Microscopic organic-walled fossils are found in most sedimentary rocks. The organic particles - spores, pollens and other land and marine derived microfossils, representing animals, plants, fungi and protists - can be extracted and used to date the rock, reveal details of the original sedimentary environment and provide information on the climate of the time. The mix within a sediment of whole organic particles - palynomorphs - and organic fragments - palynodebris - form palynofacies. This book presents research work on the sedimentation of components of palynofacies and details their importance for sequence stratigraphy and the interpretation of ancient biologic and geologic environments. A comprehensive introduction to the subject is presented in the first chapter. Palynosedimentation in modern environments, the reconstruction of terrestrial vegetation and the application of the data to sequence stratigraphy are then considered. Later chapters detail various quantitative methods and their specific applications in the subject. This is a valuable reference work for palynologists and sedimentologists and also for paleobiologists, and for professionals working in the hydrocarbons industries.

‘In summary, this is a very valuable volume which should be available to all palaeopalynologists.’

J. E. A. Marshall Source: Cretaceous Research

‘ … obligatory for libraries of universities, consultancy companies as well as the industry related to oil exploration. The book is very well produced, has high quality illustrations … Prof. Alfred Traverse is to be congratulated on having found so many palynologists willing to contribute to this monumental volume.’

Source: Earth Science Reviews

‘All postgraduate, academic and other professional palynologists ought to find something of interest in this volume.’

Source: Geoscientist