Fine resolution pollen analysis arises out of attempts to bridge the gap in time scale that has separated palaeoecology from field ecology. It refers to studies in which the time interval represented by the spacing of adjacent sediment samples is significantly smaller than in 'traditional' Quaternary pollen analysis. Such studies are justified by the greater richness and reliability of insights obtainable; some studies have achieved single-year resolution in laminated lakes, peat swamps and manmade reservoirs. Systematic interpretation of fine resolution pollen records includes sequence-splitting, process modelling and time series analysis; guidelines to these techniques are presented. Fine resolution studies have contributed to our understanding of major ecological processes, such as fire, and of the impact of human activity on plant communities.