Assessment of Phytogeographic Reference Regions for Cenozoic vegetation: a case study on the Miocene flora of Wiesa (Germany)

During the Miocene Climatic Optimum, a global long-term warm interval, European mid-latitude regions experienced subtropical palaeoclimate. In particular, areas in eastern Germany were part of vegetational zone with evergreen broadleaved forests, characterized by taxa. Regional palaeofloristic concepts denominated this palaeovegetation Younger Mastixioideae Flora sensu Mai (1964). Type assemblage is late Early flora Wiesa. Here, we reevaluate its floristic composition respect to nearest living relatives fossil-taxa, and introduce new approach Phytogeographic Reference Region Assessment (PRRA) ascertain area most similar extant vegetation for Wiesa assemblage. The southern belt SE Asian forest transition tropical mountain SW China represent vegetation. compared two diverse plant macroassemblages from Oligocene Late Miocene, respectively, coming same region palaeoenvironmental setting. It demonstrated that diversity abundances taxa markedly increased towards specific climate-sensitive occurred. regional palaeoclimate was subtropical-humid (Köppen-Trewartha type Cf), growing season eleven months long. climates mainly distinct nine-month lengths cooler winters (1–3 °C).