Postglacial history of Atlantic oakwoods: Context, dynamics and controlling factors

Summary We present here a review of the recolonisation of the Atlantic oakwoods following the end of the last glacial period. The study is based on two independent data sources: palaeoecological and phylogeographical data. The spread of oak is examined at two scales: (1) continental, allowing a consideration of the location of glacial refugia and the broad outlines of the migration, (2) the Atlantic coastal region, in order to establish the specific history of the Atlantic oakwoods. Climatic and human controls on the timing, speed and pattern of spread are considered, in particular, the conditions of the early Holocene period during which the majority of the recolonisation took place.