Influence of stemflow on the representation of pollen oftiliain soils

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Abstract
The pollen distribution in mineral soil in woodland containing Tilia × europaea L. was studied in an attempt to explain abnormally high percentages of Tilia pollen found in some podzol profiles. It was shown that a greater concentration of pollen containing greater proportions of Tilia pollen occurred in a narrow zone (c. 30 cm) around the trunk of Tilia trees than in the soil further from the trunk. This is attributed to the effect of stemflow concentrating pollen and possibly increasing the preservation of pollen at the trunk base. The percentages of Tilia pollen found were similar to the abnormally high values from the podzol profiles. It is suggested that these profiles mark the precise locations of trees in an earlier woodland. The implications of this to the interpretation of soil pollen diagrams are discussed.