Elevation-induced variations of pollen assemblages in the North-western Alps: an analysis of their value as temperature indicators

Seventy-seven modern pollen samples from various elevations (350–2680 m a.s.l.) in two different areas of the north-western Alps (the Aosta Valley, Italy and the Taillefer Massif, France) were statistically analyzed to derive correlations between pollen assemblages, elevation and temperature at the sampled points. Numerical classifications were performed on pollen data to judge similarities between the two areas. The results show that a strong relationship exists between altitude and variations in pollen taxa percentages despite some floristic differences between the two areas. As a test, transfer functions from pollen percentages to elevation and temperature were calculated from pollen data. The reconstruction appears to be reliable, with a higher reliability at sites located over 1000m. This analysis aims to serve as a basis for further quantitative reconstruction of temperature changes during the Holocene based on fossil pollen data from sensitive regions that encompass a significant altitudinal gradient.