Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fossil history and modern distribution of the genus Abies (Pinaceae)

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Forestry in China

Abstract

The plants of the genus Abies are dominant and key species in the dark coniferous forest in the Northern Hemisphere. There are 52 species, one subspecies and 12 varieties in the genus Abies in the world. The history and modern distribution of Abies were discussed. The genus has three modern distribution centers: South Europe, North America and East Asia. These areas are also rich in fossil records. The vertical distribution regions of Abies are from sea level to an elevation of 4,700 m, concentrated in 1,000–2,000 m (15 species). In China, the genus distributes in 20 provinces, especially abundant in the Hengduan Mountains. Meanwhile, endemic and relic phenomena are obvious in this genus. There are seven relic species with both limited individuals and limited distributed regions. Based on the fossil records and the latest phylogenetic data, the following hypothesis was proposed: Abies originated from the middle and high altitudes of the Northern Hemisphere in the middle Cretaceous and it was dispersed southward in the Eocene due to global climate cooling down. The distribution of Abies was deeply influenced by geological events such as the uplift of Himalaya, the Alps, the Rocky Mountains, the occurrence of the Asian Monsoon as well as the Quaternary glaciers. Finally, the current distribution pattern appeared in the Quaternary. The genus Abies has a fossil history and modern distribution pattern similar to that of Cathaya and Pseudolarix.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Axelrod D I (1956). Mio-Pliocene flora from west-central Nevada. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences, 33: 1–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelrod D I (1991). The Early Miocene buffalo canyon flora of western Nevada. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences, 135: 1–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelrod D I (1998). The Oligocene Haynes creek flora of eastern Idaho. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences, 143: 1–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Bean W J (1976). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles. London: the Royal Horticultural Society, 143–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker H F (1969). Fossil plants of the Tertiary beaverhead basins in southwestern Montana. Palaeontographica Abteilung B, 127: 1–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Budantsev L Y (1992). Early stages of formation and dispersal of the temperate flora in the boreal region. Bot Rev, 58(1): 1–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Callen G (1976). Les Coniferes cultivés en Europe, Vol. 1. In: Baliére ed. collection des techniques horticoles spécialisées, France, 56–130

  • Cen Q Y, Miao R H, Liao W B (1996). The study of Subfamily Abietoideae (Pinaceae) Flora from China. Suppl J Sun Yatsen Univ, 2: 87–92 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen X Q (1987). The study of two different types of dark conifer forests at present and in the late glacial period and the significance. Sci Geograph Sin, 7(3): 223–230 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury K A (1974). Abies and Picea Morphological Studies. Dslhi: Delhi Printer, 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Dallimore W, Jackson A B (1966). A Handbook of the Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae, 4th ed (revised by Harrison S G). New York: St. Martin’s Press, 45–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Farjon A (1998). World Checklist and Bibliography of Conifers. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 103-130

  • Farjon A, Rushforth K D (1989). A classification of Abies Miller (Pinaceae). Notes RBG, 46(1): 59–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson S K (1967). On the phytogeography of coniferales in the European Cenozoic. Paleogeogr Paleclim Palaaeoecol, 3(1): 73–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Florin R (1963). The distribution of conifer and Taxad genera in time and space. Acta Horti Berg, 20(4): 122–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu L K (1992). China Plant Red Book. Beijing: Science Press, 50–62 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu L K, Chen T Q, Lang K Y, ed (2000). Higher Plant of China. Qingdao: Qingdao Press, 19–29 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu L K, Li N, Thomas S E (1999). Abies. In: Li A L, ed. Flora of China, Vol. 4. Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden, 44–52 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu L K, Lu Y J, Mo L X (1980). The genus Abies discoverd for the first time in Guangxi and Hunan. Acta Phytotax Sin, 18(2): 205–210 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • He S Y, Xing Q Y, Yin Z T, ed (1992). Flora of Beijing. Beijing: Science Press, 51–52 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt S R (1993). Abies. In: The Editorial Committee of Flora of North America, ed. Flora of North America, Vol. 2. New York: Oxford University Press, 354–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Kong Z C, Tu N C (1984). The macrofossil plants and pollen assemblages on the last glacial in Sanjiang plain. Sci Geogr Sin, 4(1): 76–80 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kong Z C, Tu N C, Shi Y C (1976). Vegetational and climatic changes in Peking during the past one hundred million years. Acta Phytotax Sin, 14(1): 78–89 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kremp G O W (1957). Catalog of Fossil Spores and Pollen, Vol. 1. Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University, 63–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Kremp G O W (1958). Catalog of Fossil Spores and Pollen, Vol. 4. Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University, 114

    Google Scholar 

  • Kremp G O W (1959). Catalog of Fossil Spores and Pollen, Vol. 8. Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University, 112

    Google Scholar 

  • Kremp G O W (1967). Catalog of Fossil Spores and Pollen, Vol. 26. Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University, 115

