Other more contemporary applications of pollen and spores are worth mentioning. Environmental studies widely make use of pollen to study the effects of human activity. For example, since pollen is well preserved, it can be used as an analogy to determine the flow pattern of airborne pollutants.

Picture of a Crime Scene

Another recent application of pollen and spores is in the forensic sciences. Specific assemblages of pollen can be used to interpret a possible geographic origin or can link an individual or item with the scene of a crime.