Drzewica Formation

Drzewica Formation
Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓ [1]
The Dzikówka Sandstone Quarry outcrop of the formation
Type	Geological formation
Unit of	Kamienna Group[1]
Underlies	Ciechocinek Formation Borucice Formation[1]
Overlies	Zagaje Formation Lobez Formation Ostrowiec Formation Gielniów Formation
Thickness	Up to ~100 m (330 ft)[1]
Lithology
Primary	Siliciclastic sandstones
Other	Several types of heteroliths and mudstones
Location
Region	Szydłowiec, Southern Poland
Country	Poland
Extent	Polish Liassic Basin[1]
Type section
Named for	Drzewica, Poland
Named by	Karaszewski (as an informal unit)[2]
Drzewica Formation (Poland) Major Outcrop Location

The Drzewica Formation (also called Drzewica Series/Seria Drzewicka or Serii Drzewiekiej and in older literature Brónow Series) is a

Thanks to data from the Kaszewy 1 borehole levels of 1200 pCO₂ were recovered, thanks to Plant stomatal index, being the highest amount recovered on the whole Lower Jurassic interval.^[15] The studied strata also led to know a great variability in Total Organic Content, interpreted as result of a greater terrestrial biodegradation.^[15] This led to knowing that the lower temperatures recovered from the Polish Basin in this interval occurred in the latest Rhaetian/earliest Hettangian, the late Hettangian, early Pliensbachian and especially in the Late Pliensbachian (Stokesi, Gibbosus, Spinatum), being this last the coolest period in the whole Early Jurassic.^[15]

Sedimentological evolution

The Formation strata starts on the Polish Jurassic Depositional sequence V, that besides

The Depositional sequence VI starts on the Jagodne 1 borehole with very large Mud clasts, pointing to intensive erosion of the underlying lagoonal sediments, while on the basin center, on the Zychorzyn borehole the erosion on lower sediments was lesser aggressive.^[2] The sediments that were deposited at the start of this sequence are uniformly represented by coarse alluvial deposits, interpreted as meandering river with possible conspicuous share of bed load transport.^[2] On the Budki 1 borehole series of coarse-grained alluvial package (especially large scale tabular cross-bedding sets dominate and quartz pebbles association), can represent low-sinuosity braided channels.^[1] Another transgressive phase on this sequence led to the formation of foreshore/shoreface/barrier deposits, and a local event on the Polish Basin, where there was a rapid drowning of the palaeorelief with alluvial valleys and coastal plains, resulting in embayed coastline with detached beach/barrier ridges.^[2] There was equilibrium with the sea level, with periodical little regressions and transgressions.^[1][18] The maximum flooding range of this phase is represented by the Szydłowiec sandstones, developed on a regressive period where on Śmiłów was developed an eolian dune depositional subsystem linked with a barrier-lagoon, know due to the presence of barrier crest eolian deposits with plants buried. In this environment, the major Tracksites of the formation were developed.^[1] Linked with the Śmiłów Quarry Sandstone appear deltaic deposits on the Brody-Lubienia borehole and on Zychorzyn.^[1][18]

The Depositional sequence VII is the last Pliensbachian major sequence, know especially from the Brody-Lubienia borehole and the continuation of an alluvial portion exposed also at Śmiłów, where an exposure exhibits sequence VI/VII characters, showing that the sea level fall was not so significant, as it was in the base of the previous sequence.^[1][18] This sequence starts with a rise of sea level and quick drowning of the whole area, destroying the previous delta system/marsh subsystem development measured at the Brody-Lubienia borehole, that shows that the amplitude of this transgression was quite high, as is represented by a thickness of 16 m.^[1][18]

