Miocene-Pliocene Vegetation and Climate Dynamics of the Niger Delta Basin Based on Palynological Signatures

Abstract

The palaeoclimate is interpreted on the basis of the identified palynomorphs in the light of their ecological preferences.The problem of how to recognize the effect of changes in climate in the stratigraphical distribution patterns of the many species studied was approached in a direct way by botanical identification of fossil pollen and spore types with the extant parent plants or nearest living relatives, which have well-defined climatological tolerances. The Miocene-Pliocene Paleoenvironment in the southwestern offshore of the Niger Delta  fluctuates from marginal marine (inner shelf) and swampy freshwater to slightly brackish water environment in a humid condition. Regional climate is interpreted as warm and humid, with mangrove communities dominating.

Keywords: Paleoclimate, Palynomorphs, Vegetation, Niger delta, Miocene-Pliocene