Early Weichselian interstadial sediments at Härnösand, Sweden

The till-covered organic sediments at Härnösand have been resampled and reinvestigated with respect to their micro- and macrofossil content. The sediments were deposited in a shallow freshwater basin with a sandy substratum and probably under oligotrophic conditions. The regional vegetation consisted of a shrub or herb tundra, later changing into an open Betula forest with scattered Picea and Larix . In the lake, submerged plants such as Potamogeton filiformis and Isoëtes lacustris grew, together with Carex . On the shores the vegetation consisted of Betula nana , occasional Betula trees, Salix and Selaginella selaginoides . The beetle fauna suggests an average July temperature of 10–11°C. The flora indicates limited leaching and, thus, deposition during a relatively long and warm interstadial is suggested. The Härnösand sediments are subsequently correlated with the Brörup Interstadial.