Coniferous wood fossils as records of paleoecology, paleoclimatology, and paleoenvironment: A review

Abstract

Trees record a series of physiological responses to climatic and environmental changes within their wood. Consequently, quantitative and qualitative analyses of their tree growth rings enable the retrieval of past climatic and environmental information. Tree growth ring analyses have been extensively utilized in modern forestry, geography, paleoclimatology, and paleontology. This article aims to present the key proxies and anatomical characteristics that have proven valuable in various studies. Ten primary points of analysis are identified for fossil wood, including mean growth ring width, mean sensitivity, annual sensitivity, leaf life-span analysis, percentage of latewood, division of growth ring types, percentage diminution, identification of trauma signs, and solar influence, along with three different isotopes, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, for mummified material. By examining these parameters and employing these methods on fossil conifer wood, we not only gain a unique perspective on leaf longevity and phenology but also develop a more comprehensive understanding of the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic conditions during the conifer's existence. Therefore, tree growth ring analyses offer distinct advantages for investigating fossil conifer wood and facilitating subsequent climatic and environmental reconstructions.