Does the multi-proxy Eemian record from the Słup site (central Poland) indicate a more humid climate at the beginning of the hornbeam phase?

Abstract

A new site of Eemian organogenic deposits in S3up (central Poland) has revealed an intermittent record of several phases within this interglacial. Pollen based studies of the core S3-19, drilled at the littoral zone of the palaeolake, indicated the absence of the E2, E3, E6 and an incomplete record of the E4 and E5 zones of the typical pollen succession. Results of other proxies (plant macrofossils, Cladocera, molluscs, NPPs, isotopes) supported the conclusions derived from the pollen diagram regarding the high humidity and lake water level during the E4 (Corylus-Quercus-Tilia) phase and at the beginning of the E5 (Carpinus-Corylus-Alnus) phase, when the fossil lake was most extensive. Thus, the lack of a record of the E3 and E4 RPAZs was associated with water level lowering and a less humid climate. The results stand in agreement with several other Eemian records from central Poland.