Taboły, a large mire located in the Puszcza Knyszyńska Forest (NE Poland), was recognized as having a complex history. Numerous drillings led to a reconstructed description of its basin. Analysis of macroscopic plant remains was used to discern its subfossil vegetation and to identify the initial peat-forming plant communities. The age of selected sediment samples was dated by the radiocarbon dating. The peat-forming centre was located in a shallow depression. Peat accumulation started 11941–11537 yrs BC. The water body from Taboły was likely formed in the Allerød interstadial. The two Taboły basins differ in age, aquatic plants and initial peat-forming plant communities. The shape of the basin bottom, the age of the oldest sediments and paleoenvironmental factors induced the idea that the water body is of thermokarst genesis.
Keywords: NE Poland, Puszcza Knyszyńska Forest, Late Glacial, mire, peat-forming process, thermokarst
