Moss remains from the last interglacial at Thule, NW Greenland

Moss remains in a sediment sample from Narsaarsuk near the Thule Air Base, NW Greenland (76° 27′ N, 69° 35′ W), were identified to obtain insights into vegetation and environmental conditions 119-123 ka BP. Thirty-two taxa were identified, seven of which had not been found as subfossils on Greenland before. Comparisons with modern habitats and geographical distributions of the mosses suggest the following. (1) The environment was mostly mineral-rich. (2) Terrestrial habitats had a sparse vegetation with mostly disturbance-tolerant species. (3) At least some wetland habitats were somewhat nutrient-enriched, indicating that they were close to the sea or possibly bird cliffs. (4) The climate was arctic, but the summer had a longer period of above-zero mean temperatures than at present. The bryophyte finds support earlier published evidence from animal and vascular plant remains concerning influence by the sea and climate.