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An experimental approach to the palynology of cave deposits
Author(s) -
Camacho C. Navarro,
Carrión J. S.,
Navarro J.,
Munuera M.,
Prieto A. R.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of quaternary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.142
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-1417
pISSN - 0267-8179
DOI - 10.1002/1099-1417(200009)15:6<603::aid-jqs544>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - cave , geology , pollen , sedimentary depositional environment , palynology , vegetation (pathology) , sediment , paleontology , archaeology , geography , ecology , medicine , pathology , structural basin , biology
Surface sediment, speleothems, and bat guano from two adjacent, topographically different cave sites in eastern Spain have been studied palynologically to elucidate the potential of cave sediments for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. A cave opening with a large entrance and constant width presented far fewer problems of alteration in the pollen assemblages than a sac‐like cave opening with a constricted entrance. Pollen concentration is linked primarily to the amount of pollen input rather than to the result of post‐depositional alteration. Sampling should be undertaken away from parietal and rear areas and avoiding moisture zones. Lateral differences in the pollen spectra indicate that sampling should be on the basis of a multiple‐profile approach and selection of dry rather than wet sediments. If these procedures are followed, within‐cave sediments can realistically reflect not only local but also regional vegetation of the site. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.