The selection of small forest hollows for pollen analysis in boreal and temperate forest regions

Small forest hollows represent a specialised site type for pollen analysis, since they mainly record the vegetation within an approximate radius of 20–100 m from the hollow. We discuss how to choose the most appropriate small forest hollow for pollen analysis. Hollow size, site topography, location, sediment type, drainage aspects and disturbance characteristics of the specific hollows should be considered during site selection. Guidelines are developed on how to take the core and outline the special characteristics of small hollow palynology that influence data interpretation.