Abstract
We investigated absolute number and preservation of pollen and spores in several types of forest soil. In addition, differences in preservation of pollen and spores in soil profiles were also explored. A type of forest soil, even in a warm temperate forest, possessed a large amount of pollen and spores. Pollen and spores were well- preserved in strong acid soils. Furthermore, pollen and spores in moderately moist brown forest soils (Bu) were well-preserved relatively to those in dry brown forest soils (B8 ). It is considered that absolute number and preservation of pollen and spores are influenced by soil pH and soil moisture rather than soil texture and temperature in the study sites. Pollen and spores in strong acid soils tended to be chemically oxidized and mechanically damaged rather than biologically corroded. Deterioration of major pollen grains was closely correlated with their grain size, external morphology, and exine thickness. Thus, strong acid soils may be appropriate for quantitive pollen analysis, if distortion derived from different types of pollen deterioration is corrected.
