A protocol for plant macrofossil analysis of peat deposits

Abstract

Analyses of plant macrofossils can be used to reconstruct the development of the local vegetation on peatlands, and thus to elucidate successional processes. In the case of ombrotrophic peatlands, such analyses can also be used to generate palaeoclimate data. Identification of plant macrofossils in peat deposits is essential for accurate 14C dating. We present a brief overview of the sample pre-treatment procedure and available techniques for estimating macrofossil composition, and we recommend identification guides.

Keywords

• ombrotrophic bogs
• palaeoclimate
• palaeohydrology
• Sphagnum