Modern Pollen Rain and Present-Day Vegetation Along an Altitudinal Transect in the Rarău Massif (Eastern Carpathians, Romania)

Bibliographic Data

ID15801771
AuthorsMihaela Danu (0000-0003-1552-0589, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University), Diana Istrate (Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava), Marcel Mîndrescu (0000-0003-2291-4877, Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava, corresponding author), Florentina Șchiopu (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University), Alina Georgiana Cîșlariu (0000-0002-8782-3784, University of Bucharest), Ciprian Claudiu Mânzu (0000-0002-9288-9649, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University)
Year2026
Volume9
Issue2
Pages28-28
Publication date2026-04-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQuaternary (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2571-550X • E-ISSN: 2571-550X
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/quat9020028
OpenAlexW7148408159
LanguageEN
References cited23

Modern pollen rain studies provide essential calibration for interpreting fossil pollen records, particularly in montane environments. This study explores pollen–vegetation relationships along an altitudinal transect in the Rarău Massif (Eastern Carpathians, Romania). Eight moss cushion samples collected between 1215 and 1619 m a.s.l. were analysed palynologically and compared with eight paired vegetation surveys. Multivariate analyses, including hierarchical clustering, Mantel tests, NMDS, and Procrustes analysis, were applied to evaluate floristic and palynological similarity in relation to altitude. Pollen spectra are dominated by Picea, reflecting the prevalence of spruce forests characteristic of the montane belt, while Abies and Pinus occur in lower proportions, indicating a secondary role. Broad-leaved taxa such as Fagus, Betula, and Alnus complement the arboreal pollen signal, whereas thermophilous taxa Quercus and Tilia represent extra-local pollen input from lower altitudes. Herbaceous and shrub taxa are generally underrepresented in the pollen record relative to field observations. Pollen taxa associated with anthropogenic disturbance (Plantago, Rumex, Artemisia and Urtica) show a constant presence, which may suggest localized human influence likely linked to grazing and tourism. Statistical results show weak and non-significant correlations between pollen composition, vegetation structure, and altitude. Overall, modern pollen rain reflects the dominant vegetation structure of the studied montane belt but shows limited fidelity at the local floristic scale

Arboreal locomotion · Massif · Palynology · Pollen · Shrub · Taxon · Transect · Vegetation (pathology · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Tree-ring climate responses

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