Very large plant and root traces from the Early to Middle Devonian: Implications for early terrestrial ecosystems and atmospheric p(CO2)

Research Article| February 01, 1998 Very large plant and root traces from the Early to Middle Devonian: Implications for early terrestrial ecosystems and atmospheric p(CO2) Jennifer M. Elick; Jennifer M. Elick 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Steven G. Driese; Steven G. Driese 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Claudia I. Mora Claudia I. Mora 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1998) 26 (2): 143–146. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0143:VLPART>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jennifer M. Elick, Steven G. Driese, Claudia I. Mora; Very large plant and root traces from the Early to Middle Devonian: Implications for early terrestrial ecosystems and atmospheric p(CO2). Geology 1998;; 26 (2): 143–146. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0143:VLPART>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Plant and root traces from the Fort Prével Member of the Battery Point Formation (late Early Devonian, Emsian), Gaspé Bay, Québec (Canada), are larger and more complex than previously postulated for land plants of this time. The traces are preserved as clay- and silt-lined casts in or near growth position and provide evidence that early vascular land plants achieved substantial stature (2–3 m) and were capable of deep rooting (to nearly 1 m). The root traces and alluvial deposits in which they occur suggest increased landscape stabilization and root system and paleosol morphologies that were influenced by a water-stressed, episodically energetic environment. Early Devonian plants of such large stature may have been partly responsible for initiation of a steep decline in atmospheric p(CO2), through organic carbon burial and accelerated terrestrial weathering. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.