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuan C T (1981). Fundamental features of the distribution of coniferae in Sichuan. Acta Phytotax Sin, 19(4): 393–407 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunming Istitute of Botany, ed (1986). Flora of Yunnan, Vol. 4. Beijing: Science Press, 21–29 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakhanpal R N (1958). The Rujada Flora of west central Oregon. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences, 35(1): 1–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakhanpal R N, Maheshwari H K, Awasthi N (1976). Catalogue of Indian Fossil Plants. Lucknow: Prem Printing Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Landry P (1984). Synopsis du genre Abies. Lettres Botaniques (Paris), 3: 223–229

    Google Scholar 

  • LePage B A, Basinger J F (1995). Evolutionary history of the genus Pseudolarix. Intl J Plant Sci, 156: 910–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li N (1993). Biogeography studies on the family Pinaceae. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Nanjing: Nanjing Forestry University (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li N (1995). Studies on the geography distribution, origin and dispersal of the Family Pinaceae Lindl. Acta Phytotax Sin, 33(2): 105–130 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li N, Fu L K, Zhu Z K (1996). Studies on systematic of the family Pinaceae Lindl. (I). Bull Bot Res, 16(1): 32–45 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W B (1984). Early-Cretacous spore-pollen assemblages from Jiaohe, Jilin. In: China Academica Science Philology of Institute of Geology and Paleontology, No. 19. Beijing: Science Press, 67–142 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W Y, Wu H F (1978). A palynological investigation on the Late Tertiary and Early Quarternary and its significance in the palaeogeographical study in central Yunnan. Acta Geograph Sin, 33(2): 142–155 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W Y, Liang Y L (1981). The Pliocene sporo-pollen assemblage of Huanghua in Hebei plain and its significance in palaeobotany and palaeogeography. Acta Phytotax Sin, 23(6): 478–486 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li X X, ed (1995). Geological Period Flora of China. Guangzhou: Guangdong Science and Technology Press (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu M L (1990). The Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary spore-pollen assemblages series from NE China. J Stratigr, 14(4): 277–285 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu T S (1971). A Monography of the Genus Abies. Taipei: Department of Forestory College of Agriculture National Taiwan University

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y S, Basinger J (2000). Fossil Cathaya (Pinaceae) pollen from the Canadian high Arctic. Int J Plant Sci, 161(5): 829–847

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mai D H (1997). Die oberoligozanen Floren am Nordrand der Sachsischen Laustiz. Palaeontographica Abteilung B, 244(1–6): 1–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Mai D H (2001). Die mittelmiozaenen und obermiozaenen floren aus der Meurorer und Raunoer Folge in der Lausitz. III. Fundstellen und Palaeobiologie Palaeontographica Abteilung B, 258: 1–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer H W, Manchester S R (1997). The oligocene bridge Creek flora of the Lohn Day Formation, Oregon. University of Califonia Publicationa in Geological Science, 141: 1–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller C N (1977). Mesozoic conifers. Bot Rev, 43: 217–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Momohara A (2005). Paleoecology and history of Metasequoia in Japan, with reference to its extinction and survival in East Asia. In: LePage, Christopher, Yang, ed. The Geobiology and Ecology of Metasequoia. The Netherlands: Springer, 115–136

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Moore D M (1982). Flora Europaea-Checklist and Chromosome Index. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 45

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouden, B (1978). Manual of Cultiivated Conifers. Photomechanical Reprint, London

  • Packer G J(1985). Flora of Alberta. Tornoto: University of Tornoto Press, 46–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson E B (2002). Palynology of the Aquidludes of fossil Gulch, Hagerman Fossils Beds National Monument, Hangerman, Idaho. Park Paleon, 6(1): 2

    Google Scholar 

  • Rushforth K (1987). Conifers. New York: Oxford, 71–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoggan H J (1979). The Flora of Canada, Part 2: Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae, Monocotyledoneae. National museums of Canada, 178–179

