f iMethods for reconstructing past vegetation

based on macroplant fossils

Marion K BamfordBPI Palaeontology

University of the Witwatersrand

Johannesburg, South Africa

Botanical evidence 3 Ma to PresentBotanical evidence 3 Ma to PresentBotanical evidence 3 Ma to PresentBotanical evidence 3 Ma to Present

South AfricaSouth AfricaSterkfontein ~ 2.8 MaSterkfontein ~ 2.8 Ma

East AfricaEast AfricaKoobi Fora Koobi Fora –– Upper Upper

TaungTaungWonderwerk 2 Ma toWonderwerk 2 Ma to

ppppBurgi Mbr ~ 2 MaBurgi Mbr ~ 2 MaOmo River ShunguraOmo River ShunguraWonderwerk 2 Ma to Wonderwerk 2 Ma to

presentpresentSib dSib d 60 k60 k

Omo River Shungura Omo River Shungura Fm ~ 2 MaFm ~ 2 MaOlduvai 1 8 MaOlduvai 1 8 MaSibudu ~ 75Sibudu ~ 75--60 ka60 ka Olduvai ~ 1.8 MaOlduvai ~ 1.8 MaKoobi Fora Koobi Fora –– Okote Okote Mb 1 5 MMb 1 5 MMbr ~ 1,5 MaMbr ~ 1,5 Ma

Sources of dataSources of dataSources of dataSources of data

PollenPollenRegional, family/genus level, grassesRegional, family/genus level, grassesg , y g , gg , y g , g

PhytolithsPhytolithsL l? C3 C4 di l dL l? C3 C4 di l dLocal? C3 vs C4 grasses; dicots; palms; sedgesLocal? C3 vs C4 grasses; dicots; palms; sedges

MacroplantsMacroplantsppLocal; Rare, genus/species level; external Local; Rare, genus/species level; external morphology; vegetation structuremorphology; vegetation structuremorphology; vegetation structuremorphology; vegetation structure

Phytolith taphonomyPhytolith taphonomyPhytolith taphonomyPhytolith taphonomyS lS lSamplesSamples

Living plants (grasses, sedges, herbs, shrubs, trees)Living plants (grasses, sedges, herbs, shrubs, trees)Soil below living plantsSoil below living plantsSoil below living plantsSoil below living plantsFossil/archaeological sedimentsFossil/archaeological sediments

TaphonomyTaphonomyap o o yap o o yResultsResults

Reduction: plant Reduction: plant soil soil fossil sedimentfossil sedimentppMorphotypes lost: sedges, monocotsMorphotypes lost: sedges, monocotsAlkalinity, ground water, carbonate nodulesAlkalinity, ground water, carbonate nodules

Case study Case study –– Olduvai GorgeOlduvai Gorge

Olduvai GorgeOlduvai GorgeOlduvai GorgeOlduvai Gorge

Geotrenching in selected locations

Grassland below Grassland below T ff IFT ff IFTuff IFTuff IF

PollenPollenPollenPollenlumc nl/1070/patientenzorg/Pollen%20Informatie%20Dienst/Images/poaceae jpgjp

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Poaceae

Olduvai Gorge LMB IIOlduvai Gorge LMB IIGuibourtia coleospermaGuibourtia coleospermapp

Phytoliths identified in T-107 2identified in T-107.2

Phytoliths identified in Spray paint layerSpray paint layer

Phytoliths identified in VEKsectionsection

RhizolithsRhizoliths

Fossil root profilesFossil root profilesFossil root profilesFossil root profiles

Modern analoguesModern analoguesModern analoguesModern analogues

l i li il d hl i li il d hSelection: climate, soil and topographySelection: climate, soil and topographyGeographically as close as possibleGeographically as close as possibleg p y pg p y pUndisturbed habitatUndisturbed habitatLong term easy accessLong term easy accessLong term easy accessLong term easy accessTaphonomyTaphonomyEg: Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Ol’Balbal Eg: Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Ol’Balbal depression; Lakes Manyara, Masek, Ndutu, depression; Lakes Manyara, Masek, Ndutu, p ; y , , ,p ; y , , ,Natron; Okavango Delta, Seekoeivlei NRNatron; Okavango Delta, Seekoeivlei NR

Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro CraterNgorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater

SerengetiSerengetigg

Open woodlandsp

Riverine woodlands

Open grasslandsp g

Kopjies

Lake ManyaraLake Manyara

Okavango DeltaOkavango Deltagg

Seekoeivlei Nature ReserveSeekoeivlei Nature ReserveSeekoeivlei Nature Reserve Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve

High altitude

Fresh water

Mixed grasses and sedges

Large mammals

ModernModernrootsroots

Termite tunnels, invertebrates or roots?

