OFR 151.pdf - CRC LEME

Inferred climate
As for regions to the west along an Australo-Antarctic Rift System, the collapse of
Nothofagus and reduced presence of gymnosperms and (locally) Sphagnum in southeastern
Australia (74-77 0 S) is best explained by drier (but still humid) summers and seasonally coolcold
(upper microtherm) temperatures. Cool to cold ocean currents flowing along the eastern
margin provide a link between the collapse of Nothofagus populations in the Gippsland and
Bass Basins and global cooling. Whether cooling climates are consistent with the observed
adaptive radiation of the Proteaceae is less clear.
6.2.7 Tasmania
1. Bass Basin
Microfloral successions recorded in the northern Bass Basin (A.D. Partridge and M.K.
Macphail unpublished data) and northeastern Tasmania (Moore et al. 1984) appear to be
identical to those recorded in non-marine sites in the Gippsland Basin.
Inferred climate
The data imply relatively cool (upper microtherm) temperatures and effectively drier (humid)
summers.
6.3 Other Evidence
6.3.1 North-West Australia
Shafik (1993) has noted that Maastrichtian nannofossil assemblages may have palaeoclimatic
implications.
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