  • Shi Y A, Li J J, Li B Y (1999). Uplift of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) plateau and East Asia environmental change during Late Cenozoic. Acta Geogr Sin, 54(1): 10–21 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Song Z C, Cao L, Li M Y (1964). The Tertiary spore-pollen from Shandong. In: Wu W S, Li P J, Song Z C, Cao L, Li M Y. China Academica Science Philology of Institute of Geology and Paleontology, No. 3. Beijing: Science Press, 179–290 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Song Z C, Liu J L (1982). The Tertiary spore-pollen from Nanmulin, Tibet. In: Chinese Academy of Sciences, the State Forestry Administration and Agriculture Administration, eds. (1999). The First List of State Key Conserved Wild Plants. Beijing: Science Press, 153–164 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stace C (1991). New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 48–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun H (2002). Evolution of Arctic-Tertiary flora in Himalayan-Hengduan Mountains. Acta Bot Yunnan, 24(6): 671–688 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun X J, Wang P X (2005). How old is the Asian monsoon system?—Palaeobotanical records from China. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol, 222: 181–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takhtajian (1986). Floristic Regions of the World. Berkeley: University of California Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanai T, Suzzuki N (1965). Late Tertiary flora from Northeastern Hokkaido, Japan. Palaeon Soc Jap, 10: 1–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao J R (1992). The Tertiary vegetation and flora and floristic regions in China. Acta Phytotax Sin, 30(1): 25–43 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao J R, ed (2000). China Cretaceous-Cenozoic Flora Evolution. Beijing: Science Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao J R, Kong Z C (1973). The fossil florule and sporo-pollen assemblage of the Shang-In coal series of Erhyuan, Yunana. Acta Phytotax Sin, 15(1): 120–126 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editor Board of Flora of Xinjiang (1992). Flora of Xinjiang, Vol. 1. Urumqi: Xinjiang Science and Health Press, 54 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editorial Board of Cenozoic Plants of China (1978). Plant fossils of China (No. 3): The Cenozoic plants of China. Beijing: Science Press (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editorial Board of Flora of China (1978). Flora of China, Vol. 7. Beijing: Science Press, 59–94 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editorial Board of Flora of Hunan (2000). Flora of Hunan, Vol. 2. Changsha: Hunan Science and Technology Press, 10–11 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editorial Board of Flora of Shanxi (1992). Flora of Shanxi. Hefei: China Science and Technology Press, 147–149 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editorial Board of Flora of Sichuan (1983). Flora of Sichuan, Vol. 2. Chengdu: Sichuan People Press, 27–48 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editorial Board of Flora of Zhejiang (1986). Flora of Zhejiang, Vol. 1: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Hangzhou: Zhejiang Science and Technology Press, 344–346 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • The Editorial Board of The Chinese Nature Geology (1983). Chinese Nature Geology—Phytogeology. Beijing: Science Press (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiffney B H (1985). The Eocene north Atlantic land bridge: Its importance in Tertiary and modern phytogeography of the Northern Hemisphere. J Arn Arb, 66: 243–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Velichkevich F Y, Mamakowa K (2003). Revision of plant macrofossils from the Mazovian interglacial locality Nowiny Zukowskie (SE Poland). Acta Palaeobot, 43(1): 61–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang H S, ed (1992). Floristic. Beijing: Science Press (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang W M (1992). Palynofloristic changes in the Neogene of south China. Acta Micropalaeontolog Sin, 9(1): 81–95 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu S W, Li P J, Song Z C, Cao L, Li M Y (1964). China AcademicaScience Philology of Institute of Geology and Paleontology, No. 3. Beijing: Science Press (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Z Y (1991). The areal-types of Chinese genera of seed plants. Acta Bot Yunnan, (Suppl 4): 1–139 (in Chinese)

  • Wu Z Y, Wu S G (1996). A proposal for a new floristic kingdom (realm)—the E. Asiatic kingdom, its delineation and characteristics. In: Zhang A L, Wu S G, Raven P H, Iwatsuki K, Kubitzki K. Floristic Characteristic and Diversity of east Asian plants. Beijing: China Higher Education Press; Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 40–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia Y M, Wang P F (1987). The paleobotany and paleoclimate in the songer plain: A study on the late Tertiary-Pleiotocene spore pollen assemble. Acta Geograph Sin, 42(2): 165–178 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiang Q P (2000). Systematic studies on the genus Abies. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Beijing: Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiang Q P (2001). A preliminary survey on the distribution of rare and endangered plants of Abies in China. Guihaia, 21(2): 113–117 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ying T S (1989). Areography of the gymnosperms of China (I)-Distribution of the Pinaceae of China. Acta Phytotax Sin, 27(1): 27–38 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu Z J, Huang D C (1993). The definition and spore-pollen assemblages of Huaibei plain. J Stratigr, 17(3): 202–209 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng W B (1989). Plate tectonics on the relation between the flora of the southern China and the North America. J Xiamen Univ (Nat Sci), 23(4): 410–41 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng W B (1994). The passage-way of the flora migration on both sides of the Taiwan strait in Pleistocene Epoch. Acta Bot Yunnan, 16(2): 107–110 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z K, Momohara A (2005). Fossil history of some endemic seed plants of East Asia and its phytogeographical significance. Acta Bot Yannan, 27(5): 449–470

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, China

    Xiang Xiaoguo & Zhou Zhekun

  2. Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region and Academia Sinica, Guilin, 541006, China

    Cao Ming

Authors
  1. Xiang Xiaoguo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cao Ming
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhou Zhekun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhou Zhekun.

Additional information

__________

Translated from Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 2006, 28(5): 439–452 [译自: 云南植物研究]

About this article

Cite this article

Xiang, X., Cao, M. & Zhou, Z. Fossil history and modern distribution of the genus Abies (Pinaceae). Front. Forest. China 2, 355–365 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-007-0058-4

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11461-007-0058-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation