Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology最新文献

{"title":"Skolithos piperock from the Lower Devonian storm beds","authors":"Daniel Sedorko ,&nbsp;Dirk Knaust ,&nbsp;Marcelo Nery Junior ,&nbsp;Gabriel Eduardo Barea de Barros ,&nbsp;Victor Ribeiro ,&nbsp;Felipe Nascimento Sousa ,&nbsp;Renato Pirani Ghilardi ,&nbsp;Leonardo Borghi","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112604","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112604","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Skolithos</em> piperock is prevalent in Cambrian shallow marine deposits but diminishes throughout the Paleozoic. This study reports an interval with <em>Skolithos</em> piperock from the upper Furnas Formation (Lower Devonian), offering insights into the paleoenvironmental interpretation of nearshore sandstones. The studied section comprises eight sedimentary facies, transitioning from sandstone-dominated intervals indicative of nearshore environments to siltstone and mudstone facies representing lower energy transitional offshore conditions. Trace fossils are grouped into six ichnocoenoses, reflecting varying depositional settings from proximal to distal in the coastal zone. Notable shifts in ichnocoenosis composition, particularly the transition from <em>Skolithos</em> piperock to the <em>Asterosoma</em> ichnocoenosis, mark stratigraphic boundaries and highlight a transgressive trend between the Furnas and Ponta Grossa formations. The identification of <em>Skolithos</em> piperock provides evidence of storm-generated deposits and reworking activities, which can be applied to basin-scale correlations. This occurrence of a <em>Skolithos</em> piperock is interpreted as the result of several erosive processes triggered by storms, generating a time-averaged ichnoassemblage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112604"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sedimentary provenance and paleogeographic environment of a Mississippian coal-bearing unit in South China: Constraints from detrital zircon U-Pb ages and sedimentologic and geochemical evidence","authors":"Yuliang Mu,&nbsp;Rongsong Tian,&nbsp;Yong Fu,&nbsp;Li Yang,&nbsp;Jiang Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Mississippian Xiangbai Formation in South China is one of the oldest coal-bearing sedimentary units in China. However, the sedimentary provenance, paleogeography, and coal formation patterns of the coal-bearing strata are not well constrained. We address this key issue by using a combination of detrital zircon U-Pb data, geochemical analyses of mudstone and shale, drilling data, and geologic field observations. With the exception of the early Paleozoic orogenic events (ca. 440–420 Ma) in the eastern part of the study area, the samples from the Xiangbai Formation exhibit similar detrital zircon U-Pb age distribution with major age peaks at ca. 980–960 Ma and several subordinate age peaks at ca. 800–780 and 600–500 Ma. These detrital zircon grains mainly originated from recycled sedimentary units. Field and drilling data reveal that the Xiangbai Formation was formed in a tidal flat environment with water depth gradually increasing from the bottom to the top, indicating an overall trend of transgression. The Mississippian Xiangbai Formation was deposited in an interglacial period. The Lower Xiangbai Formation was deposited in a relatively cold paleoclimate, gradually transitioning upwards to a warm and humid climate, creating favorable conditions for coal formation. The alternation of warming and cooling climates triggered high-frequency eustatic fluctuations, which led to multiple sedimentary cycles and resulted in thin, unstable coal seams within the Xiangbai Formation. Mississippian sedimentary paleogeography, palaeoclimate, and sedimentary provenance together dominate the coal-bearing clastic sediments in southwestern South China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112605"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Paleoenvironmental evolution and East Asian monsoon records through three stages of paleochannels since the mid-pleistocene in the Western Bohai Sea, North China","authors":"Shuyu Wu ,&nbsp;Jun Liu ,&nbsp;Hongxian Chu ,&nbsp;Yongcai Feng ,&nbsp;Meiling Yin ,&nbsp;Lixin Pei","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three stages of paleochannels development, dating back to the Mid-Pleistocene, have been identified in the western Bohai Sea (BS) region. However, the factors controlling their sedimentary formation remain unclear. This study analyzed samples from DZQ01 and adjacent boreholes to establish a chronological framework through AMS ¹⁴C and OSL dating, complemented by grain size and geochemical analyses. End-member analysis using the Generalized Weibull method successfully separated three components: EM1, EM2, and EM3. EM3 (&lt;26.28 μm) reflects the influence of the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM), while EM2 (26.28–105.1 μm) is indicative of the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM). Geochemical indicators, such as the Rb/Sr ratio, reflect the impact of paleoclimatic changes. This study identified five major glaciation events since the Mid-Pleistocene. The DU6 unit recorded two glacial stages (300–272 cal. ka B.P.), characterized by a weakened EASM and a stronger EAWM. Similarly, the DU4 unit recorded two glacial stages (165–127 cal. ka B.P.), also marked by a subdued EASM and an enhanced EAWM. The DU2 unit reflects a prolonged glacial stages (71–14 cal. ka B.P.), dominated by the EAWM, resulting in cold and dry conditions. Overall, the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and sea-level fluctuation significantly influenced the formation and evolution of paleochannels, with the sedimentary characteristics closely tied to the intensities of the East Asian Monsoon (EAM).