A Middle Weichselian moss assemblage from Hirtshals, Denmark, and some remarks on the environment 47,000 BP

Macrofossil analysis of an organic deposit from Hirtshals, northern Jutland, previously radiocarbon-dated to 47,300 BP (Moershoofd Interstadial complex) yielded a subarctic/low-arctic flora of 41 moss and two phanerogamous taxa. Next to the mosses in the nearby Ska:rumhede deposit, identified by A. Hesselbo early in this century, this is the richest fossil moss flora recorded in Denmark. Among the mosses in the Hirtshals deposit were Aongstroemia longipes, Aulacomnium turgidum, Barbula acuta, Conostomum tetragonum, Cynodontium tenellum and Entodon concinnus. The macrofossil- and pollen-assemblages reflect a treeless landscape with a vegetation dominated by herbs, dwarf shrubs and mosses. Based on the present distribution and ecology in Fennoscandia of the recovered taxa, the following conclusions on the environment are drawn: the climate was non-oceanic with mean July temperatures between 8 and 10°C; the topography was varied, dry exposed microsites were important in the landscape, and acid stones were present; surface erosion was strong and calcareous raw soil dominated. The Hirtshals macrofossil flora shows many similarities to the flora found by A. Hesselbo and N. Hartz in synchronous layers of the Skærumhede deposit.