Pollen Grain Preservation of Underrepresented Species in Fossil Spectra

Pollen grains of 10 genera significant in pollen analysis were placed in a Sphagnum bog, in peat stored in a laboratory, and in pond bottom sediment. The decomposition of both protoplasts and sporoderms of these pollen grains was followed for periods up to 2 years. Species of the same genus showed similar preservation characteristics. Acer, referred to in literature as underrepresented in pollen spectra, was severely degraded, becoming unrecognizable in pond sediment. In general the pond sediment was more destructive of sporoderms than was the Sphagnum bog. Species used in the study are listed in order of sporodermal degradation and classified by their tendency to fossilize in peat and in pond sediment.