Śmiłów outcrop

There are several Types off Seashore Stratification seen on the Drzewica Formation. Starting with the post-Spinatum regression derived shore prograding cycle, where the nearshore deposits show detailed Hummocky cross-stratification, at the time are covered by thin beach-welded facies showing irregular “massive” bedding and numerous Plant roots penetrating down from the undulated bounding surface.^[1] Superimposed are fine grained, very well sorted Sandstones with giant tabular Cross-bedding set interpreted as beach (Backshore depositional subsystem) Eolian Dune with complete Plant remains buried in the wind-transported Sand (Mostly, Herbaceous-Built Plants). The Direction of the Wind sedimentation is clearly visible on these deposits, where the stratification of the sand is well oriented. Those deposits are abundant on the Antecki quarry.^[1] The most related to the shores, probably barrier-Lagoon and Delta depositional systems are clearly visible on the Smilów Quarry, where the exposure shows different lithofacies and strata, including fine-grained, white and light-grey Sandstones with Hummocky cross-stratification, with a series of tabular and trough Cross-bedding sets, probably related to near marine depositional subsystem.^[1] A more fine-medium-grained, grey to brownish sandstones also with flat-tabular-horizontal bedding with abundant drifted Plant Fossils and plant remains in situ is considered to be part of a clear foreshore barrier–Eolian depositional subsystem, probably related to a series of Dune fields, related to the Sea Barriers.^[1] Kaolinized grey Mudstones with abundant Dispersed plant roots are related to more lagoonal depositional subsystems.^[1] The slightly smaller and fine built, brownish and yellow Sandstones that show details Cross-bedding are related to a more alluvial deposition, probably from the influence of a local Channel.^[1] On the Main Smilów Quarry the dominant shore face depositional subsystem show detailed marks of clear Palaeocurrent directions, dispersed trough Cross-bedding inclinations that point to the West.^[1] There have been measurements of the Wave-formed ripple that approximately reflects a shoreline orientation.^[1] Thanks to the wave ripple crests orientation and the orientation of fossil tree logs it was indicated an inclination of the inclined tabular Foreset bed continuing across the whole outcrop.^[1] These Foreset bed show a more pronounced inclination thanks to seaward-dipping Clinoforms, what reflects the original inclination of a barrier slope, with the sum of palaeocurrent pointing to south-west.^[1]

Economic Resources

CO₂ Storage

Zaosie Anticline-Jeżów Anticline are two of the three structures selected as having the best conditions for geological CO₂ storage in the Bełchatów region, with several wells drilled.^[19] Both the structures are characterized by similar geological feature and petrophysical parameters of rocks, being potential reservoirs.^[19] Significant thickness, good reservoir properties and proper depth give sufficient grounds to select the Lower Jurassic sandstone levels of the Drzewica Formation.^[19]

The Sandstones of the Drzewica Formation have been object of mining since the Middle Ages, used as key material for the local construction.^[22] Two kinds are distinctive, the main Szydłowiec Sandstones and the Kunów Sandstones, mined on Śmiłów (13th century–recent), Kunów (17th–20th century).^[22] It was used by members of the Polish renaissance such as Jan Michałowicz, for some of their most well known pieces, such as the Tomb of Wolski Brothers. Kunów Sandstones have also been studied as potential geotourism attractions.^[22]

Fungi

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Xylophagous Fungi[23]	Morphotype A (Aseptae) Morphotype B (Sphaerical) Morphotype C (Sack-shaped) Morphotype D (Transverse septa) Morphotype E (Amerospore) Morphotype F (Phragmospores) Morphotype G (Dictyospores)	Brody-Lubienia borehole.[23]	Fungal Spores Hyphae-like attachments	Hyphae attachments.[23]