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112603"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Late Neogene monsoonal climate in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau revealed by leaf physiognomy evidence","authors":"Zhuo-Er Wang ,&nbsp;Gui-Hua Chen ,&nbsp;Rui Cao ,&nbsp;Zhi-Hui Song ,&nbsp;Zhao-Shuai Wang ,&nbsp;Huai Wang ,&nbsp;Su-Ting Ding ,&nbsp;Jing-Yu Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112583","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112583","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Four fossil leaf assemblages from the Late Miocene to the early Late Pliocene of the Tengchong-Lianghe region, western Yunnan, China, are subjected to the Climate-Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP) and Leaf Margin Analysis (LMA) and compared with other late Neogene fossil flora from the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP) and the eastern Himalayan foreland basins to reconstruct paleoclimate and capture ancient monsoon signature. The CLAMP-derived mean annual temperature (MAT) for the Late Neogene in Tengchong-Lianghe range from 17.9 ± 2.3 °C to 21.0 ± 2.3 °C, with the Early Pliocene being the warmest period, while the growing season precipitation (GSP) range from 1905 ± 481 mm to 2006 ± 481 mm with minimal change over time. The CLAMP and LMA results indicate a warmer and wetter climate in the late Neogene of the SEMTP and suggest that the paleoclimate in western Yunnan from the Late Miocene to early Late Pliocene was primarily influenced by global climate evolution rather than topographic changes. CLAMP results indicate that the modern pattern of the Asian Monsoon was established at least by the Late Miocene, though precipitation seasonality in the late Neogene of the SEMTP was weaker than today, likely attributed to the intensification of the East Asian Winter Monsoon driven by global cooling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112583"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reconstruction of hydroclimate variability in southern Laos from 1885 to 2019 based on Pinus latteri tree-ring data","authors":"Nakhonekham Xaybouangeun ,&nbsp;Zaw Zaw ,&nbsp;Rao-Qiong Yang ,&nbsp;Shankar Panthi ,&nbsp;Dao-Xiong Gao ,&nbsp;Viengsy Paothor ,&nbsp;Ze-Xin Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The climate of Southeast Asia is influenced by the Asian monsoon systems, and inter-annual hydroclimate variability exerts a significant impact on forest ecosystems and agricultural productivity in this region. To improve our understanding of long-term drought variability, this study established ring-width chronologies for <em>Pinus latteri</em> trees at three sites in southern Laos. Site chronologies show negative correlations with temperature and positive correlations with precipitation, the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI), and the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) during the dry and wet months. The regional composite chronology shows the strongest correlation (<em>r</em> = 0.657, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) with SPEI during March–August, indicating that the radial growth of <em>P. latteri</em> in southern Laos is primarily influenced by moisture conditions during the dry-to-wet season. A well-calibrated regression model was employed to reconstruct the variability of March–August SPEI for the period 1885–2019, explaining 43.1 % of the observed SPEI variance during the calibration period 1960–2019. The reconstruction records inter-annual to decadal-scale drought variability in southern Laos including eleven extreme dry years and seven extreme wet years. Notably, the frequency of extreme dry and wet events has increased since the 1970s. The reconstruction shows spectral peaks with periodicities of 2.3–3.1 years and displays negative correlations with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans, indicating that hydroclimatic variations in southern Laos are driven by large-scale ocean-atmospheric circulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112595"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ammonites as paleothermometers: Isotopically reconstructed temperatures of the Western Interior Seaway track global records","authors":"Jessie R.C. McCraw ,&nbsp;Thomas S. Tobin ,&nbsp;J. Kirk Cochran ,&nbsp;Neil H. Landman","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ammonites are externally shelled cephalopods that were common in the North American Western Interior Seaway (WIS), and as they grew their aragonitic shells via accretion, they recorded aspects of their environment in the stable isotopic composition of their shells. While the mobility of ammonites may complicate efforts to reconstruct temperatures from their shells, they remain a potentially valuable