Early Miocene vegetation at Kapuka, Southland, New Zealand : a study based on pollen analysis of a coal seam

Pollen and spore assemblages from a coal seam of early Miocene age are described. A pollen diagram has been compiled for the most abundant taxa and this has been zoned on the basis of percentage changes of the major pollen types. During the history of the developing coal swamp the coal vegetation has changed due to variation in the height of the water table. A low water table in the early stages (Zone 1) of development resulted in a raised swamp enviroment in which vegetation was able to flourish. This vegetation was well-represented and at the times over-represented in the pollen rain.