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Müllenhoff, M., Handl, M., Knipping, M., Brückner, H.. The evolution of Lake Bafa (Western Turkey) - Sedimentological, microfaunal and palynological results. In: Schernewski, G., Dolch, T. (eds.). Geographie der Meere und Küsten. Coastline Reports (1), pp. 55-66. 2004.

Zusammenfassung:

During the last six or so millennia, the former marine embayment of the Latmian Gulf has been silted up by the progradation of the Büyük Menderes (Maeander) delta. Long-term human impact together with the ecologically unstable natural environment of the Mediterranean region has led to strong erosion in the hinterland resulting in the progradation of the delta and the gradual infill of the embayment. Due to these processes, Lake Bafa has been created as a brackish residual lake in the southern part of the former embayment. We present results of sedimentological, microfaunal and palynological analyses of two sediment cores out of the lake, which provide insights into the palaeogeographic evolution of the Latmian Gulf as a whole and its vicinities in the Holocene. Open deciduous oak forests represent the climax vegetation of the area. When human impact increased in the so-called "Beyşehir Occupation Phase" in the late 2nd millennium BC, degradation to the secondary formations of maquis and phrygana took place. Whilst grain-growing was important only during Antiquity, strong evidence of pasturing and the cultivation of fruit (mostly olive) trees in the area around the lake could be found until recent times. Full marine conditions in the embayment prevailed until the Hellenistic period. Owing to the delta progradation of the northern branch of the Maeander and the development of the "Milesian Lake", the milieu became stagnant and gradually turned brackish. A freshwater impulse can be deciphered in the 1st half of the 2nd millennium AD, when Lake Bafa as such was created.

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