Wetland vegetation from the miocene deposits of the Bełchatów lignite mine (Central Poland)

Abstract

Fossil plant remains (mainly leaves) of 18 species from the genera Acer, Alnus, Bet-ula, Carpinus, Carya, cf. Cercidiphyllum, Dicotylophyllum, Fagus, Gleditsia, Laria, Leguminophyllum, Myrica, Phragmites, Pinus, Potamogeton, and Sequoia were found in upper Miocene deposits of the Bełchatów Lignite Mine (Central Poland). The fossil assemblage KRAM-P 225 is dominated by plant remains of bottomland forest type riparian vegetation. Some taxa point to the presence of water body and mesophytic upland communities. The composition of the fossil plant assemblage suggests warm temperate and moderately wet climatic conditions, comparable to the Cfa climate type (warm temperate, fully humid with hot summer) in the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The mean annual temperature of 13.5°C–16.5°C was estimated by the coexistence approach method on the basis of plant macroremains. The deposits bearing these fossils are considered to be of latest middle Miocene to late Miocene age.