Formal recognition of extinct Antarctic polar forests as a distinct biome

Macphail, Michael; Carpenter, Raymond J.; Hill, Robert S.

doi:10.1017/s0954102022000190

Antarctic Science

2022

DOI: 10.1017/s0954102022000190

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Formal recognition of extinct Antarctic polar forests as a distinct biome

Michael Macphail

Raymond J. Carpenter

Robert S. Hill

Abstract: We conclude that the extinct polar forests of Antarctica deserve recognition as a distinct biome - the ‘Austral Polar Forest Biome’ - rather than being regarded as analogous to modern rainforest.

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The non‐flowering plants of a near‐polar forest in East Gondwana, Tasmania, Australia, during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum

Slodownik

2024

American J of Botany

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PremiseThe Cenozoic Macquarie Harbour Formation (MHF) hosts one of the oldest and southernmost post‐Cretaceous fossil plant assemblages in Australia. Coinciding with the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) and predating the breakup of Australia from Antarctica, it offers critical data to study the diversity and extent of the Austral Polar Forest Biome, and the floristic divergence between Australasia and South America resulting from the Gondwana breakup.MethodsThe micromorphology and macromorphology of new fossil plant compressions from the MHF were described and systematically analyzed. Previously published non‐flowering plant records were reviewed and revised. Macrofossil abundance data were provided. The flora was compared with other early Paleogene assemblages from across the Southern Hemisphere.ResultsTwelve species of non‐flowering plants were identified from the macrofossil record. Conifers include Araucariaceae (Araucaria macrophylla, A. readiae, A. timkarikensis sp. nov., and Araucarioides linearis), Podocarpaceae (Acmopyle glabra, Dacrycarpus mucronatus, Podocarpus paralungatikensis sp. nov., and Retrophyllum sp.), and Cupressaceae (Libocedrus microformis). Dacrycarpus linifolius was designated a junior synonym of D. mucronatus. Further components include a cycad (Bowenia johnsonii, Zamiaceae), a pteridosperm (Komlopteris cenozoicus, Umkomasiaceae), and a fern (Lygodium dinmorphyllum, Schizaeaceae).ConclusionsThe fossil assemblage represents a mixed near‐polar forest with a high diversity of conifers. The morphology and preservation of several species indicate adaptations to life at high latitudes. The coexistence of large‐ and small‐leaved conifers implies complex, possibly open forest structures. Comparisons with contemporaneous assemblages from Argentina support a circumpolar biome during the EECO, reaching from southern Australia across Antarctica to southern South America.

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The non‐flowering plants of a near‐polar forest in East Gondwana, Tasmania, Australia, during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum

Slodownik

2024

American J of Botany

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The Paleocene - Eocene mangroves of southeastern Australia: spatial and temporal occurrences across four geological basins

Holdgate,

Sluiter,

Clowes

et al. 2024

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

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Palaeocene high-latitude leaf flora of Antarctica Part 2: Tooth-margined angiosperms

Tosolini

Cantrill

Korasidis

et al. 2023

Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology

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Formal recognition of extinct Antarctic polar forests as a distinct biome

Abstract: We conclude that the extinct polar forests of Antarctica deserve recognition as a distinct biome - the ‘Austral Polar Forest Biome’ - rather than being regarded as analogous to modern rainforest.

Cited by 3 publications

References 57 publications

The non‐flowering plants of a near‐polar forest in East Gondwana, Tasmania, Australia, during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum

The non‐flowering plants of a near‐polar forest in East Gondwana, Tasmania, Australia, during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum

The Paleocene - Eocene mangroves of southeastern Australia: spatial and temporal occurrences across four geological basins

Palaeocene high-latitude leaf flora of Antarctica Part 2: Tooth-margined angiosperms

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