Southern Iberia. This may be explained by the attention placed traditionally on the trinomial mudun (cities), ḥusūn (fortresses) and qurà (farmsteads), in which other forms of rural occupation have been generally overlooked. In this paper we explore the sequence at La Dehesilla Cave based on the analysis of animal skeleton remains, pollen, seeds and fruits, and phytoliths with the aim to define the economic systems of its Andalusi inhabitants. Because the sequence displays two different occupation phases, the first during the Taifa Period in the second half of the 11th century and the second during the Almohad Period in the second half of the 12th century, this study characterises the ecological and economic systems of the two periods and highlights the differences between them. The data suggest that the economy of both periods was mainly based on livestock, and especially on sheep herds. However, their comparison enables us to observe a few significant differences that indicate dissimilar behavioural and economic patterns. Plant macro-remains show a larger amount of cereals and leguminous seeds, as well as of domestic fruits, in the Taifa Period than in the Almohad Period. The zoological record displays clear differences between the two periods. The Taifa Period shows a greater proportion of herds while the input from hunting increased in the Almohad Period. Also, there are proportionally opposite patterns in the age of sacrifice of sheep. The earlier period may have seen a more sedentary herding and partly farming population, while the second period may correspond to a mainly herding, perhaps mobile, population. These results are discussed within the political dynamics of the historical framework of the surrounding territory and contribute to the knowledge of the rural economic dynamics of the Andalusi period.

Persistence of relict tree species in Mediterranean environments is becoming increasingly unlikely in view of ongoing and future global change. The variability in the Holocene climate and more recent anthropogenic impacts have driven many populations to fragmentation and isolation, and even to extinction. However, some have persisted to the present day. The understanding of their evolution requires long-term studies, in which pollen analysis is a key approach both for formulating hypotheses and supporting results from other disciplines. Mountain ranges have played and still play an essential role as both glacial and interglacial refugia during the Quaternary. The Spanish Central System harbors an exceptional diversity due to its geographical location and complex topography. Some cold-adapted species have survived here with significant proportions of their southernmost populations, often displaying striking adaptations to their changing environments. This work contains a comprehensive review of the palynological investigations conducted in the Spanish Central System, and reveals the distribution of genera such as Taxus, Betula, Fagus, Carpinus and Tilia throughout the Holocene. We also highlight the scarcity of well-dated and high-resolution works, which may contribute to a better understanding of their recent and future evolution. ; This paper is part of the research carried our within the project "Dinámicas socio-ecológicas, resiliencia y vulnerabilidad en un paisaje de montaña: el Sistema Central (9000 cal. BC-1850 cal. AD) " (R&D National Plan of the Spanish Government, HAR2013-43701-P).