Ecological and morphological characteristics of Betulaceae representatives in the Cenozoic floras of Kazakhstan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32523/0kxqs531Keywords:
Betulaceae;, paleoflora, miocene, oligocene, Coexistence Approach , Cenozoic flora, Kazakhstan, leaf morphologyAbstract
The study of Betulaceae S.F. Gray in the Cenozoic floras of Kazakhstan provides important insights into the evolution of temperate forests and the paleoclimate of Central Asia. Based on 121 well-preserved specimens from 11 localities, a leaf-architectural analysis of fossil representatives of Alnus, Betula, Corylus, Carpinus, and Ostrya was carried out following the Manual of Leaf Architecture. Quantitative paleoclimatic reconstructions were performed using the Coexistence Approach (CA) and Joint Probability Density Function (JPDF) methods. The results indicate predominantly warm and humid conditions during the Oligocene and increasing seasonality accompanied by aridization during the Miocene, reflected in the transition from humid floodplain–swamp forests to more continental mesophytic landscapes. The morphological stability and ecological plasticity of Betulaceae demonstrate their ability to retain a dominant position within tree layers under changing temperature and moisture regimes, confirming their reliability as indicators of paleoclimatic conditions in the Cenozoic floras of Kazakhstan.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Шаһизада Акмагамбет, Айжан Жамангара, Саида Нигматова, Руслан Муратов (Автор)
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