Paleofauna

Along the Early Jurassic, there was a mostly marginal-marine (mainly

Invertebrates

Ichnofossils

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Type	Abundance	Notes	Images
Cochlichnus[1]	Cochlichnus isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry	Traces	Fodichnia	Rare	Brackish or freshwater trace fossils. Locomotion and feeding trace of aquatic annelids, insect larvae and nematodes
Conichnus[1]	Conichnus isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry	Subcylindrical burrows	Fugichnia Domichnia	Common	Marine, brackish or freshwater tubular traces of annelids or crustaceans
Diplocraterion[1]	Diplocraterion parallelum	Kaszewy 1	U-Shaped Burrows	Fodichnia	Common	Marine trace fossils. Is often associated with successions characterised by changes of sea level. Linked with crustaceans, specially shrimps
Imbrichnus[1][16][17]	Imbrichnus isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry	Burrows	Fugichnia	Rare	Brackish or freshwater tubular burrows. Probably made by annelids, bivalves or crustaceans
Isopodichnus[1][16][17]	Isopodichnus isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry	Traces	Fodichnia	Common	Brackish or freshwater trace fossils. Locomotion and feeding trace of phyllopod and notostracan crustaceans in nonmarine environments. It represents traces with great similarity of palaeoecology, population size-frequency, morphology and behaviour of Triops cancriformis
Lockeia[1][16][17][27]	Lockeia siliquaria Lockeia amygdaloides Lockeia czarnockii	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów Quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry Wólka Karwicka Brody-Lubienia borehole	Dwelling traces	Cubichnia Domichnia	Very Abundant	Marine, brackish or freshwater resting traces of Bivalves. The Lockeia traces trend to accumulate in brackish waters on the case of the Drzewica Formation. They can occur in large aggregates, where occasionally traces present on agglomerations show a clear orientation, probably parallel to the palaeocurrent direction, which is associated with locomotion of the burrowing animal.
Scalichnus[1]	Scalichnus phiale	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry	Sac/Bottle shaped burrows	Fugichnia Domichnia	Common	Marine, brackish or freshwater tubular traces of annelids, aquatic insect larvae or crustaceans
Scolicia[1][16][17]	Scolicia isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry	Traces	Fodichnia	Common	Brackish or freshwater trace fossils. Locomotion and feeding trace of gastropods
Skolithos[1]	Skolithos isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry	Sac/Bottle shaped burrows	Domichnia	Common	Brackish tubular traces of annelids, crustaceans or insects
Spongeliomorpha[1]	Spongeliomorpha isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Podkowiński quarry Antecki quarry Brody-Lubienia borehole Kaszewy 1	Sac/Bottle shaped burrows	Domichnia	Common	Brackish tubular traces of annelids, crustaceans or insects

Bivalvia

Unidentified blackish bivalves were reported from the formation on the first report of the Tracksites. Are related with shallow lagoonar facies.[4]

Gastropoda

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Viviparus[31][30]	Viviparus spp.	Szydłowiec sandstones	Shells	A freshwater snail, type member of the family Viviparidae inside Viviparoidea. In the area of the northern and north-western edge of the Swiętokrzyskie Mountains, the sea fauna has been found sporadically, but there are several finds of freshwater forms. Viviparus main identified snail on the Formation, and a typical form associated with Deltaic-Fluvial Deposits.

Ammonites

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Tragophylloceras[33]	Tragophylloceras loscombi	Kaszewy 1 borehole	MUZ.PGI.80.VI.149, single 1,7 cm Shell.[33]	An Ammonite, member of the family Juraphyllitidae inside Ammonoidea. Latest Pliensbachian index fossil, Tragophylloceras is considered to be part of the Mediterranean-Submediterranean fossil region, but it has exceptions, with specimens coming from southern England and northwestern Germany.[33] In this case, the rocks that hosted the specimen also have poorly preserved dinoflagellate cysts, belonging to the genus Mendicodinium, that cannot expose its age beyond Late Pliensbachian.[33] This is supported by the presence of the fossil 20 m below the Lower Toarcian deposits. It looks also to be related to a large flooding surface, with the specimen being probably washed to nearshore or epicontinental waters.[33]

Crustacea

Limuloidea

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Limulidae[4][36]	Limulidae Indeterminate	Śmiłów Quarry	Unknown, only Cited	A marine/brackish Horseshoe crab, member of the family Xiphosurida . Body fossils reported from the Śmiłów Quarry tracksite include limuloid animals. Due to the environment representing a barrier/lagoonal setting, the specimens may have died during mating season. The specimens haven't been described.
Limulitella[28][37][30]	Limulitella cf. liasokeuperinus	Skarżysko-Kamienna	Head and partial upper body	A marine/brackish Horseshoe crab, member of the family Xiphosurida. Only representative Limuloid from the Lower Jurassic, Limulitella cf. liasokeuperinus was found associated with brackish and deltatic facies, related to nearshore deposits. Its affinities with the genus Limulitella has not been proved. It has been suggested as Limulitella incertae sedis, on the basis that there is not enough material to prove its affinities. The status of the species remain controversial, since the original fossil has been lost or in an unknown collection, more probably a private one.[38]

