Torsten Utescher

Senckenberg Research Institute

The Deccan-associated sediments (Lameta and intertrappean deposits) hold great potential for understanding the role of Deccan Volcanism in the late Maastrichtian ecological upheaval. However, it is challenging to ascertain Deccan Volcanism driven floral changes on the Indian Plate due to unresolvedstratigraphyic and lack of well-dated terrestrial s...

Major plant biome changes in East Asia during the early Paleogene are studied using the Integrated Plant Record vegetation analysis for the first time based on paleobotanical records. The paleobotanical record employed for the reconstruction comprises 110 paleofloras covering the early Paleocene to early Eocene, a time-span of ca. 17 Myr. Our data...

The equatorial evergreen forests nourish the world's biodiversity hotspots and are considered the lungs of the Earth. However, their future survival is uncertain, due to anthropogenically increased carbon emissions and changes in the hydrological cycle. Understanding the changes in the hydrological cycle in the equatorial region due to an increase...

С использованием метода сосуществования выделены климатические зоны для раннего эоцена востока Азии. Данные для реконструкции включают 48 палинофлор из континентальных отложений нижнего эоцена востока Азии между 75° и 19° с. ш. Полученные климатические выводы согласуются с глобальными трендами, демонстрируя высокие средние значения среднегодовой те...

Early Paleogene latitudinal precipitation gradients and patterns along the Pacific coast of Eurasia are studied in time and space using the Coexistence Approach, for the first time applied on an extensive regional palaeobotanical record. The palaeobotanical data used in this reconstruction are compiled from literature resources on 110 reasonably we...

The rainforests near the early Eocene palaeo-equator were more resilient to greenhouse warming than mid-latitude vegetation. The mechanism underlying that resilience remains poorly known due to the lack of reliable terrestrial climate data from the palaeo-equator. In this paper, we quantify terrestrial temperature data using a plant proxy approach...

The Miocene Climate Optimum (MCO) and the subsequent Miocene Climate Transition (MCT) are important biotic, environmental and geologic events. Here we address whether this holds true for the epicontinental Eastern Paratethys Sea (today's Black – Caspian Sea region). Two Tarkhanian – lower Chokrakian sequences of Middle Miocene age in the Kerch Peni...

Diversity of Plant Functional Types (PFTs) along a sediment core drilled in Lonar Crater Lake, Central India, is analysed, based on previously published pollen data for a total of 115 depth levels and covering the past 9.2 kyr. Our results support concepts of a dominantly humid period persisting until ca. 5 ka, succeeded by a significantly drier ph...

The uplift of the Tibet Plateau (TP) during the Miocene is crucial to understanding the evolution of Asian monsoon regimes and alpine biodiversity. However, the northern Tibet Plateau (NTP) remains poorly investigated. We use pollen records of montane conifers (Tsuga, Podocarpus, Abies, and Picea) as a new paleoaltimetry to construct two parallel m...

The Miocene Climate Optimum was an interval of global climatic warmth characterised by significant global palaeoceanographic changes. In this paper, we describe the parastratotype section of the regional Karpatian stage (late Burdigalian) at Hevlín quarry in the Czech Republic, to improve knowledge of evolving palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate du...

Early Pliocene climate and vegetation evolution in the Lena River Delta (nor thern Yakutia, Eastern Siberia) are quantitatively studied for the first time in de tail, based on a palaeobotanical record. Palaeobotanical data for this timeinterval were obtained on 28 palynofloras from the Sardakhskaya Formation in the coastal cliffs of the Sardakh-Sis...

Early Paleogene latitudinal continental temperature gradients along the Pacific coast of Eurasia are studied in time and space using the Coexistence Approach, for the first time applied on an extensive regional palaeobotanical record. The palaeobotanical data used in this reconstruction are compiled from literature resources on a total of 110 reaso...

During the Miocene Climatic Optimum, a global long-term warm interval, European mid-latitude regions experienced a subtropical palaeoclimate. In particular, areas in eastern Germany were part of a vegetational zone with evergreen broadleaved forests, characterized by subtropical taxa. Regional palaeofloristic concepts denominated this palaeovegetat...

The spatio-temporal vegetation patterns of East Asia in the Eocene remain uncertain. In this present paper, we conduct numerical analyses of plant functional types (PFTs) for 80 Eocene floras, subdivided into three-time intervals: the early, middle, and late Eocene. Based on PFT diversity spectra, five groups are identified from cluster analysis an...

In this article, we highlight the characteristic features of the Late Rupelian Buran flora of Eastern Kazakhstan. The species list contains 65 plant taxa belonging to Polypodiophyta (2), Gymnospermae (12) and Magnoliopsida (51). Its composition is dominated by leaves, fruits and pollen of Carya; there are also in noticeable quantities of remains of...

The late early – early middle Eocene climate and vegetation evolution in northern Yakutia (Eastern Siberia) is quantitatively studied in detail for the first time, based on a palaeobotanical record. Palaeobotanical data for this time interval were obtained from 16 palynofloras from continental sediments on the southern shore of Tastakh Lake (the le...

Quantitative Miocene climate and vegetation data from the Siwalik succession of western Nepal indicate that the development of the Indian summer monsoon has had an impact, though in part, on vegetation changes. The climate and vegetation of the Lower (middle Miocene) and Middle (late Miocene–Pliocene) Siwalik successions of Darjeeling, eastern Hima...

Plant–arthropod interaction offers insight into the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems in the geological past. In this study, leaf fossils with arthropod traces, collected from the Miocene Huaitoutala flora, Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau, were studied to provide direct evidence of plant–arthropod interactions on the Tibetan Plateau. The r...

Early Eocene climate and vegetation evolution in northern Yakutia (Eastern Siberia) are quantitatively studied for the first time based on paleobotanical records, using the coexistence approach (CA) for paleoclimate, the plant functional type approach (PFT) and the integrated plant record method (IPR). Paleobotanical data of this time-interval were...

At the end of December 2020, Volker Mosbrugger retired, after 15 years, from his position as Director General of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturkunde, 2 years after he turned 65, the official age for retirement in Germany. During the last 40 years, Volker has built up an international reputation not only as a leading palaeobotanist, but also...

Late Miocene sediments from the Beli Breg Coal Basin, Western Bulgaria, were investigated using spore-pollen analysis. Based on palynological characteristics, we describe dynamics and development of vegetation in the studied basin. The main types of palaeocoenoses are distinguished. The fossil flora is characterised by a variable structure of plant...

The Oligocene represents a transitional phase from a “hot‐house” to a “cold‐house” climate. Central Asia has undergone substantial environmental changes and tectonic events; however, we know little about how these tectonic events shaped the climate and biodiversity in Central Asia. Here, we present a detailed study on the early Oligocene paleobotan...

Today, Northeastern India receives some of the highest annual rainfall totals globally. The major portion of annual precipitation in this region falls during the Indian Summer Monsoon season (June–September); however, this region also receives a significant amount of rainfall during the pre-monsoon season (March–May). Here, we quantitatively recons...

To assess the pattern of climatic evolution during the late Miocene to early Pleistocene in the largest fluvio-deltaic sedimentary system on the Earth, the Bengal Basin (BB), a quantitative palaeoclimatic reconstruction was made, based on 20 fossil wood floras. Those floras show that moisture-loving taxa have decreased considerably since the Miocen...

The study of pollen spectra mirrors the evolution of landscape and climatic changes in the northwestern part of Central Paratethys domain during the regional stages Karpatian–Badenian (Late Burdigalian–Langhian to Early Serravalian; NN4‐NN6 biozone). This interval includes the Miocene climatic optimum (MCO) and the Miocene climatic transition (MCT)...

In this study comprehensive palaeofloristic data of lower Miocene deposits from the Soma Basin, western Anatolia is presented considering the stratigraphical concept. The sediments of the basin, derived from outcrop sections, were deposited in the terrestrial environment. The basin includes three different successions: lower and middle lignite succ...

Paleocene climate and vegetation evolution in the Amur Region (Far East of Russia) are quantitatively studied for the first time in detail, based on a palaeobotanical record. Palaeobotanical data for this time interval were obtained from a total of 25 palynofloras from Core 154 drilled in the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field. In this first integrative...

Spatial vegetation patterns potentially reflect coeval continental climate variations which are also impacted by palaeogeographical settings. Plant functional types (PFTs) and their distribution, frequently applied in ecological studies and biome modelling, serve as a tool for reconstructing palaeovegetation units and ultimately tracing palaeoecolo...

Brown coal deposits of the Lower Rhine Basin, northwest Germany, cover the late Burdigalian to Serravallian and most of the Tortonian enabling access to observations of vegetation dynamics during the Miocene Climatic Optimum and Late Miocene Cooling. Based on a total of 500 microfloras sampled from brown coal seams in the Bergheim and Inden open ca...

Paleogene vegetation changes in Primorye (Far East of Russia) are studied using the Plant Functional Types (PFT) Approach, for the first time applied on the large palaeobotanical records of this region. The palaeobotanical data for this reconstruction are based on the analysis of 30 palynofloras and 24 leaf floras covering the Early Palaeocene to L...

The problem of paleoclimate reconstruction is an extremely interesting issue, which has been repeatedly discussed in many publications. This topic engages the attention of numerous specialists in many and various scientific disciplines. Fossil plants have vast potential as a source of information about past climatic conditions in the terrestrial re...

The Paleogene climate dynamics in Primorye (Far East of Russia) are studied using the Coexistence Approach, based on palaeobotanical records. Palaeobotanical data for the reconstruction comprises 54 palaeofloras covering the early Paleocene to late Oligocene, a time span of ca. 42 myr. The climate inferences obtained are consistent with independent...

The investigation of the fossil floras from the Turgai plateau (central Kazakhstan) contributes to a better understanding of the origin of the temperate Turgai type flora which spread to Kazakhstan and adjacent areas during the Oligocene–Miocene transition. In this paper, we present the results of a carpological and palynological study of the Kumyr...

Based on ecospectra of 66 published carpofloras we study dynamics and evolution of Turgay vegetation in Western Siberia during the early Oligocene to earliest Miocene. The ecospectra are obtained using a Plant Functional Type (PFT) classification system comprising 26 herbaceous to arboreal PFTs. The carpofloras originate from seven floristic levels...

We reconstruct climate and vegetation applying the Coexistence Approach (CA) methodology on two palaeofloras recovered from the Lower (middle Miocene; ~ 13–11 Ma) and Middle Siwalik (late Miocene; 9.5–6.8 Ma) sediments of Surai Khola section, Nepal. The reconstructed mean annual temperature (MAT) and cold month mean temperature (CMT) show an increa...

We present a multi-proxy study of an upper Paleocene-lower Eocene succession from the paleo-equatorial region. The study is carried out on a coal-bearing, shallow-marine succession exposed at Jathang, east Khasi hills, Meghalaya, northeastern India. The succession was deposited in a low-energy, coastal marsh-bay complex. Dinoflagellate cyst biostra...

The evolution of plant ecosystems during the Cenophytic was complex and influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors. Among abiotic forces were tectonics, the distribution of continents and seas, climate, and fires; of biotic factors were herbivores, pests, and intra- and interspecific competition. The genus QuercusL. (Quercoideae, Fagaceae) evolv...

The Gulf Stream, as part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is known as a major driver of latitudinal energy transport in the North Atlantic presently causing mild winters over northwestern Eurasia. The intensity of the AMOC throughout the Neogene, prior to the final closure of the Central American Seaway (CAS) in the early...

Abstract: The up to 60 m thick Neurath Sand (Serravallian, late middle Miocene) is one of several marine sands in the Lower Rhine Basin which were deposited as a result of North Sea transgressive activity in Cenozoic times. The shallow-marine Neurath Sand is well exposed in the Garzweiler open-cast mine, which is located in the centre of the Lower...

The up to 60 m thick Neurath Sand (Serravallian, late middle Miocene) is one of several marine sands in the Lower Rhine Basin which were deposited as a result of North Sea transgressive activity in Cenozoic times. The shallow-marine Neurath Sand is well exposed in the Garzweiler open-cast mine, which is located in the centre of the Lower Rhine Basi...

Full list of known plant fossil species from the Cenozoic of Yunnan.

Yunnan in southwestern China is renowned for its high plant diversity. To understand how this modern botanical richness formed, it is critical to investigate the past biodiversity throughout the geological time. In this review, we present a summary on plant diversity, floristics and climates in the Cenozoic of Yunnan and document their changes, by...

Early Pleistocene vegetation dynamics in the Russian Far East (southern Primory'e) are studied using multiple quantitative techniques on various palaeobotanical organ types. Vegetation data for this time interval were obtained from a total of 8 macrofloras (fruits and seeds, woods, and leaves) and 18 microfloras collected from a 10 m thick, terrige...

