Pannonian (Upper Miocene) Vegetational Character and Climatic Inferences in the Central Paratethys Area

Vegetation and climate are investigated based on leaf-, pollen- and seed-floras from the Central Paratethys region correlated to the Pannonian (Upper Miocene, Central Paratethys chronostratigraphi-cal stage). Waterplant-communities, reed facies, riparian forests and swamp forests can be distinguished along with forests comparable to mixed-mesophytic ones rich in species with dominance of deciduous taxa over evergreens and conifers. The percentage of evergreen species increases towards the southeast part of the investigated area. Conifer taxa are supposed to be of prevailing importance in mountainous forests. Arguments for either xeromorphic mediterranean-like vegetation or for steppe-like conditions (extensive dry grassland) are scarce and probably invalid. The fossil plant record indicates a warm-temperate climate without remarkable dry season (Cfa-type sensu KOPPEN). Zusammenfassun