Boyd, Kelsey, Cordova, Carlos, Cadd, Haidee, Rowe, Cassandra, and Cohen, Tim (2024) Woody plant phytolith morphology and representation in surface sediments across the Northern Territory, Australia. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 329. 105158.

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Abstract

Phytoliths are a good tool for investigating vegetation change in northern Australia. However, there is a lack of phytolith reference material across the Australian continent, particularly for woody plants. The development of reference material from woody plants is critical to understand regional patterns of phytolith production and preservation. This study analyses phytolith material from 40 woody plants to examine morphological and anatomical variation in phytolith production among Australian plant families. This is paired with phytolith assemblages from nine surface sediment samples to assess the representation and preservation of woody plant phytolith morphotypes. All woody plant species examined produce identifiable phytolith morphotypes, but most morphotypes cannot be differentiated between woody eudicots, monocots, and conifers. However, some woody plant morphotypes do have good potential for taxonomic or anatomical discrimination of plant groups. The analysis of surface sediment phytolith assemblages reveals that not all woody plant morphotypes preserve equally in surface sediments, potentially restricting their ability for taxonomic discrimination. Finally, the relevance of phytolith morphotypes for palaeoecological reconstruction is discussed.

Item ID:	83356
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0034-6667
Keywords:	Biogenic silica; Morphotypes; Eudicots; Trees; Acacia
Copyright Information:	© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Funders:	Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants:	ARC CE170100015, ARC FL140100044
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2024 06:58
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310306 Palaeoecology @ 50% 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310308 Terrestrial ecology @ 25% 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4102 Ecological applications > 410203 Ecosystem function @ 25%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180606 Terrestrial biodiversity @ 70% 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180601 Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems @ 30%
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