A database of radiocarbon dates from Holocene fluvial environments in Spain has been compiled. The dates have been classified according to the different types of depositional environments and ensembles from which the samples were collected. The sampling locations have been categorised according to geographical region, elevation and drainage basin area. The results of the analysis indicate a number of phases of increased fluvial activity: 11,280-10,230 cal. BP; 9565-8785 cal. BP; 7975-7090 cal.BP; 5740-4135 cal. BP; 3880-3085 cal. BP; 2895-1820 cal. BP; and 1300-0 cal. BP. A review of the radiocarbon dating evidence combined with palynological data of Holocene vegetation changes indicate that increased fluvial activity and geomorphc effectiveness coincide with periods with a more open landscape indicating the importance of sediment supply in the formation of the depositional landforms. Detailed analysis of the record has enabled the relative forcing of climatic variability and anthropogenic impacts to be determined. The major climatic perturbations of the Holocene that are recorded in the fluvial record are the 8200 BP, 2650 BP and Little Ice Age periods of climatic deterioration, with increased flood frequency also related to the Medieval Warm Period.

This research was carried out as part of the project: “Past hydrological events related to an understanding of global change”, funded by the International Council for Science (ICSU). The authors would like to thank Mark Macklin and Eric Johnstone for their input regarding the methodological approach that came from their analysis of the UK fluvial record (in preparation).

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