Fossil flora of the Paleocene Ravenscrag Formation, southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada
Date
1989
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
The Paleocene Ravenscrag Formation of southwestern
Saskatchewan, Canada, is a lignite-bearing clay, silt, and
sand unit which, in places, bears abundant, well preserved
plant fossils. These sediments conformably overlie
Maastrichtian dinosaur-bearing deposits and are interpreted
as including the earliest Paleocene. Examination of the
fossil materials at the Ravenscrag Butte study site
indicate that the depositional environment was that of a
broad alluvial plain dominated by meandering streams,
ponds, swamps, and lowland forests. The paleoclimate was
mesothermal, humid, and without a dry season. Rain was
abundant and frost, if it occurred, was rare. A mean
annual temperature of about 150C and mean annual range in
temperature of 230C are proposed for the region giving an
effective temperature of 140C and an equability of M 49.
Forty-five distinct fossil plant species are identified and
described from these sediments, with an additional 20 types
of fossil remains described. The study of these fossil
plants indicates that during earliest Paleocene time this
region of southwestern Saskatchewan was covered with the
lush vegetation of a mainly broadleaf deciduous local
flora.
Description
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Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Biology
Program
Biology