The Miocene peat-forming vegetation of northwestern Germany: an analysis of wood remains and comparison with previous palynological interpretations

Figueiral, I., Mosbrugger, V., Rowe, N. P., Ashraf, A., Utescher, T. and Jones, Timothy Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4466-1260 1999. The Miocene peat-forming vegetation of northwestern Germany: an analysis of wood remains and comparison with previous palynological interpretations. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 104 (3-4) , pp. 239-266. 10.1016/S0034-6667(98)00059-1

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Abstract

New methods of sampling, preparing and identifying fossil wood fragments preserved in browncoal are presented and used to aid in reconstructions of the vegetation from the Miocene Lower Rhine Basin (Germany). The technique involves laboratory charring wood specimens followed by routine identification with reflected light microscopy. Problems concerning the taxonomic identification of the fossil wood are discussed. A list of taxa is presented for the Garzweiler Seam and the implications for reconstructing the Miocene palaeoenvironment are discussed with reference to ecological comparisons of extant taxa: the nearest living relative approach. Results indicate a dominance of conifer wood types, mostly representing members of the Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae; extensive sampling is required of both small (macroscopic) and large fragments to obtain results comparable with palynological assemblages. Up to now, twenty-one taxa of gymnosperms and angiosperms have been recognized from the Garzweiler seam. Data obtained are compared with those from pollen analysis and corroborate the previously identified trend consisting of increasing concentrations of Taxodium towards the upper section of the seam.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > Q Science (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Lower Rhine Basin; Miocene; palaeoenvironment; fossil wood; charcoal; palynology
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0034-6667
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2022 09:42
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/21887

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