Influence of Geological and Soil Factors on Pine, Birch, and Alder Stability During the Holocene Climate Change in Central Latvia, Northeastern Europe

Understanding the past dynamics of vegetation in response to climate change is crucial for predicting future ecological outcomes. This study has two primary objectives: (1) to reconstruct the vegetation history of the coastal region around Lake Lilaste in Central Latvia during the Holocene and (2) to assess the impacts of climate change on forest composition through the analysis of pollen data and radiocarbon dating. The results indicate that dominant tree species, particularly pine (Pinus), have shown remarkable resilience despite significant climate fluctuations. Pine’s adaptation to the sandy, mineral-poor soils surrounding the lake likely underpins its sustained dominance, while the influence of climate change on overall tree biomass is more notable. Our results suggest that vegetation may be more susceptible to future climate variability, yet the region’s geological and soil conditions continue to favor pine, birch (Betula), and alder (Alnus) populations. While human activities have influenced the region during the last millennia, their impact has been more pronounced in areas further from the lake. This study underlines the importance of long-term forest dynamics and emphasizes that the soil and geological and geographical setting must be considered for climate change assessments.