Modern pollen deposition in cave sites: experimental results from New York State

SUMMARY Results from two years of pollen trapping experiments in New York State show that pollen spectra inside the three caves studied are highly similar to the pollen rain outside the caves. Statistical comparisons of modern pollen spectra derived from Tauber traps, speleothems, moss polsters, and nearby pond sediments suggest that pollen deposition inside caves can provide a reliable index of the regional and local vegetation, directly comparable to the more conventional spectra derived from lake sediments and moss polsters. Because of the relatively low pollen influx inside caves, however, stochastic and episodic forms of particle transport may influence pollen deposition inside caves in proportions that are unique to each site. With careful attention to site parameters such as entrance size, pollen preservation, and modes of sedimentation, investigators could make greater use of caves in palynological studies.