Evidence from testate amoebae for changes in some local hydrological conditions between c. 5000 BP and c. 3800 BP on Edgeøya (Svalbard)

The study of a subfossil peat from the northwestern part of Edgeøya (Svalbard) enabled a reconstruction of the changes in the testate amoebae communities from c. 5000 BP to c. 3800 BP to be made. Two stratigraphical zones are recognized. The ecological interpretation of these sequences revealed rather humid and unstable hydrological conditions at the bog surface in the oldest zone, which presumably lasted until about 45004300 BP. The communities in the upper zone indicated a more stable and drier environment.