A Late Weichselian and early Flandrian pollen diagram from Østervatnet, Varanger peninsula, NE Norway

A relative and absolute (pollen concentration) diagram is presented from Østervatnet, southern Varanger peninsula, north of the Main sub‐stage (Tromsø‐Lyngen) moraines. The pollen assemblage zones are correlated biostratigraphically with chronozones from Bølling to Middle Flandrian. Sediment analyses (loss on ignition and particle size) and implied sedimentation rates support this chronology. The three 14C‐dates are considered too old by 1000–2000 years because of hard water error. Redeposited Tertiary palynomorphs were encountered in the lower, mineral sediments; their source is unknown. Pollen spectra and pollen deposition rates indicate tundra throughout the Late Weichselian, with Artemisia‐grass steppe predominant during Older and Younger Dryas. Rapid vegetational changes began at around 10,000 B.P., followed by successive immigration and establishment of tree birch (with accompanying floristic change) and Juniperus. Ericales were conspicuously unimportant and the pollen diagram records a herb flora rich in basiphilous species