An experimental approach to the palynology of cave deposits

Surface sediment, speleothems, and bat guano from two adjacent, topographic ally different cave sites in eastern Spain have been studied palynologicall y to elucidate the potential of cave sediments for palaeoenvironmental reco nstruction. A cave opening with a large entrance and constant width present ed far fewer problems of alteration in the pollen assemblages than a sac-li ke 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 a nd rear areas and avoiding moisture zones. Lateral differences in the polle n spectra indicate that sampling should be on the basis of a multiple-profi le approach and selection of dry rather than wet sediments. If these proced ures are followed, within-cave sediments can realistically reflect not only local but also regional vegetation of the site. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wi ley & Sons, Ltd.