Functional traits of fossil plants

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 242(2), P. 392 - 423

Published: Feb. 26, 2024

A minuscule fraction of the Earth's paleobiological diversity is preserved in geological record as fossils. What plant remnants have withstood taphonomic filtering, fragmentation, and alteration their journey to become part fossil provide unique information on how plants functioned paleo-ecosystems through traits. Plant traits are measurable morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical, or phenological characteristics that potentially affect environment fitness. Here, we review rich literature paleobotany, lens contemporary trait-based ecology, evaluate which well-established extant hold greatest promise for application In particular, focus functional traits, those properties leaf, stem, reproductive, whole fossils offer insights into functioning when alive. The limitations a approach paleobotany considerable. However, our critical assessment over 30 present an initial, semi-quantitative ranking 26 paleo-functional based methodological criteria potential impact Earth system processes, be quantifiable. We demonstrate valuable inferences paleo-ecosystem processes (pollination biology, herbivory), past nutrient cycles, paleobiogeography, paleo-demography (life history), history can derived plants.

Language: Английский

Phytoliths from modern plants in the Canary Islands as a reference for the reconstruction of long-term vegetation change and culture-environment interactions

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(6), P. 705 - 723

Published: April 15, 2024

Abstract The Canary Islands were the first part of Macaronesian archipelago to have been settled by humans. various ways in which indigenous inhabitants and later European colonisers interacted with native endemic flora is a central topic for archaeologists, geographers ecologists. Floristic changes can be studied from phytoliths are plant microfossils high potential preservation sediment deposits they help reconstruct past life vegetation through time. However, there no comprehensive systematic study reference collection produced Islands, so far. To make start phytolith selection plants relevant socio-ecological interactions there, we processed over hundred modern specimens collected on islands Tenerife, Gran Canaria La Palma obtain them, using dry-ashing method. We then described morphologies, counted numbers morphotypes each species. categorised taxa according their concentration production diagnostic potential. Our results suggest that among selected taxa, species within Arecaceae, Boraginaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae Urticaceae families main producers archipelago. also identified particular Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cistaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Ranunculaceae Rubiaceae. discuss how assemblages interpreted archaeological sites records. growing significant step towards application analysis disentangle long-term climatic human-driven transformation this biodiversity hotspot, as well cultural use resources.

Language: Английский

Pollen morphological study and temperature effect on the pollen germination of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) varieties

Scientia Horticulturae, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 314, P. 111957 - 111957

Published: March 7, 2023

Language: Английский