A Holocene sedimentary sequence extending back to ca. 7,800 cal yr BP has been obtained from Báb-tava in the Bereg Plain, N.E. Hungary. Using the techniques of lithostratigraphy, radiocarbon dating, pollen and plant macrofossil analyses the study describes terrestrial vegetation development and hydroseral succession in the environment of the oxbow lake. In  the Mid-Holocene, refugial population of Picea abies existed within a landscape dominated by closed mixed deciduous floodplain forest with Corylus avellana as an important element. Coppicing of Corylus avellana and Ulmus has been demonstrated between 7,200 and 6,900 cal yr BP and assigned to Middle Neolithic groups. Advance of Picea abies around Báb-tava together with Carpinus betulus pointed to decreasing summer temperatures and increasing moisture availability from 6,750 cal yr BP and intensifying mountain influence. The most dramatic shift in the Holocene 

woodland composition was recorded around 3,700 cal yr BP when Carpinus betulus and Fagus sylvatica attained dominance together with Quercus species. Detailed reconstruction of the wetland succession revealed that the floating Sphagnum-bog occupying much of the lake surface today developed ca. 1,350 cal yr BP pursuing floating-fen associations, and in connection with the wetland succession, gradual nutrient sequestration.  

The distinctive features of the Holocene vegetation development of this area in relation to other parts of E. Hungary and N.W. lowland Romania are discussed. The role of the area in the Early to Mid-Holocene, and possible Weichselian survival of Picea abies is raised.