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Abstract: The long‐term responses of vegetation to climate variability are of relevance for predicting present and future vegetation change, and have implications for the management of savanna and riparian ecosystems. This paper explores the links between regional rainfall, hydrology and vegetation dynamics in the savannas and riverine forests of the lower Limpopo Valley, southern Africa, from 800AD to the present, reviewing palaeoecological data (fossil pollen, spores, diatoms and lithology) from several hydrological systems in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa and Limpopo National Park (PNL), Mozambique. The PNL–KNP records show that riverine arboreal taxa expanded during wetter periods, including 800–1400AD and after 1800AD. Between 1400 and 1800AD, grasses, savanna taxa and generalist taxa were favored over riparian taxa, a change that is linked with the onset of dry spells in the region (corresponding to the so-called Little Ice Age). The most extreme drought events around 1700AD resulted in a marked decline of riparian forest taxa near Lake Mapimbi, KNP. In contrast, many water-scarce sequences away from the riverine environment, such as Radio Pan, Mafayeni Pan, Malahlapanga Pan and Lake Makwadzi show stable grassland vegetation throughout the last 1200years. The results demonstrate the resilience of the grassland–savanna ecosystems to projected climate change with warmer and overall drier climate. The riverine forests are predicted to be more vulnerable especially as more extreme weather events are projected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates changes in the vegetation and hydrology at Ljubljansko barje (Slovenia) using a multi-proxy approach (pollen, diatoms, geochemical and stable isotope analysis). During the Lateglacial Ljubljansko barje was a deep, oligotrophic lake surrounded by open woodland comprised predominantly of Pinus and Betula which in the early Holocene, when the lake became shallower and mesotrophic (Fragilaria pinnata, δ 15N~3.3‰, δ 13C~−33.7‰, C/N~7.9), was replaced by broadleaved tree taxa (Tilia, Ulmus, Quercus, Corylus) and Picea. This was followed by the spread of Fagus and after ~9200 cal yr BP Abies and planktonic and oligotrophic diatom taxa (Aulacoseira italica, Gomphonema angustum) as well as an increased allochthonous influx (silt, SiO2, Al2O3). Between ca. 6750 and 6000 cal yr BP the diatom data suggest shallower and oligotrophic conditions, whereas the stable isotope record (increased δ 13C and decreased δ 15N) indicates terrestrial input. Changes in forest composition (increase of Quercus, Alnus, Corylus) and the spread of herb taxa were probably advanced by human impact on the environment. The beginning of organic sedimentation, dated to 6000 cal yr BP, was followed by an increase of Fagus and Abies and by eutrophication and peat growth at ~5200 cal yr BP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]