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Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS 5) is well represented in palynological studies of North Atlantic marine cores but in only a handful of archeological sequences from the adjacent Iberian landmass. In this paper, we undertake a multi-proxy analysis of small mammal assemblages (insectivores, bats, and rodents) from a 6 m-thick succession, dated to MIS 5a-5b (Layers 7–22), situated in the southeastern edge of the Central Limestone massif of Estremadura at Gruta da Oliveira, near Torres Novas, Portugal. Application of quantitative (Habitat Weighting, Simpson's Diversity Index) and qualitative (Mutual Ecogeographic Range, Bioclimatic Model, Quantified Ecology) methods suggest that open woodland habitats were dominant through the time of accumulation with reconstructed mean annual temperatures (MAT) tracking the 18O curve from the NorthGRIP ice core, from the end of MIS 5c to the beginning of MIS 4. Our findings are consistent with the general trends derived from other Gruta da Oliveira proxies (wood charcoal, coprolite pollen, large mammal associations), limited evidence from other MIS 5 terrestrial sites in Iberia, and offshore marine palynological records. • Combined quantitative and qualitative methods to reconstruct MIS 5 at Gruta da Oliveira. • Small-mammal assemblage used as a proxy to apply these methods. • A landscape dominated by open woodlands habitats has been identified. • Findings are consistent with the trends reported from other Gruta da Oliveira proxies. • Results accord with data from marine core pollen and other MIS 5 Iberian sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim with this paper is to provide insight into the landscape dynamics of the Cantabrian region (northern Iberian Peninsula) from the Last Glacial Period to the present. We present a multiproxy approach performed in a sedimentary record from La Molina peat bog, located at 484 m a. s. l. in Puente Viesgo, Cantabria (Latitude: 43.26° N; Longitude: 3.97° W), that covers the last c. 17,550 years. Analyses were performed on the organic matter, pollen and sedimentary charcoals, which have been used to characterise the fire regime at a local level. The results revealed a steppe-like formation from the basis of the sequence to the Bølling-Allerød chronozone, when the spread of woody species is detected. The dry and cold conditions of the Younger Dryas caused the decrease of mesophilous taxa until the onset of the Holocene. From that point onwards, a mixed deciduous formation composed of Betula and deciduous Quercus was established in the region. Besides, a series of biomass pulses was detected during the early Holocene, probably linked to intervals of increased rainfall. Fire episodes detected at the 9.3 and the 8.2 ka events created forest openings and probably favoured the establishment of Corylus, most likely also helped by a climate shift. There was a lack of fire activity until the Neolithic, when the fire signal increased probably linked to grazing and agricultural practices and triggered deeper changes in the Cantabrian plant landscape structure. • There is no evidence of pine forests during the last 17.55 cal ka. • A steppe-like formation is revealed until the spread of Betula at 13.7 cal ka BP. • Fires triggered changes in landscape composition during the 9.3 and 8.2 ka events. • The spread of Corylus was likely helped by a climate shift and the fire activity. • Agriculture was accompanied by recurrent fire activity to create forest openings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]