Vertebrates

Chondrichthyes

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Hybodontoidea[35][34]	Hybodontoidea indeterminate	Szydłowiec sandstones	Teeth	A Freshwater/Marine Shark, member of the family Rumania . Due to the abundance of Hybodus on Lower Jurassic Strata this has been a temporal assignation. Beyond that, the specimen hasn't been compared. The genus resembles the freshwater sharks from coeval units of North America.
Paleoxyris[39]	Paleoxyris muensteri	Szydłowiec sandstones	Egg Capsules	A Freshwater/Brackish Shark Egg Capsule, probably from a member of the family of Hybodontidae inside Hybodontiformes. With the study of the contemporaneous flora from Chmielow (Gielniów Formation), Paleoxyris egg capsules were identified. On the same paper are claimed to be recovered also from the Szydłowiec sandstones.[39] This species is also known from the Rhaetian of Tübingen, Germany. The best candidate for this capsules can be the genus Lonchidion.[39]

Actinopteri

Unidentified fin spines are known from this formation.^[4]

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Semionotidae[31][28][29]	Semionotidae Indeterminate	Szydłowiec sandstones Podkowiński quarry	Right Dentary Dorsal body with Scales Referred Teeth Isolated scales	A Freshwater Bony Fish, member of the family Semionotiformes inside Neopterygii. Fossils of Semionotus cf. bergeri are known from the Hettangian of Poland.[40] The found teeth can be from a relative. Represents a genus similar to coeval fishes from inland deposits of North America.

Synapsida

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Brasilichnium[4][41][42]	Cf. Brasilichnium isp.	Śmiłów quarry Szydłówek quarry	Tracks	Represent tracks from Mammaliformes, member of the ichnofamily Chelichnopodidae, incertae sedis inside Synapsida. Resemble creatures such as Sinoconodon, Morganucodonta such as Erythrotherium, Megazostrodon or Dinnetherium; more advanced mammaliformes, such as members of Haramiyida, including arborear forms such as Shenshou. As show by Middle-Late Jurassic Finds, this group was ecologically diverse.

Crocodylomorpha

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Batrachopus[4][41][42]	Batrachopus isp. Cf.Batrachopus isp.	Śmiłów quarry Szydłówek quarry Wólka Karwicka	Tracks	Terrestrial/Semiacuatic crocodylomorph tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Batrachopodidae, incertae sedis inside Pseudosuchia. The only ones know from the Late liassic of Europe. It resemble Protosuchus-like small terrestrial crocodylomorphs, and is probably related with the genera from the Kayenta Formation, such as Kayentasuchus or Eopneumatosuchus, or the Chinese genera Strigosuchus or Platyognathus. Seashore dwelling animals, with Carnivorous and Herbivorous representatives. Another series of larger footprints Cf.Batrachopus can come from primitive Amphicotylus-like Goniopholididae or even a member of Teleosauridae

