
Pollen fossils
Pollen fossils are preserved grains of pollen from ancient plants that have been preserved in sediments over time. These fossils provide valuable insights into past climates and plant communities because pollen is specific to certain species. When scientists examine these fossils, they can reconstruct ancient environments, track plant evolution, and understand how ecosystems responded to changes over millions of years. Pollen fossils are commonly found in sediment layers like lakes, peat bogs, and soils, offering a detailed record of plant life throughout Earth's history without needing to find entire plant remains.