target for paleothermometry. In this study, we reconstruct the spatial and temporal variability of WIS temperatures using a suite of ammonites (<em>n</em> = 113) spanning the last 25 million years of the Cretaceous along a North-South gradient ranging from the Canadian WIS to the Mississippi Embayment. We present a temporally high-resolution (∼0.6 Ma) oxygen isotope record from these ammonites that indicates cooling temperatures in the WIS of comparable magnitude (∼18 °C +/‐− 4°) to the temperature change seen in global studies, most notably cooling from the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum in the Turonian until the late Maastrichtian. Studies disagree regarding the development and strength of a latitudinal (pole-to-equator) temperature gradient during the Cretaceous; we do not see strong evidence for a latitudinal temperature gradient in the WIS. We do not observe any bias driven by ammonite morphology in our isotopic data, though we suggest that researchers consider the effects of taxonomy and ecological bias on their temperature records. As our ammonite δ¹⁸O record matches the direction and magnitude of global temperature reconstructions, our data imply that ammonites are viable targets for paleothermometry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112594"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of climate on the emergence of giant caimanines (Crocodylia, Alligatoroidea) from the Miocene western Amazonian region","authors":"Ana Laura S. Paiva ,&nbsp;Pedro L. Godoy ,&nbsp;Emma M. Dunne ,&nbsp;Alexander Farnsworth ,&nbsp;Paul J. Valdes ,&nbsp;Daniel J. Lunt ,&nbsp;Wilfried Klein ,&nbsp;Max C. Langer ,&nbsp;Annie S. Hsiou","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112582","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112582","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extant caimanines include the six modern species of caimans, which occur predominantly in South and Central America and are mostly medium-sized crocodylians. Nevertheless, the fossil record of the group reveals a significantly higher diversity, with remarkable body size variation. In particular, the giants <em>Purussaurus</em> and <em>Mourasuchus</em>, from the Miocene western Amazonian region, are two of the most prominent representatives. Previous work has demonstrated a correlation between the body size of crocodylians and abiotic factors throughout the Cenozoic; however, this relationship is poorly understood, particularly within the Caimaninae lineage. Here, we explore evolutionary body size patterns within Caimaninae, investigating the potential influence of climatic factors. Using a phylogenetically-informed method, we estimated the body size of 33 caimanine specimens, coupled with climatic variables from a General Circulation Model to reconstruct deep-time patterns. Our results indicate that giant Miocene caimanines are restricted to warmer conditions, with significantly less seasonal temperature variation. This suggests that the unmatching climatic conditions of the Miocene western Amazonian region possibly allowed the emergence of unique palaeoecosystems, favouring the sustenance of these very large crocodylians.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112582"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improved chronostratigraphy and fine-tuned timing for Late Triassic palaeoenvironmental changes in SW Britain using coupled magnetic polarity and carbon isotope stratigraphy","authors":"Mark W. Hounslow ,&nbsp;Julian E. Andrews","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the synchronicity of global climatic, environmental, and biotic events around the Norian-Rhaetian boundary (NRB) is problematic because of major international differences in biochronology. We instead use magnetostratigraphic and global carbon isotopic changes to produce more precise global correlation. This work focusses on the base and top of the Rhaetian, with principal age control from a new late Norian to latest Rhaetian magnetostratigraphy from Lavernock (southern Wales) which can be directly correlated to the proposed NRB sections at Pignola Abriola (Italy) and Steinbergkogel (Austria). A disconformity exists in the Lavernock section in its late Norian part (Branscombe Mudstone Formation), but the NRB interval is largely complete. The magnetostratigraphy and a composite δ¹³C_org stratigraphy from three British sections, demonstrate synchronous changes in both terrestrial and marine records. This analysis indicates the older proposed definition of the NRB from Steinbergkogel is in the upper few metres of the Branscombe Mudstone Formation, while the younger NRB definition from Pignola Abriola is in the upper parts of the Blue Anchor Formation. The latest Rhaetian magnetostratigraphy from Lavernock records reverse magnetochrons UT26r and UT28r which closely pre-date and post-date the widely recognised Marshi and Spelae carbon isotope excursions, respectively. Magnetochrons UT28r and UT27r were previously recognised at St Audrie's Bay (SW England), with relationships to the Newark Supergroup which tightly constrain the first phase of CAMP eruptions to overlap the Spelae excursion. The carbon isotope excursions present in the Blue Anchor Formation lacustrine successions, demonstrate the likely atmospheric, and global spread of these