Late Wisconsin Climate of Northern Florida and the Origin of Species-Rich Deciduous Forest

Abstract

Species-rich mesic forest covered northern Florida as early as 14,000 radiocarbon years before present. It probably originated in deciduous tree populations already present locally in conifer forest between 24,000 and 18,600 years before present. The cold, dry Late Wisconsin climate ended before 14,600 years before present. A transitional warm, dry phase preceded a precipitation increase at 14,000 years before present.