Recent Pollen Spectra of Highland Guatemala

Data on modern pollen deposition are presented from highland Guatemala and their relation with modern vegetation is examined. Results are based on pollen analysis of sixty-two moss samples collected between 2800 and 4200 m elevation from alpine bunchgrassland, subalpine vegetation and fir forest. The modern pollen rain data were analyzed by classification (TWINSPAN) and ordination analysis (DCA) and association indices. The degree of over-representation and under-representation of the pollen data with respect to the modern vegetation was established. The fir forest belt (2800-3400 m) shows highest percentages of Abies and Asteraceae, the subalpine forest belt (3400-4000 m) shows highest values of Juniperus, Buddleja and Poaceae. The alpine bunchgrassland (4000-4200 m) is not characterized by an increased presence of any taxon. Pinus (up to 90%), Alnus (up to 40%), Quercus (up to 7%) and Hedyosmum (up to 0.8%) pollen is recovered from all vegetation belts.