PALEOCLIMATES OF THE SOUTHERN TANGANYIKA BASIN OVER THE LAST 25-THOUSAND YEARS - QUANTITATIVE RECONSTRUCTION FROM THE STATISTICAL TREATMENTOF POLLEN DATA

Quantitative annual temperature and rainfall changes are inferred from the best analogues statistical method applied to pollen data from 3 s equences from southern Lake Tanganyika. The record concerns the last 2 5 thousands years. The chronological framework is based on 9 C-14 date s. The temperature reconstruction indicates a mean annual glacial cool ing of 4 to 5 degrees C (+/- 3 degrees C), and a 200 to 250 mm precipi tation decrease. These results (8 degrees South) that are in good agre ement with that obtained in the Burundi highlands (4 degrees South), a re discussed in the palaeoclimatic framework in this area.