Abigail Kohn
Pronouns: She/her
Research Mentor(s): Selena Smith
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences / LSA
Program:
Authors: Abigail Kohn, Selena Smith
Session: Session 1: 9:00 am – 9:50 am
Poster: 86
Abstract
The Late Cretaceous was an abnormally warm period in Antarctica’s history, caused by global warming and greenhouse gases similar to those experienced today. During this time, the Antarctic paleoclimate trapped enough heat to support a thriving rainforest ecosystem, one entirely unique from any modern biome. Fossilized trees from these forests hold records of their ecosystem’s climate and biodiversity, and can be identified based on microscopic anatomical characteristics present in their wood in order to trace their diversification. For this project, nine samples were studied originating from islands off the coast of the Antarctic peninsula. Slides were made using cellulose acetate peels and thin sections of the wood, which allowed for the comparison of features between living and extinct species through the InsideWood database and previous literature. Of the nine samples examined, two were found to be gymnosperms, six represent dicotyledonous angiosperms, and one was too poorly preserved to be classified. From the eight adequately-preserved samples at least three distinct morphotaxa are identified, with the best preserved sample hypothesized to belong to the Nothofagaceae family. By tracing lineages through space and time these fossil woods can inform us about the plant biodiversity of these ancient forests and how they responded to their unique environment.
