Late Quaternary palaeoenvironments of the southern Cape, South Africa palynological evidence from three coastal wetlands

Abstract

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.Despite significant advances in palaeoenvironmental research in southern Africa, the late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental history of the region remains incomplete as palaeoclimatic proxy records are temporally and spatially discontinuous. The southern Cape is a key focus area within this region as it encompasses the Fynbos Biome, a global biodiversity hotspot, as well as rare Afrotemperate forest patches and is therefore of great botanical importance. As this area includes the transition from southern Africa’s winter rainfall zone to the year-round rainfall zone, it is also important from a climatic perspective