A ready-to-use version of the Eurasian modern pollen database 2 (EMPD 2; Davis et al., 2020) for paleoclimatic reconstructions

Pollen-based paleoclimatic reconstructions based on calibration or analogue techniques require large collections of modern pollen samples, which together contain a very high number of pollen taxa. For paleoclimate reconstructions, however, the number of taxa needs to be reduced so the taxonomical resolution of modern and fossil pollen samples can be compatible. Version 2 of the Eurasian modern pollen database (EMPD2) (Davis et al., 2020) is the largest compilation of modern pollen samples covering these regions and comprises 840 pollen taxa. However, it cannot be used easily without homogenizing the taxonomic entities by grouping at genus or family levels or discarding certain rare taxa. This task is essential but time-consuming. Here, we present a ready-to-use homogenized version of the EMPD2 that comprises 90 pollen taxa, and which is adapted for paleoclimatic reconstructions in the Eurasian region.