Miocene (Burdigalian) coastal lowland vegetation and palaeoclimate based on a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Els Cardscolers site, Majorca, Spain

Abstract

The early Miocene (Burdigalian) macroflora of the Els Cardscolers site (Majorca Island, Balearic Islands province, Spain) is studied here from a palaeoecological and taxonomical perspective. The study shows the presence of a palaeotropical flora with thermophilic and hygrophilic elements characteristic of a coastal wetland environment, formed by monocotyledons, Lygodium gaudinii, palms (Sabalites sp.), a predominance of shrubs with Myrica lignitum and the presence of accessory elements such as Berberis kymeana, Engelhardia orsbergensis, Ziziphus paradisiaca, Sapotacites minor and Myrica longifolia. Arboreal taxa like Lauraceae or Fagaceae and some Fabaceae species were also present. The temperature values obtained by CLAMP analysis are as follows: MAT: 17.6–19.9 °C, WMMT: 24.3–27.07 °C, and CMMT: 10.4–14.2 °C. These findings suggest a warm climate with little temperature seasonality. Precipitation values (e.g., GSP, MMGSP, Three_WET, and Three_DRY) suggest the absence of a summer-dry regime although a clear contrast in precipitation is inferred. The inferred climate is similar to that of other coeval regions of Southern Europe, although it stands out for its high values of CMMT. It is similar to the climate of the island of Evia in Greece. From a floristic point of view, the Els Cardscolers flora is similar to the Burdigalian site of Cristo Rei (Portugal), and a clear relationship with the floral complex of Ipolytarnóc-Luzern (Hungary) also can be inferred.