Tertiary climates and floristic relationships at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
By: J. A. Wolfe
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Abstract
During the Paleocene and Eocene, climates were characterized by a low mean annual range of temperature (a maximum of 10-15??C), a moderate to high mean annual temperature (10-20??C), and abundant precipitation; strong broad-leaved evergreen vegetation extended to almost lat. 60??N during the Paleocene and to well above 61??N during the Eocene. Poleward of the broad-leaved evergreen forests were forests that were broad-leaved deciduous; these deciduous forests, however, were unlike extant broad-leaved deciduous forests in general floristic composition and physiognomy. Coniferous forests probably occupied the northernmost latitudes. At the end of the Eocene, a major climatic deterioration resulted in a high (> 30??C) mean annual range of temperature and a low mean annual temperature (< 10??C). Vegetation represented temperate broad-leaved deciduous and coniferous forests. The Oligocene and Neogene climatic trends represent a decrease in both mean annual range of temperature and mean annual temperature. Tundra vegetation did not appear until late in the Neogene. The present distribution of broad-leaved evergreens concomitant with the principles of plant physiology indicates that present winter light conditions at high latitudes could not support broad-leaved evergreen forest. A possible solution to the problem is to increase winter light by lessening the inclination of the earth's rotational axis. ?? 1980.
Suggested Citation
Wolfe, J.A., 1980, Tertiary climates and floristic relationships at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 30, no. C, p. 313-323, https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-0182(80)90063-2.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Tertiary climates and floristic relationships at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere |
| Series title | Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology |
| DOI | 10.1016/0031-0182(80)90063-2 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | C |
| Year Published | 1980 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology |
| First page | 313 |
| Last page | 323 |