| Abstract: | Pollen and spores form a significant part of the suspended organic load of a New Forest stream. Flood concentrations reach 230 grains ml?1 while baseflow carries under one grain ml?1. Hydrographs from different seasons show differing hysteretic loops for pollen and spore concentrations against discharge and suspended sediment. These variations reflect not only factors of production, but the type and distance of the contributing sources. This investigation suggests that variations in flood pollen and spore concentrations may be used to trace such suspended sediment sources as: eroding bedrock, channel banks, or hillslopes under specific vegetation covers. |