perturbations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112579"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The “Lochkovian-Pragian Event” re-assessed: New data from the low latitude shelf of peri-Gondwana","authors":"Carlo Corradini ,&nbsp;Maria G. Corriga ,&nbsp;Monica Pondrelli ,&nbsp;Amalia Spina ,&nbsp;Thomas J. Suttner","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112580","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112580","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the late Lochkovian a regression is documented in several areas of the world, followed by a transgression in the early Pragian. Connected with the eustatic variation, a minor extinction event occurred (“Lochkovian-Pragian Event”), affecting several fossil groups, a strong reduction of carbonate production and sedimentary facies changes. The Carnic Alps are a key area for studying this event, because Lower Devonian rocks are widely exposed, representing diverse sedimentary environments from shallow water to relatively deep shelf. Fourteen sections were measured along the Carnic Alps across the Lochkovian-Pragian boundary. In the shallower part of the basin, both the Polinik and the Seekopf formations span the boundary, but evident erosional surfaces are observable in the field at the Lochkovian-Pragian boundary. Above the unconformity, at places the so-called megaclast horizon is present in the Seekopf Formation. In intermediate settings the Rauchkofel Fm. is unconfomably followed by the Kellerwand Fm., and different parts of the upper Lochkovian and lower Pragian are missing in the various sections. In the deeper parts of the basin the transition from the La Valute Fm. to the Findenig Fm. is slightly diachronous from the latest Lochkovian to the earliest Pragian; however, conodonts and tentaculitids are rare in the marly boundary beds, preventing a precise chronostratigraphic calibration of these levels. At places, evidence of subaerial exposure at the formational boundary is documented. In general, the hiatus seems to be larger in the western part of the Carnic Alps, in correspondence with the shallower parts of the succession, suggesting a sea level drop in the late Lochkovian, followed by a transgression in the Pragian. Data from the Carnic Alps are compared with those of other regions of North Gondwana to demonstrate that the sea-level variation at the Lochkovian-Pragian boundary are of global importance</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"656 ","pages":"Article 112580"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytolith-reconstructed Holocene vegetation dynamics from a subalpine peat deposit in the mid-subtropical zone of China","authors":"Lidan Liu ,&nbsp;Hengyu Liu ,&nbsp;Zhiguo Rao ,&nbsp;Chao Huang ,&nbsp;Lin Zhao ,&nbsp;Yunxia Li","doi":"10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111861","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>With the improvements in our knowledge of the phytolith morphology of different Poaceae subfamilies and even different species, phytolith records in paleosols provide valuable information on past vegetation in situ, especially for herbaceous plants. Nevertheless, the reliability of phytolith records for the reconstruction of forest vegetation needs to be further verified, and it needs to be assessed before they can be used in palaeoecological contexts. In this study we analyzed the topsoil phytolith assemblages of 39 sampling sites and established a modern soil phytolith reference dataset for five plant communities in the mid-subtropical zone of China. We then used the phytolith reference dataset to analyze a stratigraphic sequence of fossil phytolith assemblages from the same region. The results show that the topsoil phytolith assemblages and phytolith indices (Ic and Iph) vary substantially among different plant communities, and that there is a good correlation with the aboveground vegetation composition. This shows that modern soil phytoliths are reliable analogues for reconstructing the paleovegetation. The results of a paleovegetation reconstruction based on the modern phytolith reference dataset show that the SWGT region has experienced substantial vegetation changes during the Holocene—from evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest to evergreen broadleaved forest, and finally to evergreen broadleaved forest with occasional shrub and herbaceous communities. The phytolith-based Holocene vegetation types are consistent with those reconstructed by a pollen record from the same stratigraphic profile. Moreover, the phytolith reconstruction also records changes in the understory herbaceous plants and C₃/C₄ grasses, which supplements the results of the pollen-based paleovegetation reconstruction. Overall, our results confirm the reliability of phytolith analysis for interpreting the entire vegetation landscape and forest composition in the mid-subtropical zone of China. They also provide a new perspective for the application of phytoliths to the study of forest dynamics in this region.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":19928,"journal":{"name":"Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology","volume":"632 ","pages":"Article 111861"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49901198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}