Leitfaden der Pollenbestimmung fur Mitteleuropa und angrenzende Gebiete

H.-J. BEUG

Publisher Verlag Friedrich Pfeil, Munich, 2004 (542 pp. 120 plates, 12 tables)
€ 90.00 ISBN 3 89937 043 0

This new manual on the identification of fossil pollen grains of plants from the West European and Middle European floras offers a wealth of information. Hans-Jurgen Beug demonstrates in this handbook his thorough knowledge of pollen morphology. The keys presented give access to 568 different pollen types. In comparison with the series of books on the Northwest European Pollen Flora, a number of differences can be observed. The most noticeable are that the present pollen flora is concise and limited to one book, covers a greater part of the European territory, shows photographs at a lower magnification and is limited to light microscopy. This design certainly has its advantages. The present book is a very useful manual that will be welcomed by a broad audience of palynologists.

Four decades ago, Beug began his systematic studies of the European pollen flora, the results of which he aimed to publish in a series of publications. The first appeared in 1962 under the title 'Leitfaden der Pollenbestimmung. I' (Beug, 1961). Further volumes were never completed, as Beug had to devote a significant part of.his time to serve the central board of the University of Göttingen. The completion of this monumental work became possible after retirement from the position of director of the Institute for Palynology and Quaternary Sciences at the University of Göttingen.

Compiling a pollen morphological study of a complete floral region is a monumental task. The 'World list of Quaternary pollen and spore atlases, (Hooghiemstra and van Geel, 1998) shows that several floral regions have incomplete series of pollen morphological studies. In many cases, such work is beyond the lifetime of a single scientist. We know Professor Beug as a thorough worker who conducted his tasks in silence, with an inherent motivation and endurance. Over the last few years he has fully dedicated his energy to the completion of this study.

This manual is published in German, a language that is losing ground among the younger generation. Fortunately, pollen morphological terminology can easily be understood and the 120 plates offer a large number of high-quality photographs. Therefore palynologists who do not comprehend German, barely have an excuse for not using this book.

The book begins with an extensive description of the 'contents' of the 36 chapters (pages 7 to 20). The user is offered a first opportunity to learn to which degree genera can be identified. In a 'preface' the development of this study is put into a historical perspective which gives the reader an informative view of the development of this field in palaeoecology. In the 'introduction' chapter (pages 23 to 41), the user is offered a set of detailed instructions on the use of the key, which follows the widely accepted terminology of Faegri and Iversen. Each pollen class receives special attention in the next 30 chapters of this book (pages 41 to 506). In each of these pollen classes a 'key to the genera' offers much help by giving references to plate numbers and mentioning the page numbers where morphological descriptions can be found. Specialised 'keys to lower ranked identifications' (species, pollen types) lead the user to the final identification of the pollen grain. Pollen types which are difficult to identify receive additional attention. Possible deviations with results published in earlier pollen identification manuals are discussed and evaluated. All pollenmorphological groups are excellently illustrated with high-quality light microscope photographs, arranged over 120 full-page-sized plates. The book is completed with a list of general literature (Chapter 34), lists of literature specified for each family (Chapter 35), and a general register (Chapter 36).

The thorough elaboration of the pollen identification keys, the high quality of the plates, and the large number of illustrated pollen taxa makes this book a pleasure to read and use. The publisher should also receive a compliment for the high quality of book binding. Thanks to external financial support the price of this book is reasonable. Professional palynologists, and also PhD students may find it attractive to purchase a private copy. The book should be present in every academic department where pollen analysis on sediments of European origin is carried out. The book has also much to offer to palynologists working in other areas of the world, where taxa of the European flora do occur. The palynological community should be grateful that Professor Beug was able to finish this monumental work. I warmly recommend this new pollen identification manual which will be relevant to palynological research for several decades.

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