Theropoda

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Anchisauripus[4][27][43][42][44]	Anchisauripus isp. A Anchisauripus isp. B Cf.Anchisauripus isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry Wólka Karwicka	Footprints	Theropod tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Anchisauripodidae, incertae sedis inside Neotheropoda. Assigned to Coelophysidae-alike dinosaurs. Small to medium slender primitive predatory dinosaurs, related with genera such as Liliensternus, Tachiraptor, Zupaysaurus, Procompsognathus or contemporaneous taxa such as the North American Segisaurus.[43][44]	Anchisauripus footprints belong to a genus similar to Procompsognathus
Eubrontes[27][42][44][41]	Eubrontes isp. Cf.Eubrontes isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry	Footprints	Theropod tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Eubrontidae, incertae sedis inside Theropoda. Eubrontes' is related to the Genus Dilophosaurus, representing a basal Neotheropods. Include some large tracks, suggestings specimens up to 7 m, using Dilophosaurus as reference. Dilophosaurus is found or North America Pliensbachian strata, although the assignation of these tracks to the genus is controversial. Similar tracks have been described from Hettangian deposits from Poland and Sweden. There is a distinctive crouching theropod trace assigned to Eubrontes plexus, suggested a feather ingument on Dilophosauroids or relatives[27]
Grallator[4][42][45][43][44]	Grallator isp. A Grallator isp. B Cf.Grallator isp.	Śmiłów quarry Szydłówek quarry Wólka Karwicka	Footprints	Theropod tracks, member of the ichnofamily Eubrontidae, incertae sedis inside Neotheropoda. The footprints from Smilow are small-sized,tridactyl and relatively narrow. forms Assigned to Coelophysidae-alike dinosaurs. Small to medium slender primitive predatory dinosaurs, related with neotheropods such as Camposaurus or Dracoraptor.[43][44]
Kayentapus[27][42][44][43]	Kayentapus isp. A Kayentapus isp. B Cf.Kayentapus isp.	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry	Footprints	Theropod tracks, member of the ichnofamily Eubrontidae, incertae sedis inside Neotheropoda. The tracks resemble Sinosaurus and are related with genera such as Notatesseraeraptor, Tachiraptor, Sarcosaurus and other basal Neotheropoda related to Tetanureae and Ceratosauriade. Small to medium-sized theropods.
Megalosauripus[42][41]	Megalosauripus isp.	Szydłówek quarry	Footprints	Theropod tracks, member of the ichnofamily Eubrontidae, incertae sedis inside Theropoda. Largest Theropod Footprints from the Late Lower Jurassic. They have resemblance with the non-Tetanureae Sinosaurus, but match with Late Jurassic Orionides trackmakers. The trackmaker is expected to reach a length of 8.7-9.1 m long, with a weight over 1.9-2.05 tonnes, making it among the largest Early Jurassic know theropod Trackmakers.[41] The footprints found on Drzewica seem even larger because of their large metatarsophalangeal area, which is often observed in the large theropod footprints from the post-Liassic strata.[41]
Plesiornis[42]	cf. Plesiornis isp.	Szydłówek quarry	Footprints	Theropod Tracks, member of the ichnofamily Anchisauripodidae, incertae sedis inside Theropoda.
Stenonyx[46]	Stenonyx isp.	Szydłówek quarry	Footprints	Theropod Tracks, member of the ichnofamily Anchisauripodidae, incertae sedis inside Theropoda. Considered a very Small Dinosaur, probably a juvenile. The Foot resembles those of young Coelophysis from Ghost Ranch Quarries.[46] Stenonyx footprints had been described from the Early Jurassic Soltykow (Hettangian) and this ones Szydlowek, what matches with specimens found on the also Pliensbachian Hasle Formation, linking Southern Sweden, Bornholm and Poland, contiguous during the Early Jurassic and dinosaurs could thus freely roam this large area.[46]

Sauropodomorpha

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Parabrontopodus[43][44][42][47]	Parabrontopodus isp. A Parabrontopodus isp. B	Szydłówek quarry Śmiłów quarry	Footprints	Sauropod tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Damalasaurus ", with an estimated body size of 6.8 m. Parabrontopodus isp. B represents footprints that match with the genus Gongxianosaurus. The small size of the footprints can suggest juvenile individuals travelled along the deltaic facies of the formation.

Ornithischia

Plants

There are traces of root plants with numerous plant remains, some of them vertically preserved, and on this basis he derived a possible dune-related origin of these sediments.^[48] The plants in the growth position were present at the bases of aeolian sandstone bodies, up to 2 m thick, which wedge out laterally and are covered by argillaceous strata of coastal lagoon origin with drifted plant remains. Mostly of the plant remains are composed by rhizoids and undeterminble fragments, recovered at the Szydłowiec Sandstones, Śmiłów and Mirzec, near Starachowice.^[48] More recent studies suggest an environment of shallow seafront and beach, which of course does not exclude the presence of Aeolian zones there.^[1] Lithofacies on the Smilów Quarry shows slightly inclined beach forests and abundant plant roots in a series of barrier/foreshore–ackshore–eolian dune facies, that include even plants buried in whole dunes, while drifted plant fossils and tree logs occur on the main depositional surface. This inclined surface exposes most likely a long period of non deposition and washed plants, recovering at the same time the original tilt of the local beach.^[1]

