INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LATE CRETACEOUS (CAMPANIAN) FOSSIL FLORA OF NORTH CAROLINA.

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0212529
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2007
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2013
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695

Performing Department
Plant Biology

Non Technical Summary
The Cretaceous-age fossil plants of North Carolina are abundant but not well understood taxonomically or floristically. The regional Cretaceous paleoecology and paleoclimatology based on the fossil flora, is not well understood. The proposed study will collect, identify, and determine floristic relationships of Cretaceous-age fossil plants of North Carolina. The proposed study will also examine paleoecological relationships of Cretaceous-age fossil plants of North Carolina. Paleoclimatological information, such as average annual temperature, will bee assessed from this data. The proposed study will then compare taxonomic, floristic and paleoecological relationships of Cretaceous-age fossil plants of North Carolina to similar age floras in North America and the world. Paleoclimatological data derived from these plants will be compared and integrated into regional and worldwide climatological interpretations.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
206	2499	1060	100%

Knowledge Area
206 - Basic Plant Biology;

Subject Of Investigation
2499 - Plant research, general;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

cretaceous

fossil plant

campanian

paleobotany

palynology

paleoclimatology

Goals / Objectives
Climate change is a suspected cause of shifts in natural and agricultural patterns of plant growth and distribution. Studying past floras permits us to place current climate change in a temporal framework, including overall comparison of climates of the past to the present and rates of change over time. It is well established that foliar physiognomy shows a very strong correlation with average temperature, and stomatal density gives data about carbon dioxide concentration. The proposed study would add to the data allowing understanding of past regional climates and climate change, permitting clearer understanding of these globally. This provides the background for understanding how present climates came to be, how and why they are changing, and predicting possible future changes. Understanding past climates is rooted in floristic fossil studies. Cretaceous plant fossils have been reported in North Carolina from the Tar Heel Formation principally by E. W. Berry in theearly 1900's. Berry traveled the Cape Fear, Neuse, Tar, and Black Rivers for the Geological Survey. He described 62 fossil plants, mainly angiosperm leaves and gymnosperms. My reexamination of available specimens shows that they are so incomplete that the original descriptions must be questioned. Since Berry, new techniques for fossil preparation have been developed, and concepts have evolved concerning plant systematics. Productive fossil localities occur at the Neuse River Cutoff, Willis Creek and Lock localities, along the Black River, and on the Tar River. Some localities reported by Berry may have been lost. Additional field studies will increase the number of new and rediscovered localities. This study will collect, identify, and determine floristic, paleoecological and paleoclimatological relationships of these poorly understood fossil plants, using modern techniques, allowing expansion of our knowledge of these once living organisms. This would permit conclusions concerningplant evolution, floral changes resulting from the end-Cretaceous extinction event, paleoclimatology, and more precise correlation of these strata. Objectives include: A) collecting plant fossil specimens from the Cretaceous in North Carolina and continuing development of a research collection. The area in which the Tar Heel formation occurs is extensive and potential to uncover new collecting sites is high, B) preparing these specimens for study using modern techniques, including maceration, light and scanning electron microscopy, C) identifying and determining phylogenetic relationships of specimens. With wider collecting, new taxa, more complete and larger numbers of specimens of known taxa will be recovered, D) photographing specimens for publication, emphasizing important characteristics., E) assessing paleoecological conditions under which these plants grew, F) developing a regional paleoecology and paleoclimatology based on these plants, G) reexamining fossils from the Berrycollections. Location of few of these fossils is known, but some are available to be reexamined, H) publication of a revised flora with paleoecological and paleoclimatological context for the Cretaceous of North Carolina.

