The database comprises 10 excel files. The file "Nichols and Stolze_Vegetation 1972-73.xlsx" contains the vegetation observations from the 34 sampling sites which spanned ecosystems from the arctic tree-line to the high arctic in 1972-73. The additional nine xlsx files report two years of pollen data from Tauber (TAU) and Tuffy (TFY) static samplers and from living moss and lichen polsters (POL). Pollen numbers are given for standard counts. Some samples were only scanned for rare pollen types and their presence is noted as "SCAN" in the original xlsx workbooks and as "#1" in the uploaded datasets.The pollen data from the Tauber and Tuffy samplers (TAU&TFY) are presented in four xlsx files. All pollen data files include site and sample information and a letter code for the documented pollen types. "Nichols and Stolze_TAU&TFY_Count Data.xlsx" records the pollen counts at pollen sum 1, pollen sum 2, and pollen sum 3. "Nichols and Stolze_TAU&TFY_Percentage Data.xlsx" gives the percentage data for pollen sum 1, pollen sum 2, and pollen sum 3. The percentage calculation is based on a pollen sum excluding local palynomorphs which may be over-represented: Cyperaceae, Ericaceae, Filipendula, Lycopodium clavatum, Lycopodium selago, Polypodium, Pteridium, Selago, and Sphagnum. "Nichols and Stolze_TAU&TFY_Absolute Data.xlsx" provides the absolute pollen data as absolute numbers/pre-treated sample and absolute numbers/cm2 for the final pollen sum. The datasheets include information for the calculation of the absolute values and the equations are given in the data descriptor prepared for Scientific Data. "Nichols and Stolze_TAU&TFY_SPIN&SPIC Data.xlsx" gives the absolute data per trap and per cm2 for Pinus and Picea pollen. For this method, the Pinus and Picea pollen of an entire slide were recorded. Data for calculation of the absolute values are also given, with equations for the calculation of the absolute data and description of the method in the data descriptor. The moss and lichen pollen data are presented in five excel files. The count data obtained at pollen sum 1, pollen sum 2, and pollen sum 3 are given in "Nichols and Stolze_POL_Count Data.xlsx". "Nichols and Stolze_POL_Percentage Data.xlsx" gives the percentage data at pollen sum 1, pollen sum 2, and pollen sum 3. Once again, the percentage calculation is based on a pollen sum excluding Cyperaceae, Ericaceae, Filipendula, Lycopodium clavatum, Lycopodium selago, Polypodium, Pteridium, Selago, and Sphagnum. "Nichols and Stolze_POL_Absolute Data.xlsx" provides the absolute pollen data (abs/g dry weight) for the final pollen sum. The absolute data for Pinus and Picea pollen (abs/g dry weight) recorded by counting an entire pollen slide (see above) are given in "Nichols and Stolze_POL_SPIN&SPIC Data.xlsx". "Nichols and Stolze_POL_Sample Recovery Data.xlsx" records the degree (percentage) of sample recovery. Calculations are based on the numbers of exotic Lycopodium spores added to each sample and counted per microscope slide. All files reporting absolute data and the recovery factor for polster samples contain information required for the calculations; the equations are given in the data descriptor prepared for Scientific Data.