Plant Taphonomy

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Publications with Students

  • BOLD indicates Graduate Student co-author
  • BOLD ITALICS indicates Undergraduate Student co-author
    •  Gastaldo, R.A., Gensel, P., Glasspool, I., Hinds, S.J., King, O.A., Park, A.F., and Stimson, M.R., 2024, To rush into the secret house of death; the fate of a Tournaisian plant: GEOLOGY, v. 136, p. ***-***.  https://doi.org/10.1130/G52348.1 (Gold Open Access)
    • Glasspool, I.J. and Gastaldo, R.A., 2024, Through fire, and through water, an abundance of Mid-Devonian charcoal: PALAIOS, v. 39, p, ***-***. https://dx.doi.org/10.2110/palo.2024.009 (Gold Open Access)
    • Gastaldo, R.A., and Bamford, M., 2023, The influence of time and taphonomy on the paleobotanical record of the Permian—Triassic transition of the Karoo Basin (and elsewhere): Journal of African Earth Sciences, 204 (2023) 104960   (Gold Open Access) DOI:doi.org/10.1016/f.fafrearsci.2023.104960 
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Wan, M., and Yang, W., 2023, The taphonomic character, occurrence, and persistence of upper Permian–Lower Triassic plant assemblages in the mid-paleolatitudes, Bogda Mountains, western China: PALAIOS, v. 38, p. 1-21. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2110/palo.2022.025
    • Glasspool, I.J., and Gastaldo, R.A., 2022, A baptism by fire: fossil charcoal from eastern Euramerica reveals the earliest (Homerian) terrestrial biota evolved in a flammable world: Geological Society of London, jgs2022-072. (Open Access) https://doi-org.colby.idm.oclc.org/10.1144/jgs2022-072
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 2012, Taphonomic Controls on the Distribution of Palynomorphs in Tidally-influenced Coastal Deltaic Settings: PALAIOS, v. 27, p. 798-810. doi:10.2110/palo.2012.p12-030r
    • Gastaldo, R.A., and Demko, T.M., 2010, Long term hydrology controls the plant fossil record: in Allison, P.A., and Bottjer, D.J., eds., Taphonomy, Second Edition: Processes and Bias Through Time: Topics in Geobiology, v. 32, p. 249-286 (doi 10.1007/978-90-481-8643-3_7)
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 2010, Peat or No Peat: Why do the Rajang and Mahakam Deltas Differ?: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 83, p. 162-172. (doi; 10.1016/j.coal.2010.01.005)
    • Daly, R.G., and Gastaldo, R.A., 2010, The Effect of Orientation to growing-season sunlight on stomatal parameters of Quercus rubra around the Belgrade Lakes, Central Maine: PALAIOS, v. 25, p. 339-346.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 2007, TAPHONOMY: in Parker, S.P., ed., McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. 10th Edition (updated and revised).
    • Gastaldo, R.A., and Degges, C.W., 2007, Sedimentology and Paleontology of a Carboniferous Log Jam: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 69, p. 103-118.
    • Allen, J.P., and Gastaldo, R.A., 2006, Sedimentology and taphonomy of the Early to Middle Devonian plant-bearing beds of the Trout Valley Formation, Maine: in DiMichele, W.A., and Greb, S., eds., Wetlands Through Time: Geological Society of America, Special Publication 399, p. 57-78.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Adendorff, R., Bamford, M.K., Labandeira, Neveling, J., and Sims, H.J., 2005, Taphonomic Trends of Macrofloral Assemblages Across the Permian-Triassic Boundary, Karoo Basin, South Africa: PALAIOS, v. 20, p. 478-497. (doi 10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.03.052)
    • Gee, C.T., and Gastaldo, R.A., 2005, Sticks & Mud, Fruits & Nuts, Leaves & Climate: Plant Taphonomy Comes of Age: PALAIOS, v. 20, p. 415-418.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 2004, The relationship between bedform and log orientation in a Paleogene fluvial channel, Weisselster basin, Germany: Implications for the use of coarse woody debris for paleocurrent analysis: PALAIOS, v. 19, p. 595-606.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Stevanovic-Walls, I., and Ware, W.N., 2004, In Situ, Erect Forests Are Evidence for Large-Magnitude, Coseismic Base-Level Changes within Pennsylvanian Cyclothems of the Black Warrior Basin, USA: in Pashin, J.C., and Gastaldo, R.A., eds., Coal-bearing Strata: Sequence Stratigraphy, Paleoclimate, and Tectonics: AAPG Studies in Geology, v. 51, p. 219-238.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 2001, Plant Taphonomy: in Briggs, D.E.G. and Crowther, P.R., eds. Palaeobiology II: Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, UK. p. 314-317.
    • Behrensmeyer, A.K., Kidwell, S.M., and Gastaldo, R.A., 2000, Taphonomy and Paleobiology. Paleobiology, v. 26 (No. 4), p. 103-147.
    • Gastaldo, R.A. and Staub, J.R., 1999, A Mechanism to Explain the Preservation of Leaf Litters Lenses in Coals Derived from Raised Mires. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 149, p. 1-14.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1999, Collection and Analysis Techniques for Paleoecological Studies in Coastal-Deltaic Setting: in Jones, T.P. and Rowe, N.P., eds., Fossil Plants and Spores: Modern Techniques: Geological Society, London, p. 279-284.
    • Gastaldo, R.A. and Staub, J.R., 1997, Water Column and Grab Sample Palynofacies Assemblages from the Rajang River Delta, Sarawak, East Malaysia: PALYNOLOGY, v.21, p. 145-171.
