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The relation between pollen deposition and phytosociology of 11 plant communities on the island of Ceann Ear, Monach Isles, has been studied. The relation of the phytosociology (frequency, Domin rating) of each community to the pollen analysis of a sample within it is described and the recognition of each community by its pollen spectrum is discussed. The representation of each pollen taxon in the pollen analyses in relation to the flora is tabulated, resulting in a classification of types of representation, from widespread to local to absent. The minimum percentage of pollen of off-island taxa is low (1.6%), over half being long-distance transport of Betula and Pinus. 'The frequency of off-island pollen is considered in relation to the frequency of community and out-community pollen, and various features of a plant community are suggested as possible factors in determining the relationship: height of vegetation, exposure, rate of local pollen deposition and the nature of the material trapping pollen. The significance of the results for the interpretation of fossil pollen spectra with high non-tree pollen frequencies (cold stages, post-Mesolithic clearances) is considered in relation to the reflection of a mosaic of plant communities and of regional plant communities in the pollen rain, to long-distance pollen transport and to grazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]