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Fossils of Quercus sect. Heterobalanus can help explain the uplift of the Himalayas

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Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

Using data from previous research on Quercus sect. Heterobalanus, the coexistence approach to Xixabangma and Namling fossil sets, and altitudinal ranges of vegetation presented by fossil floras, a review and reevaluation have been made of existing theories on the uplift of the Himalayas, especially the palaeoaltitudes of Xixabangma and Namling in Tibet. The Xixabangma fossil set has a palaeoaltitude range of 2500–3500 m, and has risen 2200–3400 m since the Pliocene. The lower and upper assemblages of the Miocene Namling had palaeoaltitudes of 2500–3000 m and 2800–3000 m, respectively. Therefore, Namling has risen at least 1300 m since the Miocene, thereby challenging some existing theories that suggest Namling has been static since the Miocene.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biogeography and Biodiversity, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, China

    Zhou ZheKun, Yang QingSong & Xia Ke

  2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Yang QingSong & Xia Ke

Authors
  1. Zhou ZheKun
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  2. Yang QingSong
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  3. Xia Ke
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Correspondence to Zhou ZheKun.

Additional information

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40332021, 30670159) and Wu Zhengyi’s Splendidly Contributing Award of Yunnan Province (Grant No. KIB-WU-2001-01)

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Zhou, Z., Yang, Q. & Xia, K. Fossils of Quercus sect. Heterobalanus can help explain the uplift of the Himalayas. CHINESE SCI BULL 52, 238–247 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-007-0005-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-007-0005-7

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