Project Methods
A. During field collection, specimens are carefully excavated and wrapped for storage. Collection will concentrate on the Neuse, Cape Fear, Black, and Tar Rivers. Collections will be housed at North Carolina State University. B. Fossil specimens will be cleaned and macerated from the matrix using a mixture of water and detergent. Specimens are sieved from the matrix and stored for study. Specimens are sorted by observing under a dissecting stereomicroscope and prepared for light or scanning electron microscopy to reveal critical fine structural features. C. Identification is accomplished through detailed comparison with published reports of fossil and living plants. D. Sharp, clear photographs are essential for accurate and concise communication of fossil plant structure and taxonomy. In addition, clear figures are required for description of a new taxon and recommended for redescription of existing taxa. Published photographs may provide future workers with the onlydata available about a taxon, if the original specimens are lost. E. Paleoecology of fossil plants is interpreted through study of the sediments in which the fossils were incorporated and through the probable sequence of events that lead to plant parts being deposited at that particular locality. Much of this is done by comparison with present-day situations of sedimentation as described in the literature. F. Comparison of fossil plant floras and the resulting paleoecological interpretations will be integrated into a regional picture. Several studies have been published on Upper Cretaceous plant fossils from western North America, Europe, and southeastern North America. Floristic and paleoecological comparison of the North Carolina floras with others will provide a world-wide framework with which to evaluate regional plant geography and paleoclimatology during the Upper Cretaceous. G. Paleoclimatological information will be based on the flora and analyzed using such programs asClimate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP). This paleoclimatological information will be compared other floras and integrated into into regional and worldwide climatological interpretations.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: This work is aimed at a scientific audience, as well as the lay public, for understanding the history of the plant kingdom and the climatic and ecological contexts in which these organisms grew. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two undergraduate students have been trained in basic paleobotanical techniques under studies in progress in this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations to the at the North Carolina State University Undergraduate Research Symposium and the Annual Meetings of the Botanical Society of America were made on Cretaceous Plant fossil from North Carolina. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Continued collections of Late Cretaceous macrofossil and microfossil plant remains from North Carolina deposits were made, and their analysis continues. Several new species are apparent, and the regional picture of the Late Cretaceous is evolving. The study was expanded to include silicified fossils from Harnett County that were previously known but poorly described and unidentified. These fossils of the Late Cretaceous fern genus Tempskya were obtained from the Smithsonian Institution and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and have been reexamined by undergraduate students. The taxonomy and ecological contxt of these plants is being elucidated in this study.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Smith, J. B., M. Stegall and J. E. Mickle. 2013. The Cretaceous-age fossil fern Tempskya from North Carolina, U. S. A. Poster to be presented at the Annual Meetings of Botanical Society of America, New Orleans, LA. July 27-31. Stegall, M., J. B. Smith and J. Mickle. 2013. The Fossil Fern Genus Tempskya from the Upper Cretaceous of North Carolina. Poster presentation at the 2013 North Carolina State University Undergraduate Student Research Symposium. Raleigh, NC. April 10.

