Surface Pollen Studies Across Bankhead Moss, Fife, Scotland

Surface pollen studies across a small, wooded raised bog at Bankhead Moss in Fife, Scotland, have revealed a pattern of pollen dispersal and accumulation showing how representative the present pollen record of the bog is of the surrounding area. Pollen accumulation in the central open area of the bog is dominated by local pollen, mainly Calluna, and Betula pollen from the woodland. Of all the pollen types produced outside the bog only Gramineae is well represented, and of all the weed taxa found locally only Plantago and Rumex consistently appear. The implications of this work for the interpretation of early periods of forest clearance using such deposits are also discussed emphasizing the likelihood of not recognizing or underestimating the extent of land cleared, particularly if clearance was taking place some distance from the site.