Figure 2: Graphical depiction of the workflow of a study involving DNA-based pollen identification. Prior to starting the study, decisions need to be made on: (1) the method to obtain pollen from the environment, e.g., from (a) a pollinator’s body, (b) nest, or (c) the air; (2) the gene regions and methods to create the reference database; (3) the appropriate method for the isolation and sequencing of DNA; and (4) the bioinformatics methods to be used. These decisions will depend on the questions, the study system, the availability of existing reference sequences, and the funding.