The dynamics of macrophytes in Lake Vitalievskoye (Valaam Island, Russia) after level changes of Lake Ladoga during the Late Holocene

Abstract

Aquatic vegetation is a sensitive indicator of lake structural rearrangements, water level changes, overgrowth and waterlogging processes. Although macrophyte pollen may not be well preserved in lake sediments, it is a valuable source of information about an evolution of lakes. Continuing our previous researches on the use of macrophyte pollen analysis in paleolimnological studies, we have explored the sediments sequence of Lake Vitalievskoye on the Valaam Island (northern part of Lake Ladoga), that was isolated at the Ladoga regression for the Late Holocene. We have used pollen analysis of the sediments sequence with focus on the dynamics of aquatic vegetation. Based on our results, the macrophyte dynamics at every stage of the Lake Vitalievskoye development and relationship with the Lake Ladoga level changes in the Late Holocene were reconstructed.