University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Applications of Pollen Analysis in Estuarine Systems

chapter
posted on 2023-05-22, 17:41 authored by Joanna EllisonJoanna Ellison
Pollen and spores have an outer covering that is resistant to decay in anaerobic estuarine sediment, and their morphological and textural features, such as shape, size, aperture type and ornamentation, enable microscopic identification. Pollen analysis compares assemblages of pollen and spores in stratigraphic cores relative to the modern environment to reconstruct vegetation assemblages of past environments. Stratigraphic cores from estuarine deposits provide time-depth sequences of sediment samples, and the laboratory procedure in pollen analysis involves concentration of the pollen and spores. Microscopic examination allows identification, although it is difficult or impossible to distinguish between some genera and species, and down-core assemblages can be interpreted by comparison with those found in surface sediment samples and local and regional community structures of vegetation. Both relative abundance, and absolute concentration, are used to interpret the palaeo environment. Records have shown vegetation changes to be controlled by relative sea level change, and estuarine evolution such as progradation, infill, shoreline retreat, and by human influences. Estuarine sediments with high mixing and inorganic sediment content generally yield poorer pollen analysis records relative to estuarine sediments with an undisturbed time/depth sequence of stratigraphy and with limited reworking. Lower energy zones in central areas of wave and tide dominated estuaries have proven to be most useful for palaeo-environmental reconstruction by pollen analysis.

Funding

World Wildlife Fund Inc.

History

Publication title

Applications of Paleoenvironmental Techniques in Estuarine Studies

Editors

K Weckström, K Saunders, P Gell, G Skilbeck

Pagination

441-468

ISBN

978-94-024-0988-8

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

Springer

Place of publication

Netherlands

Extent

24

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 Springer Science-Business Media B.V.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Coastal or estuarine biodiversity

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC