Preparation and Analysis of Testate Amoebae in Peatland Palaeoenvironmental Studies

Abstract

The use of testate amoebae in studies of peatland hydrology and palaeohydrology has been increasing, and considerable efforts have been made over the past decade to standardise techniques as much as possible. In this article we briefly describe the common procedures used to collect, prepare and analyse testate amoebae in peat-based studies of palaeohydrology and palaeoclimatology. Although specific methods are dependent on the questions and objectives of individual studies, the methods presented here should serve as a good starting point for peatland palaeoenvironmental applications.