First data about the Holocene composition of mountain forests in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (Ronda Mountains, Spain) through pedoanthracological analysis
In this work, the first data on the Holocene composition of mountain forests in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (Malaga, Spain) are presented. The information collected is obtained from the application of the pedoanthracological method in 10 enclaves of the protected natural area. The search and identification of the recovered fragments of charcoal and their subsequent radiocarbon dating have allowed a first paleoecological approach to this territory: the discovery of different paleopopulations of conifers; the verification of the antiqueness of certain forests and their consideration as paleoendemic formations; and the initial knowledge of the forest dynamics in relation to climatic cycles and anthropic alterations. The implementation of the results in the conservationist and adaptive management of the most threatened forests and their habitats, in the face of climate change, should be a priority within the protection framework of these natural areas of great ecological value.