Alpine peatlands aged 10 000 years old were cored in the Swiss Fimba Valley to investigate their development and past environmental conditions. Sediment layers embedded in the peat show periods of glacier growth, which suppressed peat growth. Human impacts like pastoralism and deforestation began shaping the landscape from the Bronze Age onwards into what it is today. The impacts and potential effects on carbon accumulation and flood mitigation in the valley should be considered in land management practice.

It is unclear since when and how meso-scale central European river systems have been dominated by human instead of natural influences. Here, the floodplain sediments of the Kinzig River, southwestern Germany, were studied as they recorded natural and human landscape changes. Sediment deposition phases were found, the modern phase of which coincides with increased deposition and heavy metal contaminations that correlate with mining records, indicating that the river system has shifted intensely over 1000 years.

The Drakensberg and Lesotho highlands serve as essential water sources. Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of rising global temperatures, prompting paleoclimatic reconstructions. However, the Last Glacial Maximum's paleoclimate conditions remain debated. Re-examination of a landscape feature challenges prior glacier associations. Our findings suggest no glacial link. Reassessing similar landforms in Lesotho's high-altitude areas is necessary for the LGM's paleoclimate implications.

Glacio-lacustrine sediments from the overdeepened lower Salzach Valley were investigated. A 30 m long core retrieved sediments that could be identified as the “Salzburger Seeton”. Single-grain luminescence dating methods were applied on six samples spread over the whole depth of the core. The depositional age of these sediments was calculated to be 18.6 ± 0.9 ka. This time frame suggests that at least some shallow parts were filled by post-LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) lacustrine fine sediments.

This study investigates the Khur Basin in central Iran, a crucial area for understanding landscape history, past environmental changes, and potential human migration. By analysing the sedimentary archives and mapping landforms, six stages of landscape development were identified, linked to the climate shifts over the late Quaternary period. The findings provide a detailed understanding of how a desert environment, including alluvial fans, dunes, and playas, developed in response to changing climates.

This study examines the evolution of the lower Bruche River valley in north-eastern France through its fluvial terraces, reflecting past river dynamics and environmental changes. Terrace formations are dated using luminescence to ~ 12–14 ka, ~ 27–35 ka, and at least 200 ka. Methodological improvements over conventional luminescence dating techniques are also discussed and refined in this study.

The work shows detailed reconstructions of the glaciers in the Valsugana area (south-eastern Alps) during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and is supported by robust evidence and new exposure datings. These are the first ages for the internal sector of the south-eastern Alps. Local glaciers not connected with the major ice network were used for the calculation of their equilibrium line altitude. This let us estimate LGM palaeoprecipitation and compare it to Alpine palaeoclimatological models. 

This article is the preface of the special issue "Quaternary research in times of change – inspired by INQUA Roma 2023". It is a result of the XXI INQUA Congress held in Rome in July 2023. It briefly presents the nine contributions published in this volume.

This paper presents the current state of research on mining history in the Selke River catchment as part of the eastern Harz vein district. We used different archives to compile and localise information about former mines/mining fields and smelting sites. The extraction and operation periods of these sites provide further information on possible signals in the overbank deposits due to mining activity, providing a basis for further analysis and interpretation of alluvial deposits.