W1: L4 = Palaeo Ecosystem 2 [Coal Flora] (Prof. Bamford) Flashcards
Permian of Gondwana attributes? (7)
• Evolution of therapsids.
• Change from ice cover to temperate to warm climate.
• Correlates with other basins in the huge continent.
• Extinct taxa.
• Abrupt termination.
• Coal flora (economic).
• Glossopteris flora & lower plants.
Lower plants present in Permian of Gondwana? (4)
• Ferns.
• Bryophytes.
• Lycopods.
• Sphenophytes.
Why are coal flora economic?
Coal attributes? (2)
• Non-renewable energy.
• Contributes to greenhouse gasses.
Coal flora attributes? (3)
• In N. hemisphere = Carboniferous deposits.
• In S. hemisphere (Gondwana) = Permian deposits.
• Different plants produce different coals.
Coal flora ecosystem attributes? (7)
• Late Carboniferous–Early Permian in SA (and Gondwana).
• Continental position (climate)?
• Local environment (flora)?
• Peat formation, then
• Burial of pets (accumulation), then
• Formation of coals.
• Unique ecosystem.
Groups of Coal flora/Groups of coal formations? (2)
- Dwyka group.
- Ecca group.
Dwyka group attributes? (5)
- Late Carboniferous to Early Permian.
- SA at South Pole.
- Several icesheets formed and melted.
- Icehouse to Hothouse as land moved northwards.
- Minimal plants to very many plants.
Ecca group attributes? (6)
- Early Permian.
- Karoo Basin (inland sea).
- Ice receding with climate warming.
- Presence of seas, deltas and swamps.
- Abundant vegetation.
- Very few animals and some fish.
Reconstruction of Dwyka group?
Reconstruction of Ecca group?
What do the quality, grade and type of coal depend on? (5)
- Plant material.
- Water.
- Pressure.
- Time.
- Local conditions/Environmental conditions.
Process of the formation of coal? (7)
1) Water & plants.
2) Burial & exclusion of O2.
3) Minimal degradation.
4) Peat formation.
5) Burial of peats.
6) Compression of organic matter& loss of volatiles.
7) Heat & pressure = good coals.
Important thing to note about coal formation?
Variations in the quality, quantity, texture & type of coal produced differ with different ecosystems.
Egs of how coal type, quality, etc differ with differing ecosystems? (2)
- Backswamps = in situ coal.
- Small drainage channels = drift coals.
Ecca & Beaufort plant diversity attributes? (3)
- Permian.
- New taxa.
- Common taxa (pre-Permain & post-Permian)
List of Ecca & Beaufort plant diversity [New taxa]? (4)
- Glossopteris (main focus).
- Cordaitales.
- Ginkgoales.
- Palaeovittaria.
Categories of New taxa? (2)
- Seed ferns.
- Gymnosperms.