3-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF AN IN-SITU MIOCENE PEAT FOREST FROM THE LOWER RHINE EMBAYMENT, NORTHWESTERN GERMANY - NEW METHODS IN PALAEOVEGETATION ANALYSIS

Palaeovegetation reconstructions, particularly of fossil forests, are generally restricted to scant information on the taxonomic composition , relative abundance of individual taxa, or on tree density. We have d eveloped new techniques for the analysis of stump horizons that result in a relatively detailed three-dimensional reconstruction of ancient forests. In addition, a rough estimate of their above-ground standing biomass can be calculated. These techniques are applied to an in-situ Miocene peat forest preserved in the Lower Rhine Embayment, northweste rn Germany. In a study area of 2500 m(2), 476 stumps were mapped and u sed in the forest reconstruction. Additionally, pollen samples and lea f remains have been analysed. The peat forest consists primarily of co nifers (in particular Taxodiaceae and Pinaceae) with Sciadopitys being the most common genus. The only angiosperms in the wood flora were pa lms, but in the pollen flora, evidence for the Myricaceae, Mastixiacea e, Ericaceae and a few other angiosperms is also present. The forest w as relatively dense with 1904 trees/ha and a basal area of 164 m(2). M ean trunk diameter was 28 cm, while mean tree height is calculated to have been 9.9 m. Height, diameter and density distribution are illustr ated using contour and three-dimensional surface plots. Estimated abov e ground biomass is 750 t/ha, but this value also includes dead or par tly dead trees. This peat forest does not closely compare with previou s reconstructions of Miocene peat forests. Its three dimensional struc ture and biomass differ from those of modern bald cypress swamps.