    • Hofmann, C.C., Zetter, R., Ferguson, D.K., and Gastaldo, R.A., 1996, Taphonomishe Untersuchungen im Mobile-Delta, Alabama, USA – Teil 1: Zusammensetzung der Floren in den vershiedenen Environments: Mitteilung Abteilung Geologie und Paläontologie Landesmuseum Joanneum, v. 54, p. 93-111.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1996, Palynofacies of the Wetland Soils in the Temperate-Subtropical Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, in Rich, R., Chmura, G., and Gastaldo, R. A. Palynology of Wetland Environments of the Southern United States, Ninth International Palynological Congress Field Trip Guidebook, Houston, TX., A3:1-37.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Feng, Weiwei, and Staub, J.R., 1996, Palynofacies Patterns in Channel Deposits of the Rajang River and Delta, Sarawak, East Malaysia: PALAIOS, v. 11, p. 266-279.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Walther, H., Rabold, J. and Ferguson, D., 1996, Criteria to distinguish parautochthonous leaves in Cenophytic alluvial channel-fills: Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, v. 91, p. 1-21.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Pfefferkorn, H.W. and DiMichele, W.A., 1995, Taphonomic and Sedimentologic Characterization of “Roof-Shale” floras, in Lyons, P., Wagner, R.H. and Morey, E., eds. Historical Persepctive of Early Twentieth Century Carboniferous Paleobotany in North America. Geological Society of America Memoir 185, p. 341-352. Note: This is a large 38MB .pdf file!
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1994, The genesis and sedimentation of phytoclasts with examples from coastal environments in A. Traverse, ed. Sedimentation of Organic Particles. Cambridge University Press. Chapter 7, pp. 103-127.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Allen, G.P., and Huc, A.Y., 1993, Detrital peat formation in the tropical Mahakam River delta, Kalimantan, eastern Borneo: Formation, plant composition, and geochemistry in Cobb, J.C., and Cecil, C.B., eds., Modern and Ancient Coal-forming Environments. Geological Society of America Special Paper 286, p. 107-118.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1992, Taphonomic considerations for plant evolutionary investigations: The Palaeobotanist, v. 41, p. 211-223.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., and Huc, A.Y., 1992, Sediment facies, depositional environments, and distribution of phytoclasts in the Recent Mahakam River delta, Kalimantan, Indonesia: PALAIOS, v. 7(6), p. 574-591.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1992, Plant taphonomic character of the Late Carboniferous Hamilton Quarry, Kansas, USA: Preservational modes of walchian conifers and implied relationships for residency time in aquatic environments. in J. Kovar-Eder, ed. Palaeovegetational Development in Europe and Regions Relevent to its Palaeofloristic Evolution. Museum of Natural History Vienna, p. 393-399.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1992, Regenerative growth in fossil horsetails (Calamites) following burial by Alluvium: Historical Biology, v. 6(3), p. 203-220.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1990, Phytotaphocoenoses in Late Quaternary temperate and tropical coastal deltaic regimes. Paleofloristic and paleoclimatic changes in the Cretaceous and Tertiary. in E. Knobloch and Z. Kvaek, eds. Proceedings of the International Symposium – Paleofloristic and Paleoclimatic Changes in the Cretaceous and Tertiary. International Geological Correlation Programme Project No. 216: Global Biological Events in Earth History. Geological Survey of Czechoslovakia, Prague. p. 285-290.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1990, The paleobotanical character of log assemblages necessary to differentiate blow-downs resulting from cyclonic winds: PALAIOS, v. 5(5), p. 472-478.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1989, Processes of incorporation of plant parts in deltaic coastal sedimentary environments: Implications for paleoecological restorations. Compte Rendu XIth International Carboniferous Congress of Stratigraphy & Geology, Beijing, China. V. 3, p. 109-120.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Demko, T.M., Liu, Y., Keefer, W.D., and Abston, S.L. , 1989, Biostratinomic processes for the development of of mud-cast logs in Carboniferous and Holocene swamps: PALAIOS, v. 4, p. 356-365.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1989, Introduction: Review of Palaeobotany & Palynology, v. 58(1), p. 1-4.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., Bearce, S.C., Degges, C., Hunt, R.J., Peebles, M.W., and Violette, D.L., 1989, Biostratinomy of a Holocene oxbow lake: A backswamp to mid-channel transect: Review of Palaeobotany & Palynology, v. 58(1), p. 47-60.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1989, Preliminary observations on phytotaphonomic assemblages in a subtropical/temperate Holocene bayhead delta: Mobile Delta, Gulf Coastal Plain, Alabama: Review of Palaeobotany & Palynology, v. 58(1), p. 61-84.
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1988, A Conspectus of Phytotaphonomy: in DiMichele, W.A., and Wing, S.L., eds., Methods and Applications of Plant Paleoecology: Notes for a Short Course: Paleontological Society Special Publication 3, p. 14-28. 1986_Conspectus_of_phytotaphonomy
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1986, Selected aspects of plant taphonomic processes in coastal deltaic regimes, in Broadhead, T.W. (Ed.), Fossil Land Plants: Notes for a Short Course (sponsored by The Paleontological Society): University of Tennessee, Department of Geological Sciences, Studies in Geology 15, p. 27-44. 1986_Coastal_Deltaic_Taphonomy
    • Gastaldo, R.A., 1985, Plant Accumulating Deltaic Depositional Environments. Field Trip Guide, Paleobotanical Section, Botanical Society of America Meetings, 8-11 August: Auburn University Continuing Education. Alabama Geological Survey Reprint Series 66, 35 p.