Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic history of deciduousness and the terminal Cretaceous event.

Paleobiology
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Abstract

Deciduousness in mesic, broad-leaved plants occurred in disturbed, middle-latitude environments during the Late Cretaceous. Only in polar environments in the Late Cretaceous was the deciduous element dominant, although of low diversity. The terminal Cretaceous event resulted in wide-spread selection for plants of deciduous habit and diversification of deciduous taxa, thus leaving a lasting imprint on Northern Hemisphere vegetation. Various environmental factors have played important roles in subsequent diversification of mesic, broad-leaved deciduous taxa and in origination and decline of broad-leaved deciduous forests. Low diversity and rarity of mesic deciduous plants in the post-Cretaceous of the Southern Hemisphere indicate that the inferred “impact winter” of the terminal Cretaceous event had little effect on Southern Hemisphere vegetation and climate.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic history of deciduousness and the terminal Cretaceous event.
Series title Paleobiology
DOI 10.1017/S0094837300008769
Volume 13
Issue 2
Publication Date April 08, 2016
Year Published 1987
Language English
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Description 12 p.
First page 215
Last page 226
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