Taxonomic revision and palaeoecological interpretation of the plant assemblage of Bernissart (Barremian, Belgium)

The Lower Cretaceous plant assemblage of Bernissart (Mons Basin, Belgium) was studied in detail during the 1900s, but no recent revisions have been performed. taxonomy taxa recovered from this site is updated, which includes one undetermined “aquatic plant” taxon, nine fern (Cladophlebis sp., Hausmannia dichotoma, Phlebopteris dunkeri, Matoniaceae indet., Ruffordia goeppertii, Onychiopsis psilotoides, Coniopteris Korallipteris and Weichselia reticulata), aff. genus Taeniopteris (of unknown affinity), five conifer organs (one stem, two types seed, cone, a dispersed bract). Two lithologies are identified, both consisting grey clays, with smooth surface while other more irregular. large number available specimens has permitted study species richness relative abundance locality lithologies. taphonomical analysis including preservation remains, fragment size, associations between taxa, together diversity analyses, results four assemblages: “algae” water column lake; vegetation composed closest to lake margin; Hausmannia, ferns further away conifers even depositional site. In general, at consists open vegetation, probably belonged an early successional stage that burnt frequently by wildfires.