Holocene Climate Dynamics in the Central Mediterranean

This research article documents climate changes in the central Mediterranean during the Holocene, utilizing pollen data from 38 records across southern France and Italy. The study applies four climate reconstruction methods to analyze seasonal climatic parameters, including winter and summer temperatures and precipitation. The findings indicate that summer temperatures during the mid Holocene were slightly cooler than present-day conditions in the southern central Mediterranean, contrasting with previous reconstructions from other Mediterranean regions. Additionally, the article highlights a Holocene thermal maximum in northern areas, particularly at elevations above 1000 meters. The research reveals specific spatio-temporal patterns in Holocene summer and winter conditions, with a notable differentiation in temperature and precipitation across southern France and Italy. The study emphasizes the onset of 'Mediterraneanization' in the central Mediterranean after 8000 years Before Present, characterized by wet winters and dry summers, with varying impacts across the region. The results contribute to understanding the complex climate dynamics of the Mediterranean basin.