Chmielów Flora

This flora comes from layers of the also Pliensbachian

The Kaszewy Coals found mostly on the Kaszewy-1 borehole and Niekłan PIG-1 borehole are the major coals of the Drzewica Formation and Ciechocinek Formation, representing the Pliensbachian-Toarcian boundary.[49] The Pliensbachian section of the Kaszewy-1 borehole comprises ~220 m of terrestrial and shallow marine siliciclastic sediments.^[49] This Section was located on a nearshore-deltaic influenced setting, with an increased amount of both terrestrial and marine organic matter, reflecting increased weathering and increased transport of terrestrial organic matter, with ups and downs of the amount of both marine and terrestrial matter.^[49] Here were collected fossil Charcoal in abundance and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Total fossil charcoal abundance is generally low in the Pliensbachian part of the study section, before peaking immediately above the Pl-To Boundary.^[49] The abundance of coarse fossil charcoal particles (>125 μm) in the Pliensbachian-Toarcian sections of the Kaszewy-1 core is very low (0-15 particles/10 g sediment), while fine fossil charcoal abundance is generally low in the Pliensbachian level. There is also a greater abundance of non-charcoal particles.^[49] At the start of the Toarcian locally, there is a measured increase on the amount of fine charcoal particles reflecting changes on the environment. Inside the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, the Pyrolytics (Benz-Anthracene, Benzo(k)Fluoranthene, Fluoranthene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]Pyrene, Phenanthrene and Pyrene) were detected on a high variety of samples, with the Phenanthrene as the most abundant component, while Coronene is the lowest, suggesting an origin for this last one on the pyrolysis of organic matter.^[49] Petrogenics are more abundant on the local coal samples than the Pyrolytic, what can suggest that these last ones may not reflect particularly local high levels of wildfire activity.^[49] Apparently, the Kaszewy-1 borehole did not experience increased wildfire activity, but instead that the fine fossil charcoal abundance and Pyrolytics concentration records have showed a more clear regional wildfire signal.^[49] The fossil charcoal abundance and geochemical data from Pliensbachian and Toarcian samples show evidence of at least four, and possible another two, levels of increased wildfire activity, and that these can be grouped into two larger periods of increased wildfire activity.^[49]

Palynology

The Drzewica Formation belongs to the Horstisporites planatus (Pl) Zone (Upper Sinemurian – Pliensbachian). This level starts on the older upper part of the

Coniferophyta), distinguished in the Pliensbachian and Toarcian deposits in northern Europe.^[50]

The Drzewica Formation palynoflora is recovered mostly on the Gutwin and Brody-Lubienia boreholes, and includes the next plant groups:

Gnetales, Cycadidae, Bennettitales and Ginkgoales.^[51] In between all the taxa, Pollen from Seed Ferns and Conifers dominate over miospores, indicating a relatively dry ecosystem.^[51] Freshwater algae miospores are know (Botryococcus sp., Cymatiosphaera sp.), as well Paleozoic palynoremains washed from uplands (Walchia sp., Pseudowalchia biangulina, Ullmannia frumentaria, Florinites antiquus, etc.), what indicate a clear active river influx, yet has also evidence of marine ingressions due to the presence of saltwater acritarchs (Psophosphaera coniferoides, Leiosphaeridia sp.).^[51]

Biomass

Beyond proper palynogy, biomass associated has been recovered, specially on the Brody-Lubenia borehole, with abundance of C29 diasterenes (>70%), that proves a great contribution of land plants and thus terrestrial deposits nearby.

Thraustochytriaceae.^[52] At least in some facies there is evidence of proliferation of freshwater-tolerant algae in the brackish environments of the Polish Basin.^[52]

