Abstract
The problems of establishing a taxonomic, stratigraphic, and climatic framework required to understand the Arctotertiary floras are highlighted by a review of Palaeogene floras in Spitsbergen. A recent revision of angiosperm floras dated as Early Palaeocene, Early Eocene, and Late Eocene, respectively, shows a remarkable degree of homogeneity. The floras from Spitsbergen have in the past been used for correlation and dating of other Arctic floras in want of independent biostratigraphic control, but the revision shows that the Spitsbergen assemblages offer poor stratigraphic resolution within the Palaeocene-Eocene. The apparent homogeneity of three angiosperm leaf floras of approximately 65, 55, and +35 Ma respectively, signals no dramatic difference in the climatic regimes in the Arctic at these three times.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Andrews H.N. (1961) Studies in paleobotany. Wiley and Sons, New York.
Barron E.J., Harrison C.G.A., Sloan J.L. and Hay W.W. (1981) Paleogeography, 180 million years ago to the present. Eclogae geol. Helv. 74: 443–470.
Boulter M.C. (1984) Palaeobotanical evidence for land-surface temperature in the European Palaeogene. Fossils and climate: 35–47. Wiley and Sons, Chichester.
Boyd A. (1990) The Thyra O flora: Toward an understanding of the climate and vegetation during the early Tertiary in the high Arctic. Rev. of Palaeobot. and Palynogy. 62: 189–203.
Budantsev L.J. (1983) Istoria arkticeoskojflory epoci rannego kajnofita. Nauka, Leningrad. Head M. (1984) A palynological investigation of Tertiaiy strata at Renardodden, W. Spitsbergen. Ab sir. 6th Intern. Palyn. Conf. Calgary 61.
Heer O. (1868) Flora fossilis arctica I. Die fossile Flora der Polarländer enthaltend die in Nordgrönland, auf der Melville-Insel, im Banksland, am Mackenzie, in Island und in Spitzbergen entdeckten fossilen Pflanzen. Zürich.
Heer O. (1870) Die miocene Flora und Fauna Spitzbergens. KSv Vetensk. Äkad. Handl. 8.
Heer O. (1876) Flora fossilis arctica 4.1. Beiträge zur fossilen Flora Spitzbergens. K Sv Vetensk. Akad. Handl.
Krutzsch W. (1992) Paläobotanische Klimagliederung des Alttertiärs (Mitteleozän bis Ober-oligozän) in Mitteldeutschland und das Problem der Verknüpfung mariner und kontinentaler Gliederungen (klassische Biostratigraphien - paläobotanisch-ökologische Klimastratigraphie - Evolutions-Stratigraphie der Vertebraten). NJb Geol. Paläont. Abh 186: 137–253.
KvaSek Z., Manum, S.B. and Boulter M.C. (1994) Angiosperms from the Palaeogene of Spitsbergen, including an unfinished work by A.G. Nathorst. Palaeontographica B 232: 103–128.
Mai D.H. (1989) Development and regional differentiation of the European vegetation during the Tertiary. Plant. Syst. Evol. 162: 79–91.
Manum S.B. (1954) Pollen and spores in Tertiary coal from West Spitsbergen. Blyttia 12: 1–10 [in Norwegian].
Manum S.B. (1962) Studies in the Tertiary flora of Spitsbergen, with notes on Tertiary floras of Ellesmere Island, Greenland, and Iceland. Norsk. Polarinst. Skr. 125.
Manum S.B. and Throndsen T. (1986) Age of Tertiary formations on Spitsbergen. Polar. Res. 4: 103–134.
Nathorst A.G. (1910) Beiträge zur Geologie der Bäreninsel, Spitzbergens und des König- Karl-Landes. Bull. Geol Inst. Upsala 10: 261–416.
Schloemer-Jäger A. (1958) Alttertiäre Pflanzen aus Flözen der Brögger-Halbinsel Spitzbergens. Palaeontographica B 104: 39–103.
Schweitzer H.J. (1980) Environment and climate in the Early Tertiary of Spitsbergen. Palaeogeog. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol 30: 297–311.
Zastawniak E. (1981) Tertiary plant remains from Kaffiöyra and Sarsöyra, Forlandsundet, Spitsbergen. Stud. Geol Pol 73: 37–42.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Manum, S.B. (1994). The Palaeogene Flora of Spitsbergen: Implications for Arctotertiary Climatostratigraphy. In: Boulter, M.C., Fisher, H.C. (eds) Cenozoic Plants and Climates of the Arctic. NATO ASI Series, vol 27. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79378-3_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79378-3_15
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-79380-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-79378-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive