Non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) and their role in reconstructing the paleoclimate of the Seki-Eceler Höyük during the Holocene in southwestern Türkiye

This study investigates non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) assemblages from the 4.7 m long JARK014-4 sediment core to reconstruct Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes at Seki-Eceler Höyük in southwestern Türkiye. During the early Holocene, the abundance of NPPs related to freshwater, including Azolla , Spirogyra and Zygnema , indicates the presence of extensive aquatic and wetland habitats. In addition, variations in Glomus which is an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, reflect changes in terrestrial and catchment inputs. Between 8200 and 7700 yr BP, the decline in aquatic NPPs and the increase in Glomus and Scleroderma are consistent with reduced freshwater availability and increased catchment disturbance associated with the 8.2 ka climatic event. However, the influence of hydrological controls cannot be ruled out. During the middle Holocene, Sporormiella type indicates the presence of herbivores and possible grazing activity. Furthermore, Thecaphora and Tilletia suggest an increase in the disturbance of herbaceous vegetation and possible agricultural activity. The late Holocene is characterized by a decline in freshwater-related NPPs and an increase in terrestrial fungal indicators, suggesting an increase in catchment disturbance due to interacting hydroclimatic variability and anthropogenic pressure. Numerous unidentified morphotypes are catalogued as EIES-015–EIES-165. Although numerous taxonomically unresolved morphotypes are documented as a morphological reference for future NPP studies within the EIES series, they are not used as primary paleoenvironmental indicators.