Trapping pollen in the tropics - Comparing modern pollen rain spectra of different pollen traps and surface samples across Andean vegetation zones

► We compared pollen spectra of 3 trap types and soil samples in 4 vegetation types. ► All studied four vegetation types have distinct pollen rain spectra. ► All trap types as well as the soil samples are useful pollen sampling media. ► In the soil samples, taxa with a fragile exine are less represented. ► For pollen rain collection from open vegetation, Behling traps are a good choice.