Termitaria, Termitaria, roots, roots,

rhizomesrhizomesrhizomesrhizomes

Criteria for identificationCriteria for identificationCriteria for identificationCriteria for identification

Root tracesRoot tracesMainly verticalMainly vertical

Termites or Termites or invertebratesinvertebratesyy

Branch downwardsBranch downwardsHierarchy of diametersHierarchy of diameters

Few size classesFew size classesBranch randomlyBranch randomlyHierarchy of diametersHierarchy of diameters

Rhizomes and rootsRhizomes and rootsBranch randomlyBranch randomly+/+/-- nodesnodes

Density decreases Density decreases verticallyvertically

Several generationsSeveral generations

Vegetation reconstructionVegetation reconstructionVegetation reconstructionVegetation reconstructionPeninsulaChannel Wetland

interiorWetlandedge

Monocots (few)Monocots dicots GrassesGrassesMonocots (few)Monocots,dicots Grasses, monocots, dicots, ferns

Grasses, sedges, dicots

fernsRootsSedges TyphaWoody

branches

Silicified woodsSilicified woodsSilicified woodsSilicified woods

NLRNLRNeed species Need species

PhysiognomyPhysiognomyVulnerability index V = Vulnerability index V = pp

determinationdeterminationLarge sampleLarge sample

yyV#/ VdiamV#/ VdiamTaxon independentTaxon independentLarge sampleLarge sample

Good modern databaseGood modern databaseTaxon independentTaxon independentNo African modern No African modern databasedatabasedatabasedatabase

Leaf impression fossilsLeaf impression fossilsLeaf impression fossilsLeaf impression fossils

NLRNLRNeed modern analogue Need modern analogue

PhysiognomyPhysiognomyCLAMP and othersCLAMP and othersgg

databasedatabase33°° and 4and 4°° venationvenation

Need East African Need East African modern databasemodern database33 and 4and 4 venationvenation

Some species not Some species not distinctdistinct

modern databasemodern databaseSouth African modern South African modern database starteddatabase starteddistinctdistinct database starteddatabase startedLarge sample neededLarge sample neededTaxon independentTaxon independent

Way forwardWay forward fossil macroplantfossil macroplantWay forward Way forward –– fossil macroplantfossil macroplant

Make databases for modern wood Make databases for modern wood physiognomyphysiognomyp y g yp y g yMake database for modern leaf features Make database for modern leaf features ––CLAMP etcCLAMP etcCLAMP, etc.CLAMP, etc.Make collections of comparative leavesMake collections of comparative leavesModern seed collectionsModern seed collectionsM d h l ll tiM d h l ll tiModern charcoal collectionsModern charcoal collections

Way forwardWay forwardWay forwardWay forward

Palynology and phytolith studies Palynology and phytolith studies -- modern and fossilmodern and fossilFind suitable wetlands to coreFind suitable wetlands to coreAltitudinal and latitudinal sequencesAltitudinal and latitudinal sequencesCompile existing databasesCompile existing databasesCompile existing databasesCompile existing databases

Check datingCheck datingCheck identificationsCheck identificationsCheck identificationsCheck identifications

Add new dataAdd new dataCorrelate East and South Africa Correlate East and South Africa –– probably not probably not synchronous climatessynchronous climates

Thank youThank youROCEEH, Senckenberg

MuseumMuseum

Heidelberg Academy of Science

NSF, Leakey Foundation. Wenner-Gren

PAST

Ngorongoro Crater - grassland

Ngorongoro Crater: Ngoitokitok forest-marsh transition

Lake Manyara: saline-alkaline lake, groundwater forest