Structural changes of herbivory during the Middle Miocene time interval in the Upper Freshwater Molasse (OSM)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Torsten Wappler
• Subject Area: Geology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 523893203

The fossil record provides unique information of the interactions of insects and plants in the form of a diversity of diagnostic traces of leaf damage reflecting insect attack. This record provides critical evidence for the impact of environmental change, including climate change, which is a major issue for mankind today. Within the Bavarian part of the North Foreland Basin, dozens of sand and gravel pits are located where sediments of a Middle Miocene fluvial system of the Upper Freshwater Molasse (OSM) are exposed. The more recently available stratigraphic resolution allows quite precise dating of the numerous fossil floras found here and thus a record of spatial and temporal vegetation changes. In this project, regional effects of climate-to-vegetation feedbacks of ecosystems during the Middle Miocene warming event (MMTO) and the subsequent cooling are investigated. Specifically, a period from 15 to 12 million years ago will be examined based on five well-studied fossil leafy floras, analyzing the types of feeding trails and thus the interactions between plants and insects. The high numbers of individuals and species in these floras allow a better understanding of environmental, climatological signals coupled with a significant variety of herbivory patterns preserved, which would definitely allow for more precise reconstructions of ecological inter-relationships. Parallels to current climate predictions and reconstructions for the Miocene show the relevance of such questions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Sweden, USA
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Benjamin Adroit; Dr. Lutz Kunzmann; Conrad Labandeira, Ph.D.; Dr. Christian Müller