To study ancient climate change, scientists find pollen grains preserved in sediment or ice cores. By analyzing the composition and distribution of these pollen grains, researchers can reconstruct past vegetation and environmental conditions. This method, known as palynology, provides insights into changes in climate over time.
When identifying the types of plants that pollen grains belonged to, scientists look at various attributes. One key attribute is the shape and structure of the pollen grain. Each plant species has a unique pollen grain morphology that can be distinguished under a microscope. Additionally, features such as the size, surface texture, and presence of specific structures like spikes or pores can help scientists differentiate between different plant species based on their pollen grains.