Megaflora

The Lublin Upland fluvial sandstones contain diverse types of fossil flora, associated genera and species only with Lower Jurassic sediments. Originally, while studying the Carboniferous flora from the boreholes in the area of the planned Bogdanka Coal Mine, appeared typical flora in similar to Jurassic formations.^[53] The age of the plant material was not determined concretely until 2020, where was recovered as being Pliensbachian-Toarcian in age, with the flora representing an arid environment, more probably Pliensbachian, that is covered locally by the Drzewica Formation.^[52] The Brody-Lubienia borehole is abundant on terrestrial Palynomorphs (know due to the presence of C29 Diasterenes, >70%), but also has high abundances of aquatic derived biomass.^[52] Even with that, there is a clear consensus with the more terrestrial character of the sediments from Brody-Lubienia, expressed by the frequent occurrence of plant roots and paleosol horizons.^[52] This also is recovered on therate of MTTCs (mono-, di- and tri-methyl-trimethyltridecyl-chromanes) where higher indices at Brody-Lubienia indicate lower salinities and a stronger influx of riverine freshwater.^[52] The environment was probably Dry, developing flora on the near Freshwater influx settings. The Lublin Flora is linked with the flowing waters from the East.^[52] Lublin lias is dominated by cycads and Bennetites Ginkgoales and seed ferns occur sporadically, all on a conglomerate with numerous species occurs in the bottom, where the deposits are filled with of coal, mudstone, sandstone and clay siderite (reworked from the Carboniferous), as well as pebbles from Devonian limestones. Vegetation mostly grew outside the sedimentation area, as well as on shores and shallows.^[54]

At the Śmiłów Quarry, plant remains are know, and are interpreted as derived from an aeolian rework, with the plants buried in growth position by barrier crest aeolian dunes.^[55] Szydłówek quarry host also a nearshore-foreshore-backshore/eolian setting, where the flora is dominated by woody trunks, plant root moulds and impressions of drifted woody trunks, that suggest the presence of large coniferous forests around the Szydłówek tracksite.^[55] Plants here thrive on the foredune are exposed to salt spray, strong wind, and burial by blowing and accumulating sand.^[55] Ferns like Matonia braunii maybe worked as dune stabilisers, like the extant plant Leymus arenarius.^[55]