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Late Cretaceous fossil plant material has been collected from the Neuse River, Tar River and Willis Creek localities. Analysis continues on this material and material collected near Smithfield. The Willis Creek material has yielded additional specimens in the studies of a late Cretaceous conifer ovulate cone and the Neuse River cutoff locality has provided pollen samples with additional cuticular remains of gymnosperm and angiosperm fossils. Studies are continuing on the identity of amber found at the Neuse River cutoff locality. PARTICIPANTS: Research collaboration has continued with Dr. Madhumi Mitra, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland at Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland TARGET AUDIENCES: Some trips to collect fossils have included students from plant biology classes at North Carolina State University. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The findings are adding to the regional picture of the Late Cretaceous age flora on both a macro-(intact plant organs) and micro- (pollen, spores, algal, fungal and other palynomorphs) scale. The flora was dominated by conifers and angiosperms, with incidental presence of ferns. Palynomorph data also shows a significant presence of fungi and algae, indicating a wet environment. These data are beginning to show a clearer picture of the age of these sediments and information is now emerging about the paleoclimate of the region.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Late Cretaceous fossil plant material has been collected from the Neuse River, Tar River and Willis Creek Localities. Analysis continues of this material and material collected near Smithfield. The Willis Creek material has yielded additional specimens in the studies of a Late Cretaceous conifer ovulate cone and the Neuse River cutoff locality has provided pollen samples with additional cuticular remains of gymnosperm and angiosperm fossils. Studies are beginning on the identity of amber found a the Neuse River cutoff locality. PARTICIPANTS: Research collaboration has continued with Dr. Madhumi Mitra, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland at Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland. TARGET AUDIENCES: Some trips to collect fossils have included students from plant biology classes at North Carolina State University. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The findings are adding to the regional picture of the Late Cretaceous age flora on both a macro- 9intact plant organs) and micro- (pollen, spores, algae and other palynomorphs) scale. The flora was dominated by conifers and angiosperms, with incidental presence of ferns. Palynomorph data also shows a significant presence of fungi and algae, indicating a wet environment. These data are beginning to show a clearer picture of the age of these sediments and information is now emerging about the paleoclimate of the region.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Late Cretaceous fossil plant material has been collected from the Neuse River, Tar River and Willis Creek localities. Analysis continues of this material and of material collected near Smithfield. The Willis Creek material has yielded additional material in the study of a Late Cretaceous conifer cone and the Neuse River cutoff locality has provided pollen samples and additional cuticular remains of both gymnosperm and angiosperm fossils. PARTICIPANTS: Research collaboration has continued with Dr. Madhumi Mitra, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland at Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland. TARGET AUDIENCES: Some trips to collect fossils have included students from plant biology classes at North Carolina State University. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
the findings are adding to the regional picture of the Late Cretaceous age flora on both a macro-(intact plant organs) and micro- (palynomorphs) scale. The flora was dominated by conifers and angiosperms, with incidental presence of ferns. Palynomorph data also shows a significant presence of fungi and algae, indicating a wet environment. These data are beginning to show a clearer picture of the age of these sediments and informationis now emerging about the paleoclimate of the region.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Late Cretaceous are fossil plant material has been collected from the Neuse River, Willis Creek, and Smithfield localities. Analysis continues of this material. The Willis Creek material has yielded additional material in the study of a Late Cretaceous conifer cone, the Neuse River Cutoff locality has provided additional cuticular remains of both gymnosperm and angiosperm fossils, and the Smithfield locality may have new information on regional palynology. This work is being done in collaboration with Dr. Madhumi Mitra, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland at Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: Collaboration on collecting has been undertaken with Douglas P. Jensen, Assistant Professor and Chair of Biology, Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina; collaboration on research is continuing with Dr. Madhumi Mitra, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland at Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland TARGET AUDIENCES: Some trips to collect fossils have included students from plant biology classes at North Carolina State University. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
This project is designed to increase our knowledge of the Late Cretaceous flora of North Carolina. Collecting and processing of this material is necessary for gathering data for analysis. As more information is assembled, a more comprehensive picture of this past flora emerges.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Late Cretaceous are fossil plant material has been collected from the Neuse River and Willis Creek localities. Analysis continues of this material and of material collected from a locality near Smithfield. The Willis Creek material has yielded additional material in the study of a Late Cretaceous conifer cone and the Neuse River Cutoff locality has provided additional cuticular remains of both gymnosperm and angiosperm fossils. PARTICIPANTS: Collaboration on collecting has been undertaken with Douglas P. Jensen, Assistant Professor and Chair of Biology, Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina; collaboration on research is continuing with Dr. Madhumi Mitra, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland at Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland TARGET AUDIENCES: Some trips to collect fossils have included students from plant biology classes at North Carolina State University. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The findings are adding to the regional picture of the Late Cretaceous age flora on both a macro- (intact plant organs) and micro- (palynomorphs) scale. The flora was dominated by conifers and angiosperms, with incidental presence of ferns. Palynomorphs has, in recent studies, shown a clearer picture of the age of these sediments and information is now emerging about the paleoclimate of the region.

Publications

• No publications reported this period