Preface xiii The Editors xiv Aims & Scope of Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research Book Series xv Editors and Board of Advisors of Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research Book Series xvi Contents of Volumes 1 to 4 xvii Safety Considerations and Caution xx List of Contributors xxi Using biology to study long-term environmental change 1(4) John P. Smol H. John B. Birks William M. Last References Pollen 5(28) K.D. Bennett K.J. Willis Introduction Where is pollen found? Extraction from sediments Identification Data-handling Presentation of results Data analysis Interpretation Summary Acknowledgements References Conifer stomata 33(16) G. M. MacDonald Introduction Preparation, counting, identification and analysis Comparison of stomata and pollen from modern lake sediments Stomata and pollen records from lake sediment cores Summary Acknowledgments References Plant macrofossils 49(26) H.H. Birks Introduction Brief history Outline of methods Indicator potential Uses of plant macrofossils in palaeolimnology Summary Acknowledgements Appendix 1 References Charcoal as a fire proxy 75(24) C. Whitlock C. Larsen Introduction Charcoal production, transport, and deposition Site selection Chronology issues Methods Interpretation of charcoal records Conclusions Summary Acknowledgments References Non-pollen palynomorphs 99(22) B. van Geel Introduction Methods used Indicator potential and applications of a selection of non-pollen palynomorphs Conclusions and future directions Summary Acknowledgements References Protozoa: testate amoebae 121(34) L. Beyens R. Meisterfeld Introduction Methods Applications Other protozoa Conclusions and future directions Summary Acknowledgements References Diatoms 155(48) R. W. Battarbee V.J. Jones R.J. Flower N.G. Cameron H. Bennion L. Carvalho S. Juggins Introduction Biology Distribution and ecology Taphonomy and preservation Field sampling and coring Laboratory procedures Data analysis and interpretation Summary Acknowledgements References Chrysophyte scales and cysts 203(22) B.A. Zeeb J.P. Smol Introduction Taxonomy and nomenclature Methods Paleolimnological applications Future research directions Summary Acknowledgements References Ebridians 225(10) A. Korhola J. P. Smol Introduction Morphology, taxonomy and preservation in the sediments Methodological aspects Brief history of use of ebridians in palaeoecological research Indicator value and future research priorities Summary Acknowledgements References Phytoliths 235(18) D.R. Piperno Introduction and history Phytolith production and taxonomy Laboratory methods Applications of phytolith analysis in lake sediments Summary of the major results Other potential applications of phytoliths in lake sediments Summary Acknowledgments References Freshwater sponges 253(12) T. M. Frost Introduction Sponge species and their distribution Sponge life history Sponge spicules Paleolimnological studies using freshwater sponges Techniques for assessing sponge spicules in sediments Future applications of sponges in paleolimnology Summary Acknowledgements References Siliceous protozoan plates and scales 265(16) M.S.V. Douglas J.P. Smol Introduction History and taxonomy Ecology Paleoecological potential Laboratory methods Data presentation Paleolimnological applications Other related siliceous indicators Summary Acknowledgements References Biogenic silica 281(14) D.J. Conley C.L. Schelske Introduction and history Methods Applications Future directions Summary Acknowledgements References Sedimentary pigments 295(32) P.R. Leavitt D.A. Hodgson Introduction Pigments in lake sediments Sediment collection, transportation and storage Extraction of sedimentary pigments Isolation of pigments Pigment identification Identification of pigments using mass spectrometry Conclusions Summary Acknowledgements References Glossary, Acronyms and Abbreviations 327(34) Index 361