Long-distance pollen transport over the southern Tasman Sea: evidence from Macquarie Island

Abstract

Numerous exotic pollen and spore types occur in Holocene lake deposits on Macquarie Island. Most are con~idered to be derived from sources in the south-east Australian region. Myrtaceae pollen, which probably includes both Eucalyptus and Metrosideros, accounts for over 40% of the total exotic counts for 2 cores. Podocarpaceae, Phyllocladus, Casuarina, and Pomaderris are also present in significant proportions. Single records for Dacrydium cupressinum and Ascarina lucida, and the absence of Nothofagus “fusca” suggest that New Zealand pollen sources are relatively poorly represented. This find emphasises the need for caution when assessing the nature of the exotic pollen rain at sites on mainland New Zealand and surrounding islands.

Keywords:

• long-distance dispersal
• pollen
• palynology
• Holocene
• Macquarie Island
• south-eastern Australia
• Tasmania
• New Zealand