280374 VO+UE Quaternary malacology (2005W)

A contribution to the knowledge of mid-european quaternary past:
In contrast to the most mammals, molluscs are closely linked with local environments, and many species indicate peculiar microhabitants. The development of their assemblages corresponds to that of vegetation. So, they are very suitable for detailed reconstruction of their environments - distribution of open habitants and woodland, aquatic habitats, warming or cooling. It is possible to establish index assemblages for various climatic fluctuations. Furthermore, the human impact through the younger half of the Holocene, which established entirely new conditions for the development of landscape, is manifested in the retreat of woodland assemblages and re-expansion of open-ground species in the cultivated areas.