PLEISTOCENE FOREST HISTORY IN EAST ANGLIA

Summary The East Anglian Pleistocene succession records eight temperate stages with forest and also interstadials with forest in two of the intervening cold stages. The forest histories of these temperate stages and interstadials are described. The records through the Pleistocene of the tree genera involved are considered. The forest assemblages in each of four substages of the temperate stages (pre-temperate, early-temperate, late-temperate, post-temperate) are compared. The development of heath in the temperate stages is also examined. Floristic and phytogeographic changes indicated by the palaeobotanical evidence give information on Tertiary-relic genera and on extinctions, and have a bearing on the problem of the history of cold stage refugia. The success or failure of particular genera in response to the stress of climatic change is discussed. Finally, comparisons are made with Pleistocene forest history in north-west Europe.