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Late Cretaceous- Cenozoic history of deciduousness and the terminal Cretaceous event.

January 1, 1987

Deciduousness in mesic, broad-leaved plants occurred in disturbed, middle-latitude environments during the Late Cretaceous. Only in polar environments in the Late Cretaceous was the deciduous element dominant, although of low diversity. The terminal Cretaceous event resulted in wide-spread selection for plants of deciduous habit and diversification of deciduous taxa, thus leaving a lasting imprint on Northern Hemisphere vegetation. Various environmental factors have played important roles in subsequent diversification of mesic, broad-leaved deciduous taxa and in origination and decline of broad-leaved deciduous forests. Low diversity and rarity of mesic deciduous plants in the post-Cretaceous of the Southern Hemisphere indicate that the inferred 'impact winter' of the terminal Cretaceous event had little effect on Southern Hemisphere vegetation and climate. -Author

Publication Year 1987
Title Late Cretaceous- Cenozoic history of deciduousness and the terminal Cretaceous event.
Authors J. A. Wolfe
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Paleobiology
Index ID 70014486
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse