Cave surface pollen and the palynological potential of karstic cave sediments in palaeoecology

Palynological results are presented of surface cave sediments from six cave s of southeastern Spain, which differ in location, morphology, size, orient ation and number of entrances. The results address several issues of pollen taphonomy in a cave environment. Modern sediments from caves contain polle n assemblages that may reflect local and regional vegetation even better th an those obtained in the exterior environment. Cave geometry is an importan t factor affecting the quality of pollen spectra registered inside the cavi ty. Generally, the highest concentrations of palynomorphs are observed in t he cave entrance and in sediments associated to dry depositional conditions . Speleothems and wet carbonated sediments, and those obtained from wall an d rear areas often contain altered pollen spectra. Biotically transported t axa can help to provide palaeoecological information. The depositional cont ext is extremely complex and caution should be taken in palaeoecological re construction. Therefore, uniform rules for sampling strategy should not be applied to all cave sediments. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.