Instructors: K. Kouli; E. Stathopoulou; E. Fatourou 

Invited lectures:
Gil Machado
– Industrial uses of Biostratigraphy: fossil groups, applications and limitations / Industrial uses of Biostratigraphy: pollen and spores, applications and limitations
– New technologies applied to Biostratigraphy: Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence / New technologies applied to Biostratigraphy: Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence for paleoecological studies

SEMESTER: 2nd  

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

The course deals with the study of pollen, spores and all other palynomorphs of terrestrial origin (e.g. fungal, algal or animal microremains) and offers insights into their morphology, taxonomy, biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental significance. The aim is provide students with the practical skills to microsopically analyze pollen/spores and fungal remains and apply statistical modelling for the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate.

CONTENT:  

Theoretical content (lectures). 

• Plant biology, evolution, biogeography, fossil plant remains 

• Pollen analysis: introduction, brief history, terminology, microscopy methodology 

• Pollen and spores: morphology, Taxonomy, optical and electron microscopy, identification methods. 

• Pollen rain, pollen dispersal and deposition, pollen preservation, Aeropalynology seasonal variations, air quality. Basic principles of Melissopalynology 

• Non pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) from terrestrial depositional environments: fungal, plant, animal remains, palynodebris, morphology, identification, paleoecologigal significance  

• Palynological data handling: large palynological databases, palynological diagrams, stratigraphic correlations. 

• Statistical analysis and interpretation of palynological assemblages, vegetation reconstruction methods, Paleoclimate applications and modeling, paleoenvironmental applications. 

• Paleoecology, biostratigraphy, correlations of terrestrial deposits. 

 

 Β. Practical exercises: 

• Palynological processing laboratory techniques 

• Comprehensive microscope lab sessions 

• Quantitative methods and data statistical treatment 

• Quantitative environmental reconstructions  

• Biostratigraphic exercises and hands-on applications 

 

BREAKDOWN OF WORKLOAD  

Activity	Semester Workload (hours)
Face to face (in lectures and practical exercises)	39
Using computers, tablets, smartphones and specialized software (in lectures and practice exercises)	10
Practical exercises (laboratory, microscope)	39
Questions and Answers	10
Homework – includes preparation for final examinations.	27
Total	125

STUDENT EVALUATION/GRADING 

The evaluation process is conducted in English, either with progress in separate sections of the material or with the final examination of the whole material and includes: 

I. LECTURES (50%)  

• Oral Examination and/or 

• Written exam with short answer questions and Multiple choice test and/or 

• Written examination with extended answer questions and/or  

• Scientific presentation in a specific topic related to the subject of the course  

II. PRACTICAL EXERCISES (50%) 

• Written examination with exercises and problem solving 

 

SUGGESTED LITERATURE 

• Faegri K., Iversen J. 1989. Textbook of pollen analysis. John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0-471 92178-5 

• Traverse A. 2007. Paleopalynology. Springer Ed ISBN 978-1-4020-5609-3 

• Marret F., O’Keefe J., Shumilovskikh L., Pound M., Osterloff P. 2021. Applications of Non-pollen Palynomorphs: From Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions to Biostratigraphy. Geological Society. ISBN 978-17-862-0541-4 

• Shumilovskikh L.S., Shumilovskikh E.S., Schlütz F., van Geel B. 2022. NPP-ID – Non-Pollen Palynomorphs Image Database as a research and educational platform. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 31, 323-328. DOI: 10.1007/s00334-021-00849-8. https://non-pollen-palynomorphs.uni-goettingen.de/index.html 

 

SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS: 

• Review of Paleobotany and Palynology 

• Palynology 

• Micropaleontology 

• Revue de Micropaleontologie 

• Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology 

 

Website: 

https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/GEOL651/