Genus	Species	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Anomozamites[54][56]	Anomozamites cf. gracilis	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna	Pinnae	Affinities with the Bennettitales inside Bennettitopsida. Anomozamites is characterised by slender, (almost) completely and regularly segmented leaves whose leaflets are generally as long as broad or, at maximum, two times as long as broad. This genus is related with more arboreal Bennetitalean flora. Shows coriaceous leaves and is a genus linked more with dry climates.
Baiera[15][54][56]	Baiera digitata Baiera sp.	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna Kaszewy 1	Leaves Cuticles	Affinities with the Ginkgoaceae inside Ginkgoidae. Linked to the Hettangian-Sinemurian flora from Greenland and Skane, but also with coeval flora from the Sorthat Formation. Is the main Tree flora recovered locally. Is related with relatively warmer and humid conditions. It is the main recovered Floral cuticles on the Kasazewy 1 Borehole.
Caytonia[53][56]	Caytonia sp	Lublin Coal Basin	Ovulate Structure	Affinities with the Caytoniaceae inside Caytoniales . Represents the Ovulate organs or large Tree ferns, and is related with the middle Jurassic flora of United Kingdom.
Czekanowskia[15]	Czekanowskia sp.	Kaszewy 1	Cuticles	Affinities with the Czekanowskiales inside Ginkgoopsida. This Genus is related with relatively drier-cooler conditions.
Ginkgoites[15]	Ginkgoites sp.	Kaszewy 1	Cuticles	Affinities with the Ginkgoaceae inside Ginkgoidae. Is related with relatively warmer and humid conditions.
Hirmeriella[54][56]	Hirmeriella sp.	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna (Lublin Coal Basin)	Leaves	Affinities with the Cheirolepidiaceae inside Pinales. The type Leave from the Cheirolepidaceae family (as Cheirolepis, the genus that give name to the family, is a junior synonym), appears to be linked with Hot climates, able to survive in dry, extreme conditions, and been fire tolerant.
Matonia[55][29]	Matonia braunii	Podkowiński Quarry	PC IB UJ 109/1 (isolated stipes, one frond, isolated pinnules) 109/2 (groups of stipes, one pinna).	Affinities with Pteridophyta. Matonia braunii represents the second major plant fossil identified on the Drzewica formation Dunar settings, it probably formed monotypic stands on coastal dunes, suggesting a wide ecological amplitude that extant related ferns.[55]
Neocalamites[29]	Neocalamites hoernensis	Podkowiński Quarry	Stems	Affinities with Equisetopsida . A common horsetail on the Liassic of Europe.
Nilssonia[53][54][56]	Nilssonia compta Nilssonia orientalis Nilssonia brevis Nilssonia polymorpha Nilssonia sp.	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna	Pinnae	Affinities with the Cycadeoidaceae inside Bennettitales. The most abundant plant macrofossil locally, and the most diverse found on the Lublin coals. It represents a Cycad Like plant with Coriaceous leaves
Nilssoniopteris[53][54][56]	Nilssoniopteris major Nilssoniopteris vittata	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna	Pinnae	Affinities with the Bennettitales inside Bennettitopsida. This Bennetite has a leaf similar to Nilssonia, large, lanceolate in outline with coriaceous structure, like the modern angiosperm Philodendron. Is related with rather Dry-hot environments, with less Fern flora.
Otozamites[54][56]	Otozamites beani Otozamites graphicus	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna	Pinnae	Affinities with the Bennettitales inside Bennettitopsida. A more arbustive type of Bennetite, abundant on the Pliensbachian-Toarcian strata along Eurasia, related to rather dry climates.
Pachypteris[53][54][56]	Pachypteris lanceolata Pachypteris rhomboidalis	Lublin Coal Basin	Pinnae	Affinities with the Peltaspermales inside Pteridospermatophyta. Bipinnate leaves, rachis longitudinally striated, with a long petiole and secondary rachises inserted oppositely to suboppositely on the upper side of the primary rachis. This Leaves belong to large Aboreal Ferns related with dry environments.
Pseudotorellia[15]	Pseudotorellia sp.	Kaszewy 1	Cuticles	Affinities with the Pseudotorelliaceae inside Ginkgoopsida. This Genus is related with relatively drier-cooler conditions.
Swedenborgia?[57]	Swedenborgia? sp.	Śmiłów Quarry	MUZ PIG 76.III.1, Complete Plant	Affinities with Krassiloviaceae). If not herbaceous plants, it can be leaves from trees or shrubs, but all probably coming from an Aeolian-Dunar Environment, growing like the extant Pinus halepensis in mediterranean dunes.[57]
Pterophyllum[53][54][56]	Pterophyllum sp.	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna	Pinnae	Affinities with the Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitopsida. Leaves from Arboreal Bennetites, similar to the modern Cyca Encephalartos woodii, with robust Trunks, built for Dry and hot climates.
Sagenopteris[54][56]	Sagenopteris sp	Borehole L-95 near Łęczna	Pinnae	Affinities with the Caytoniaceae inside Caytoniales . Sagenopteris is most likely the Pinnae of the Tree Fern that also contain Caytonia.
Sphenobaiera[15]	Sphenobaiera sp.	Kaszewy 1	Cuticles	Affinities with the Ginkgoaceae inside Ginkgoidae. Is related with relatively warmer and humid conditions.
Stenopteris[53][54][56]	Stenopteris (Rhaphidopteris?) duetschii	Lublin Coal Basin	Pinnae	Affinities with the Umkomasiaceae inside Pteridospermatophyta. Is very similar to Rhaphidopteris , characterized by usually bi-tripinnate, coriaceous leaves with narrow segments. It belongs to Large (up to 25 m tall) arboreal Fern-like plants.
Weltrichia[53][56]	Weltrichia spectabilis	Lublin Coal Basin	Bennetite "Flower"	Affinities with the Cycadeoidaceae inside Bennettitales. The Bennetite flowers are the main organ that links this relatives with the Cycas with modern Angiosperms. Probably the Pollen assigned to Angiosperms come from plants with this "Flowers".

See also

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Poland
• Sorthat Formation, Denmark
• Neringa Formation
  , Lithuania
• Pliensbachian formations
  • Blanowice Formation, Southern Poland
  • Clarens Formation, South Africa
  • Fernie Formation, Canada
  • Hasle Formation, Denmark
  • Kota Formation, India
  • Los Molles Formation, Argentina
  • Mawson Formation, Antarctica
  • Rotzo Formation, Italy
  • Whiteaves Formation, British Columbia
  • Navajo Sandstone, Utah
  • Kandreho Formation, Madagascar
  • Kota Formation, India
  • Cattamarra Coal Measures, Australia

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