中国科学院南京地质古生物研究所机构知识库

The Middle Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in Beipiao City, western Liaoning comprises a variety of plant fossils including leaf impressions, compressions, permineralized rhizomes, fossil wood and dispersed spores and pollen grains. Impression and compression data suggest that the flora in the Tiaojishan Formation is dominated by Bermettitales, ferns and Nilssoniales, followed by ginkgophytes; conifers and sphenopsids are less common. Abundant permineralized rhizomes are referable to diverse taxa within fern families such as Osmundaceae and Cyatheaceae. Abundant and upright fossil stumps are common in the Tiaojishan Formation. They are welt preserved with distinct growth rings and are predominatly conifers. The floristic signature of the Tiaojishan Formation indicates that subtropical to temperate warm and humid climates prevailed during the late Middle Jurassic in the Beipiao area. Growth ring pattern analysis of the fossil conifer wood demonstrates a consistent and distinct seasonal climate during this interval. The biodiversity of the remarkable Tiaojishan flora provides essential evidence for understanding the vegetation, pataeoclimate and environmental evolution of western Liaoning during the Middle to Late Jurassic.