The Miocene is a relatively recent epoch of the Earth’s history with warmer climate than today, particularly during the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO, approximatively 17-15 Ma). Although the cause of the warming is probably not only attributable to CO 2, but also to changes in orography and configuration of ocean gateways, this time interva...

Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2013-ITN program

The ALErT project targets on climate and tectonic hazards in the densely populated regions in the Central Anatolian Plateau (CAP), within the framework of the Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2013-ITN program, The CAP extends in a wide area in between zone the Aegean extensional zone and Bitlis /Zagros compressional zone. Çankırı Basin (in the middle CAP) is...

An integrated stratigraphic study of Neogene lacustrine succession in the Çankırı Basin (Central Anatolia), combining pollen analysis, biostratigraphy and isotope analysis records variations in vegetation and depositional environment. The palynological analysis of the upper Miocene interval of the studied section reveals the existence of a conifero...

The Pannonian Basin system provides sufficient data to study local and regional vegetation in the context of palaeoclimate and palaeogeography. The present study attempts to make use of latest results in stratigraphy and track vegetation change throughout the late Miocene. Vegetation layers are reconstructed for five time slices, from 10.8 Ma to 6....

Late Messinian palynoflora from Central Anatolian Plateau (Çankırı Basin) Muge Atalar, Marianna Kováčová, Mine Sezgül Kayseri Ozer, Torsten Utescher Abstract ABSTRACT Within the framework of the Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2013-ITN program, the ALErT project targets on tectonic and climatic boundary conditions in the regions along the densely populat...

There is an increasing need to understand the pre-Quaternary warm climates, how climate–vegetation interactions functioned in the past, and how we can use this information to understand the present. Here we report vegetation modelling results for the Late Miocene (11–7 Ma) to study the mechanisms of vegetation dynamics and the role of different for...

Fossil leaves of Messinian age (ca. 5.7 Ma) from two sites of the Vena del Gesso Fm. (Monte Tondo and Tossignano, Ravenna and Bologna provinces, Italy) were studied morphologically to assess the taxonomic composition of the assemblages and carry out a palaeoenvironmental analysis. The flora of Tossignano so far comprises 41 vascular plant taxa with...

Both plant and vertebrate communities have been used to reconstruct paleoprecipitation. However, direct stratigraphic comparisons between the two types of proxies have hardly been performed, which is due to the fact that plant and vertebrate fossils usually do not occur together in single geological beds. Here, we focus on a series of 18 sites from...

The Lower Rhine Basin, comprising the SE end of the Dutch-German Central Graben, formed as a result of extension and subsidence within the NW Schiefergebirge. By early Neogene times, marginal marine conditions had developed, and tidal-dominated estuarine environments were established within the basin. The relatively mild (warm & moist) climate faci...

The Cenozoic-age Lower Rhine Basin is located in the SE part of the Dutch-German Central Graben. During the Miocene up to 100 m of lignite (Main Seam) was deposited within the basin. This seam can be subdivided into the Morken, Frimmersdorf and Garzweiler seams which are separated by bodies of transgressive sands deposited in a tide-dominated estua...

It is widely accepted that the late Pliocene spans a time with globally warmer conditions compared to today. Regional specifics in temperature patterns from this period, however, remain poorly known. In this study, we reconstruct quantitatively late Pliocene climates for eight sites at the southeastern border of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (SBTP), ba...

The evolution of Cenozoic continental climate signals from the Atlantic and Pacific side of Eurasia can be assessed for the first time by comparing climate records obtained for two mid-latitudinal regions. For the West, a detailed climate record over the past 45 Ma, based on palaeofloras from two Northern German Cenozoic basins (Mosbrugger et al.,...

Modern Asian winter monsoon characterised by the strong northwesterly wind in East Asia and northeasterly wind in South Asia, has a great impact on the surface temperature of the Asian continent. Its outbreak can result in significant cooling of the monsoon region. However, it is still unclear whether such an impact existed and is detectable in the...

Abstract: A new late Miocene (Tortonian) leaf flora has recently been recovered in the southernmost part of Europe on the island of Gavdos, Greece. So far, three conifers (Tetraclinis salicornioides, Taxodium dubium and Pinus sp.) and 27 fossil species/morphotypes of angiosperms have been recognized. Among them, some represent subtropical, partly e...