GEOECOLOGY OF THE NORRA-STORFJALLET AREA, NORTHERN SWEDEN

The geoecology of the Norra Storfjallet region is reconstructed from t he record of deglaciation beginning about 8000 yr BP with the first br eak-up of the Fenno-Scandian ice sheet (Stage 1). By Stage 2 valleys b elow 600 m a.s.l. (the Tarna Valley was an exception) had become free of ice. Stage 3 involved a retreat of small valley glaciers to about 7 00-800 m, major nunataks appeared on the high plateau, and outlet glac iers were considerably reduced in size. Stage 4 was characterized by a warmer and wetter climate (Mid-Atlantic chronozone, 6000-5000 yr BP) when timberline rose to about 900 m. This led to the development of Sp odosols (podzols) under stands of dwarf pine in swale topography. This paleo-podzolic signature was not erased during alpine conditions that typified the Sub-Boreal (Stage 5) and Sub-Atlantic (Stage 6) chronozo nes that followed. These were periods of lower temperatures and with r educed precipitation initially during Stage 5. Precipitation increased during the Sub-Atlantic and, together with temperature, remained simi lar to the present. Human settlement began about 6000 yr BP and had a recognizable impact on the landscape. This activity accelerated during the Sub-Boreal and Sub-Atlantic, with more intensive use of the mount ains for reindeer procurement. The reconstructions are based upon glac ial, geomorphological, pedological, and archaeological evidence.