A simple and effective methodology for sampling modern pollen rain in tropical environments

Abstract

To gain a better insight into the nature of palaeovegetation change in tropical ecosystems, more information needs to be gleaned from the limited number of fossil pollen records that exist. To achieve this, a detailed understanding of modern tropical ecosystems and the pollen they produce is required. To facilitate this, a practicable and effective mechanism for sampling modern pollen rain from the tropics is required. This paper presents a modified field methodology based upon three years of trapping experience in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia, and improved laboratory preparation methodologies. We demonstrate here a simple and very effective way to sample modern pollen rain in tropical environments using a funnel trap mounted on a stake containing cotton fibre as the trapping medium.