The palynology blog
Short, clear articles on how the science of pollen actually works.
Pollen analysis of honey: how melissopalynology works
How labs read the pollen in honey to confirm floral and geographic origin, and what the method cannot prove.
Read →How much do palynologists earn?
No agency tracks "palynologist" pay. We map the job to official occupation data, with sources and caveats.
Read →Where to study palynology
A verified shortlist of universities, labs and short courses, plus how to find a funded PhD.
Read →Palynology in oil and gas exploration
How spores and dinocysts date rocks, correlate wells and reveal thermal maturity.
Read →Palynology in archaeology
What pollen from sites, soils and artefacts reveals about farming, diet and landscapes, and its pitfalls.
Read →The role of palynology in plant taxonomy
Why apertures, exine and size matter in plant classification, with real family examples.
Read →How to identify pollen grains under a microscope
A practical method: size, shape, apertures and sculpture, the NPC system, keys and databases.
Read →How pollen counts are measured
Inside a monitoring station: volumetric traps, grains per cubic metre, EN 16868 and forecast limits.
Read →Acetolysis and pollen slide preparation, explained
What each preparation step does, from KOH and HF to acetolysis and mounting, with safety notes.
Read →How to commission a pollen analysis
What to ask a lab, how to sample and ship, and what a pollen analysis report should include.
Read →Why pollen survives for millions of years
The secret is a molecule called sporopollenin — arguably the toughest material any plant makes.
Read →How forensic palynologists help solve crimes
Pollen is invisible, sticky and everywhere — which makes it superb trace evidence.
Read →Reading a pollen diagram: a beginner's guide
Those spiky charts of curves are timelines of ancient forests. Here's how to read one.
Read →