Problem
You prepared sediment cored from the bottom of the lake to study the pollen assemblages. You realize that Picea and Eriogonum grains are present throughout the length of the core. However, toward the top of the core, you find an increase of Pinus and Poacea grains. Age determination indicates that the oldest sediments are from the end of the Pleistocene, and the youngest sediments of the core are modern Holocene.
Based on your findings, what can you conclude about the climate of your area of Study? Explain your reasoning.