Changes in Pleistocene vegetation and climate of Ukraine in the range of 1.8-0.4 million years
On the basis of the analysis of the results of detailed palynological studies of Pleistocene deposits in Ukraine, the correlation between climatic changes and vegetation dynamics was retraced in the range of 1.8-0.43 million years. The curve of paleoclimate changes was constructed and analyzed. It was shown that certain climatic characteristics were inherent for each stage of the nature development, which was reflected in the composition of vegetation. It was found thattemperature and humidity fluctuations also occurred during each stage. The evidence of this is the reconstructed micro-rhythm in the development of vegetation of each stage. The main features of vegetation composition were determined for four warm and five cold stages of nature development, and a pattern of vegetation changes was retraced during each stage. The dynamics of vegetation cover of the Prydonetska Plain, different parts of the Prydniprovska Lowland, the Prydniprovska Upland, the Near Black Sea Lowland, and the Podil’ska Upland vegetation during the specified geological time was reconstructed. General and regional distinctions of the composition of vegetation cover were revealed, and the influence of the main climatic factors such as temperature and humidity on the character of its changes was retraced. The stages characterized by the warmest and wet climatic conditions and the most cold and dry ones were established. It was substantiated that the climatic conditions of the Sula period were less severe than in the subsequent stages of the fall of temperature. The existence of refugiums of thermophilic flora in the Sula period within separate regions of Ukraine was established. The existence of vegetation zonality was substantiated not only in warm stages, but also in cold periods of the Early Neopleistocene.