Triassic-Jurassic flora of Poland; floristical support of climatic changes

Abstract

Plant macroremains from five boreholes in Poland were studied. Two of them (Huta OP-1 and Studzianna) from the northern margin of the Holy Cross Mountains, yielded several taxa. In the other three boreholes determinable fossil plants were sporadic, albeit important. Most of the taxa from the Huta OP-1 and Studzianna boreholes are typical of the European Early Jurassic (Hettangian and Sinemurian). Both localities, although close to one another, show quite different taxonomic floral compositions. The Huta OP-1 flora is fern-dominated with the presence of ginkgophytes and conifers (a new species incertae sedis, Desmiophyllum harrisii Barbacka et Pacyna is herein proposed), which would suggest rather wet and warm conditions. This flora is typical of the European Province of the Euro-Sinian Region. In Studzianna the Siberian elements dominate, gymnosperms, mainly Czekanowskiales, which indicate a drier and colder environment.The palaeobotanical data correspond to the results of clay mineral studies, in particular the kaolinite/illite ratio in the source formations. The kaolinite content confirms a decrease in temperature and a reduction in rainfall in the late Early Hettangian and the latest Hettangian in the area.