BIRDS FROM THE LATE PLEISTOCENE: ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATIC SCENARIOS BETWEEN THE ALPS AND THE GREAT ADRIATIC PLAIN (NORTH-EASTERN ITALY)

Abstract

In this work we show the potential of bird remains as environmental and climatic proxies, reconstructing the environmental scenarios of the piedmont area of North-Eastern Italy across the MIS3/MIS2 boundary, on the basis of the fossil avifauna that we found in Rio Secco Cave (PN) and Buso Doppio del Broion Cave (VI) in the Berici Hills. The results indicate the presence of a mosaic of environments, with open and forested areas and water and rocky habitats in a context of cold climatic conditions as indicated by the finding of the cold-adapted species Bubo scandiacus and Lagopus muta.