MODERN POLLEN DEPOSITION IN CAVE SITES - EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS FROM NEW-YORK-STATE

Results from two years of pollen trapping experiments in New York Stat e show that pollen spectra inside the three caves studied are highly s imilar to the pollen rain outside the caves. Statistical comparisons o f modern pollen spectra derived from Tauber traps, speleothems, moss p olsters, and nearby pond sediments suggest that pollen deposition insi de caves can provide a reliable index of the regional and local vegeta tion, directly comparable to the more conventional spectra derived fro m lake sediments and moss polsters. Because of the relatively low poll en influx inside caves, however, stochastic and episodic forms of part icle transport may influence pollen deposition inside caves in proport ions that are unique to each site. With careful attention to site para meters such as entrance size, pollen preservation, and modes of sedime ntation, investigators could make greater use of caves in palynologica l studies.