Consequences of long-distance dispersal of plant macrofossils

Abstract

Long-distance dispersal of plant macrofossils is a commonly recognised phenomenon, but in most fossil assemblages it is difficult to determine its extent. Long-distance dispersal will probably affect any analysis based on foliar physiognomy (leaf size and margin type), particularly if it causes species from more than one vegetation type to be present in the assemblage. Mbre serious objections to the use of foliar physiognomy, particularly for estimating palaeoclimates and vegetation types, arc the frequent over-abundance of streamand lake-side plants in deposits and the current lack of knowledge of the representation of surrounding vegetation in depositional sites.