PTERIDOPHYTA LANDSCAPE THROUGH HOLOCENE EPOCH IN ELBASAN, ALBANIA

This scientific paper provides an overview of the distribution of Pteridophyta spores, based on data obtained from the analysis of soil samples belonging to the Holocene epoch for Elbasan city, an ancient city positioned in Middle Albania. Interesting paleopalynological data are presented that show the presence over the years of Pteridophyta representatives during the New Holocene, the last historical epoch of the Quaternary period.

The main purpose of this study is to present the relationship that exists between the depth and the distribution of Pteridophyta representatives over the time. To achieve this goal, soil samples were taken and analyzed in the laboratory in the months of July - September 2020. Data on fossil spores of Pteridophyta are provided for the first time and so far there have been no paleopalynological studies on Pteridophyta for Elbasani town.

The study material, with a weight of about 0.5 kg for each depth, was obtained at five stations in Elbasan area through drilling with a dry rotary probe with a diameter of 110 - 130 mm. After sampling in the field we stored them in sterile plastic containers until physico-chemical processing of sediment (1 gram) in the laboratory using Erdtman method.

The results obtained clearly represent the upward trend of Pteridophyta from depth to surface. The predominant distribution of ferns occurs in surface samples (1.5 - 0.25 m) while a small presence is observed in depths samples (4-3.25 m).

Based on the obtained results, we have tried to present clearly the sporopolenic distribution of Pteridophyta representatives, where we can emphasize the fact that: fossil spores are found at all depths, from a depth of 4 m to the earth's surface (with a considerable total of 1201 spores) and this distribution is slightly constant at each depth level, with an increasing tendency towards the surface.