With the purpose of studying the vegetation and climatic changes in the last millenia of the Coastal Plain of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a palynological study was made of the sediments of the northern part of Lagoa dos Patos lagoon. Twenty-four samples from a 2.26 m core taken at a depth of 7.70 m (30° 50′ 50″ S and 50° 59′ 05″ W) were collected. The analyses revealed marine transgression at 5170±120 years B.P., giving rise to local vegetation consisting chiefly of xerophytes and halophytes. Vegetation characteristic of a humid environment was present along adjacent portions of the Coastal Plain at this time. Transgression increased at about 4080±110 years B.P., when the greatest level of tidewater was reached. This coincided with the beginning of forest vegetation development along the inner portions of the Coastal Plain. These data suggest that marine transgression may have been a consequence of higher temperatures and more humidity. After 4000 years B.P., regression occurred, resulting in fresh waters characteristics in the northern portion of the lagoon. The development of forest vegetation began at this time.