Quaternary palynologists often use palynology to investigate palaeoecological questions and to trace climatic and vegetation change. In North America, palynological information from many different sites is gradually being compiled into large electronic databases. To take full advantage of these new opportunities, modern palynologists need to have a good understanding of statistics and other computational methods, and require computer skills. The application of palynology to topical problems, such as biodiversity and Global Change, suggests that this will remain an exciting and viable field for some time. Fieldwork is an important part of palynology, as it is in all earth sciences, and a liking for the outdoors, including camping and hiking, are definite requirements.
Fieldwork can involve rough or uncomforable conditions.
Some palynologists may be involved in ocean-drilling projects, requiring them to spend time at sea. In Canadian Quaternary palynology, fieldwork often takes place in winter when it is relatively easy to core the mud at the bottom of the lake from the frozen lake surface. However, unlike many other branches of earth sciences, fieldwork forms a comparatively small amount of the time required by any palynological project. By far the majority of time is spent in the laboratory, processing samples, working at the microscope, and analyzing the data . Perhaps because of this emphasis on laboratory work, gender has not been such a great barrier to participation in palynology and the subject has attracted more female researchers than many other branches of earth science.