: The data suggests that Neanderthals and later Anatomically Modern Humans were attracted to these areas by the abundant food supply. Crucially, researchers from the Nature journal study conclude that megafauna were not "overkilled" by humans but were instead victims of the drastic vegetation shifts caused by climate change. Ecological Resilience
: During warmer, wet interstadials, the expansion of trees promoted landscape stability and active soil development.
: As the climate cooled toward the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) , the landscape underwent a "stepwise" change from these dense forests toward a "glacial desert" after 26,000 years ago. AUEL - Frozen Forests
One of the most significant findings from the Auel site involves the presence of (spores that grow on animal dung like Sordaria and Sporormiella ). These markers prove that the "frozen forests" of the Eifel were never empty.
: Insights from these ancient forests are often used in modern ecological research to understand the resilience of coppice forests and other European woodland types in the face of modern climate change. Coppice Forests in Europe : The data suggests that Neanderthals and later
In scientific and paleoclimatic research, the "AUEL - Frozen Forests" typically refers to the (a volcanic crater lake) located in the Eifel region of Germany. This site has become a cornerstone of the ELSA-Project (Eifel Laminated Sediment Archive) , providing a high-resolution window into the climatic and ecological history of Central Europe over the last 60,000 years. The Auel Archive: A Paleoclimatic Deep-Dive
The Auel sediment cores are vital for reconstructing "frozen" or glacial-era landscapes. Unlike many other sites, the Auel maar contains laminated (layered) sediments that acted as a natural trap, preserving pollen, spores, and chemical proxies of the surrounding environment. : As the climate cooled toward the Last
: High concentrations of quartz-bound Si in Auel sediments reveal the intensification of eolian (wind-blown) dust during colder stadial periods, marking the transition from stable, forested land to exposed, wind-swept tundras. Megafauna and Human Coexistence