EARLY HOLOCENE LAND FLORAS AND FAUNAS FROM EDGEOYA, EASTERN SVALBARD

Early Holocene, near-shore marine sediments from Visdalen, Edgeoya, ea stern Svalbard contain locally abundant allochthonous remains of land plants, notably bryophytes. Wetland species indicative of mineral-rich and calcareous soils are frequent, but upland plants are also well re presented. The fossil assemblages are indicative of ecological and cli matic conditions similar to those on Edgeoya today. The sediments cont ain one of the first fossil beetles reported from Svalbard. Apparently , the modern flora of Svalbard was already established in the earliest Holocene, probably following immigration from northern Europe. A few Armeria scabra remains are believed to be derived from interglacial de posits.