A palynomorph ecological model for the Late Paleozoic successions of Indian coal deposits with special emphasis on Godavari Valley Coalfield: Conception and configuration

Abstract

Abstract Based on the distribution of the vegetation and integration of the megafloral, palynological and micropalaeobotanical pieces of information, a palaeocommunity model is designed that may allow the detailed interpretations of the quantitative palynomorphs distribution patterns in the Permian (Asselian-Changhsingian) succession of the Indian coal deposits in terms of the variable palaeoenvironments with fluctuating water levels. The conceptual model is based on the identification of the Palynomorphs Ecogroups (PEGs) that reflect broad co-existing plant communities, adverse climatic, floodplain-swamp, lake/pond, stress-tolerant, swamp-floodplain, swamp-marsh, unknown affinity, upland and wide habitat PEGs. In successive palynological assemblages, shifts in the predominance and the sun-dominance of PEGs are thought to be the indicator of the water level fluctuations. Palaeoclimatic shifts may be predicted through significant fluctuations within the quantitative compositions of the individual PEGs.