Paleopalynological analysis of Primulaceae family evolution during the New Holocene period in Elbasan, Albania

Abstract

This paper presents pioneering paleopalynological data on the Primulaceae family during the New Holocene period in Elbasan, Albania. Fossil pollen was extracted from soil deposits spanning the last 20 centuries, shedding light on the evolutionary trajectory of Primulaceae plants in the region. Soil samples of approximately 0.5 kg, retrieved from depths of 4 m to the surface, were collected at five stations in the Elbasan area using a dry rotary drilling probe between October and November 2023. The Holocene epoch was a critical period of significant shifts in climate and ecological conditions, and understanding plant evolution during this era provides insights into environmental dynamics and human impact on vegetation. A total of 754 Primulaceae palynomorphs were identified across all analysed soil samples, indicating a consistent presence throughout the New Holocene period. The abundance and distribution of Primulaceae pollen suggest enduring resilience and adaptation within the local ecosystem, and the study highlights a correlation between changes in vegetation patterns and human cultivation practices, underscoring anthropogenic influences on regional flora dynamics. Human activities, particularly cultivation, emerge as key drivers of vegetation dynamics in the Elbasan region, highlighting the intertwined relationship between human activities and plant evolution.