This dataset provides both absolute and relative counts of botanical and zoological macroremains for the Holocene sediment sequence retrieved from Lake Loitsana (Finland) in 2008. Counts per taxon are presented against both depth (m) and age (cal ka. BP); observations for amounts of ash, detritus and minerogenic content are presented as well. For some taxa relative counts (Rel) are presented where: Rel.1 = Rare, less than 5 occurrences; Rel.2 = 5-10 occurrences; Rel.3 = 11-20 occurrences; Rel. 4 = 21-50 occurrences; Rel.5 = Mass occurrence. Two age/depths models are presented: the first model represents the original age/depth model applied to the records (Shala et al., 2014; 2017) and the second age/depth model, which is the author-preferred version, presents updated age-estimates derived using the r package 'Bacon' (Blaauw and Christensen, 2011). The macroremains dataset provides information on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem dynamics. A total of 120 samples was analysed for macroscopically visible remains of plant and animal taxa following Birks (2007). Sample size ranges from 5 to c. 30 cm³ but was mainly 10-15 cm³. Samples were washed through a 100 μm sieve under a fine jet of water. The residue was analysed in a Petri-dish under a stereo-microscope and light microscope with x20 magnification. The plant nomenclature follows Mossberg and Stenberg (2003) and the analyses were performed in the laboratories of Stockholm University, Sweden.

Further funding was provided by SKB (Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company) and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research.