From Keith Alexander
Kurt Kleiner’s report on ancient forests misses the point that palynology – the study of pollen and spores – is not a precise science (12 March, p 11). Fraser Mitchell’s paper is a case in point. The percentages of tree pollen in dated deposits provide very rough measurements and it is inconceivable that these can reliably demonstrate the precise structure of ancient vegetation; there are far too many variables.
Frans Vera, who in your report says that Mitchell’s observations are inconclusive, has challenged the many wild interpretations of pollen measurements that have been published. So far there has been no quality discussion of the issues. The debate on the structure of the postglacial forests of Europe is vitally important in developing sound nature conservation policies. We need to move forward constructively, rather than bickering in this way.
Exeter, Devon, UK
