Vegetation and climate changes during the Miocene climatic optimum and Miocene climatic transition in the northwestern part of Central Paratethys

Abstract

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) at 14.8–12.0 Ma. Here we study the pollen record from marine strata in eight wells and sections (Hevlín, Slup, Medlov, Iváň, Lomnice, Židlochovice, Baden Soos, and Devínska Nová Ves) including a total of 92 samples. The standard pollen diagrams are simultaneously analysed using the Palaeotropical/Arctotertiary concept (P/A), synthesized diagrams, coexistence approach, and a technique allowing to reconstruct diversity of plant functional types in order to unravel climate changes and their impact on the biosphere. Warmest climate conditions supporting a diverse, thermophilous mixed mesophytic forest vegetation with a high proportion of broadleaved evergreen PFTs persisted in the neighbouring continental parts during the Karpatian to Early Badenian (NN4‐NN5 biozone) representing the MCO. Evidence for the MTC and subsequent cooling (NN5 and NN6 at ca. 14 Ma) comes from lower percentages of thermophilous and evergreen elements and higher diversity of deciduous PFTs in the ecospectra (Devínska Nová Ves, NN6 biozone). Inferred annual precipitation rates above 800 mm and the almost continuous presence subtropical swamp tree pollen point to the persistence of overall humid climate conditions in the study area. Reconstructed precipitation data and the presence of drought‐tolerant plant functional types (PFTs) point to a seasonal climate. The studied records partly show shorter term cyclic changes in climate and plant diversity related to glacial events in the Langhian. Using the proportion of broadleaved evergreen versus broadleaved deciduous tree diversity as indicator for temperature changes, several alternations of warmer and cooler phases are obvious from the record. Moreover, sedimentary facies plays an important role for quality and resolution of terrestrial signals in marine strata.

Marine facies differentiation along complex paleotopography: an example from the Middle Miocene (Serravallian) of Lower Austria

“…This decline is expressed in the mid-Badenian-extinction-event (MBEE) defined by Harzhauser and Piller ( 2007 ). Also pollen assemblages show a decrease in temperature but indicate still a subtropical climate (Doláková et al, 2020 ; Kováčová et al, 2011 ).…”

Flora, vegetation and climate assessment of the Early/Middle Miocene Parschlug flora indicates a distinctly seasonal climate

“…In addition, based on the CA, the pollen record from marine strata in the northwestern part of the Central Paratethys (Vienna Basin and surroundings of Brno), dated to the late Burdigalian, Langhian and Serravalian, was interpreted in terms of climate change (Doláková et al 2020). Overall, declining trends both for MAT and MAP were reconstructed for this time interval.…”

“…2) and those for many other Neogene European sites in which the IPR Similarity points towards Europe but the Taxonomic Similarity (TS) points towards East Asia, strongly support this argument (see Kovar-Eder et al 2021: tab. 2 Finally, the possibility must also be considered that the flora from Parschlug, indicating not only distinct seasonality in both temperature and precipitation but also lower MAT, WMMT and especially CMMT than the record from the northwestern Paratethys region (Kern et al 2011, Doláková et al 2020, may represent a time window around the late Burdigalian/early Langhian which is not represented in those pollen records.…”

Assessment of Phytogeographic Reference Regions for Cenozoic vegetation: a case study on the Miocene flora of Wiesa (Germany)

“…In central Europe, several studies have been conducted to trace regional palaeoclimatic shifts during the MCO based on fossil plant assemblages (e.g., Mosbrugger et al 2005, Doláková et al 2021. Böhme et al (2007) used fossil wood floras in southern Germany to detect two warmer phases in the middle Burdigalian and Langhian, and a marked cooling phase in the late Burdigalian, possibly caused by the second major Miocene built-up phase (Mi2) of the Antarctic icesheet.…”