VSF 2010 Report - Nabo

Methodology
Site Selection and Sampling
Given the depth of peat and therefore suitability for pollen preservation the wet meadow was
selected for analysis. Preliminary investigations were carried out within the meadow to locate
an appropriate peat deposit for extraction of a representative core; a 2.5cm internal diameter
Eijkelkamp gouge was used to survey peat depths and stratigraphy across two transects of the
meadow, sampling at 20 m intervals. Due to the modern addition of drainage ditches on the
farm peat preservation was variable and the sample site (Figure 1) was selected based upon
its good preservation status and representative peat depth.
A vertical peat core (6-43 cm) was directly extracted using plastic guttering, wrapped
in polythene to prevent water loss and contamination and labelled accordingly before
shipment to the cold stores at the University of Stirling, where it was kept at a temperature of
4 o C until required for sub-sampling.
Figure 1. Homefield map detailing the pollen sample site (red) and showing approximate extent of the peat
accumulation (blue oval).
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