A Comparison of results from two designs of sedimention pollen trap

Two different types of sedimentation pollen traps (Tauber and Cundill designs) were tested together in a grassy glade within a pine forest in east Fife, Scotland over the period 1992-1995. The results from 1992 and 1993 are presented and demonstrate close similarities between the quantities of pollen of the major taxa captured by the two traps. Differences between the pollen values of Poaceae from the two traps may be attributed to localised release of pollen although variations in Pinus pollen are less easy to explain. Problems were encountered in the use of the Tauber trap because it acted as a pitfall trap for insects, amphibians and small mammals and this led to some samples from 1994 and 1995 being discarded. In general both the traps operated with the same level of efficiency although the Tauber trap requires the addition of a mesh or bactericide/preservative to counteract its tendency to act as a pitfall trap.