A pollen record from Lago Condorito (41 degrees 45'S, 73 degrees 07'W) show
s that North Patagonian Rain Forest taxa predominated between about 13,000
and 12,200 C-14 yr B.P. in the lowlands of southern Chile, near the city of
Puerto Montt. This was followed by the expansion and persistence of the co
nifer Podocarpus nubigena between 12,200 and 9900 C-14 yr B.P. Trees favore
d by disturbance expanded between 11,200 and 9900 C-14 yr B.P., concurrent
with sharp and sustained increases of microscopic charcoal particles. Taxa
of low-elevation rain forests expanded and became more diverse in pulses ce
ntered at 9900 and 9000 C-14 yr B.P., following the disappearance of P. nub
igena. These data suggest conditions approaching modern climate between abo
ut 13,000 and 12,200 C-14 yr B.P. The climate cooled between 12,200 and 990
0 C-14 yr B.P., then quickly warmed to interglacial conditions. Stand-repla
cing fires occurred near Lago Condorito between 11,200 and 9900 C-14 yr B.P
., under cool-temperate, humid conditions. The proximity and reported antiq
uity of the Monte Verde archeological site raise the possibility that these
fires were set by human activities. (C) University of Washington.