1. Pollen Analysis Correlate Quaternary stratigraphic units
Reconstruct vegetation history
To investigate the impact of human activities on late Quaternary vegetation and landscape in many parts of the world

2. Pollen Analysis Pollen Characteristics Resistant to decay
Morphological characteristics specific to plant groups
Produced in vast quantities
Reflect the natural vegetation of a location
Small ( u)

3. Pollen Analysis Pollen production
All plants that have sexual reproduction
Productivity depends on dispersal mechanism           Autogamous (self fertilised)                     = very small amounts of pollen           Entomophilous/zoophilous (insect & animal)                     = small amounts of pollen           Anemophilous (wind)                     = large amounts of pollen

4. Pollen Analysis Pollen dispersal
Most pollen not carried far from site (1 km)
Some can travel very long distances
Dispersal as a function of:                     grain size                     wind (direction speed)                     precipitation
Plant habit and dispersal                     low vegetation                     trees

5. Pollen Analysis
Pollen Diagrams

6. Pollen Analysis

7. Pollen Analysis