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The Badenian/Sarmatian boundary in the Central Paratethys has been traditionally identified by the faunal turnover recording an important environmental change possibly controlled by the change from marine to brackish conditions. The strata below the Badenian/Sarmatian boundary in the northern Carpathian Foredeep in Poland are included into the Pecten beds, and those above it into the Syndesmya beds. Foraminiferal study of the Babczyn 2 borehole which is one of the crucial sections in the northern Carpathian Foredeep, well-known for the depositional age of rhyolite tuff within the Pecten beds dated by Śliwiński et al. (2012) at 13.06 ±0.11 Ma, indicated that in fact the boundary occurs within the Syndesmya beds. This conclusion is based upon the rapid change from a stenohaline foraminiferal fauna to a euryhaline one.Benthic foraminifera and palynofacies from the Upper Badenian Neobulimina longa, Hanzawaia crassiseptata and lower Sarmatian Elphidium angulatum and Anomalinoides dividens zones have been studied (Peryt et al., 2021). Benthic assemblages are moderately to highly diversified. The benthic foraminiferal successions in the studied interval suggest normal marine salinity, middle shelf depth basin, with relatively small oxygenation and productivity changes during the late Badenian. The rapid change in the taxonomic composition between the H. crassiseptata and E. angulatum zones reflected by extinction/disappearance of stenohaline taxa from the foraminiferal assemblages and replace them by euryhaline forms resulted from shallowing and decrease in salinity of the Polish Carpathian Foredeep Basin.Palynofacies is dominated by terrestrial elements represented by palynodebris (black and dark brown phytoclasts and cuticles) and pollen grains. The proportion of marine elements (dinoflagellate cysts, prasinophytes, acritarchs, and rare zooclasts) rarely exceeds 10%. Taxonomic diversity of the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages is low. Majority of samples yielded assemblages dominated by 3–4 species with remaining taxa represented by rare or even single specimens. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of aquatic palynomorphs show that the borehole interval studied accumulated during variable, unstable sedimentary conditions. A short interval that occurs just above the last occurrence of stenohaline foraminifers is characterized by lack of dinoflagellate cysts and flowering of Leiosphaeridiaceae. Lack of dinoflagellate cysts points to conditions disastrous for dinoflagellate cysts. But the most likely reason was salinity increase above the level tolerable even for hypersaline forms (e.g., Polysphaeridium) but still favourable for Leiosphaeridia. These possibly hypersaline conditions were associated with stagnant, possibly stratified waters that led to anoxic conditions in the bottom waters manifested by amorphous organic matter. A cease of these conditions was caused by a possible sea level rise and a gradual return of a less saline water regime. The latter interpretation can be supported by high frequency of Polysphaeridium (a genus known from hypersaline environments).The study was financed by the National Science Centre, Poland, grant No. UMO-2017/27/B/ST10/01129.Peryt, D., Garecka, M., Peryt, T.M., 2021: Geological Quarterly, 65: 18, doi: 10.7306/gq.1584; Śliwiński, M., Bąbel, M., Nejbert, K., Olszewska-Nejbert, D., Gąsiewicz, A., Schreiber, B.C., Be-Nowitz, J.A., Layer P., 2012: Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 326–328: 12–29.

Remains of a fungus with unique morphological characters were found on the leaf cuticle of a fossil leaf preserved in Oligocene deposits from Csolnok, Hungary. Vesicular conidiophores with characteristic, darkly pigmented, incurved vesicles were compared with those of the modern representatives of the anamorphic genus Zygosporium. Based on the fossil find, a new fossil-species, Zygosporium oligocenicum G. Worobiec sp. nov., having vesicular conidiophores that arise directly from the mycelium, was described. The fossil Zygosporium oligocenicum presumably preferred warm climate and, similarly to most modern members of the genus, was a saprophyte on fallen, decaying leaves.

The remains of fungi from a wetland environment have been found during palynological investigations of the middle Miocene lignite seam of the Adamow Lignite Mine (central Poland). One new fossil-ge...

Pterocarya fraxinifolia, native to the southern Caucasus and adjacent areas, has been widely introduced in Europe. In this study, we investigate the following: (1) How did its current distribution form? (2) What are the past, current, and future suitable habitats of P. fraxinifolia? (3) What is the best conservation approach? Ecological niche modeling was applied to determine its climatic demands and project the distribution of climatically suitable areas during three periods of past, current, and future (2070) time. Then, an integrated analysis of fossil data was performed. Massive expansion of Pterocarya species between the Miocene and Pliocene facilitated the arrival of P. fraxinifolia to the southern Caucasus. The Last Glacial Maximum played a vital role in its current fragmented spatial distribution in the Euxinian and Hyrcanian regions with lower elevations, and Caucasian and Irano-Turanian regions with higher elevations. Climatic limiting factors were very different across these four regions. Future climate change will create conditions for the expansion of this species in Europe. Human activities significantly decreased the suitable area for P. fraxinifolia, especially in the Euxinian, Hyrcanian, and Irano-Turanian regions. Considering genetic diversity, climate vulnerability, and land utilization, the Euxinian, Hyrcanian, and Irano-Turanian regions have been recognized as conservation priority areas for P. fraxinifolia.

Fungal sporocarps having ostiole with setae were found in the upper Pliocene deposits from Mizerna (borehole Mizerna-Nowa), southern Poland. These remains morphologically correspond to the fossil-genus Trichothyrites Rosend., although the structure of the ostiolar collar with non-septate setae seems unique and is typical for sporocarps (catathecia) of some modern species of the genus Lichenopeltella Höhn. Other contemporary fungal genera with setose sporocarps differ considerably from Lichenopeltella in respect of their morphology. Taking this into consideration, a new fossil-species Lichenopeltella mizerniana G. Worobiec is proposed. Morphologically, Lichenopeltella mizerniana is similar both to some modern lichenicolous [L. peltigericola (D. Hawksw.) R. Sant., L. rangiferinae Brackel, and L. uncialicola Brackel] and non-lichenicolous species [L. ammophilae (J.P. Ellis) P.M. Kirk & Minter, L. palustris (J.P. Ellis) P.M. Kirk & Minter] of this genus. The presence of Lichenopeltella mizerniana suggests that the Pliocene climate of the Mizerna locality was probably at least moderately humid.

Fossil plant macroremains preserved in laminated diatomites from Łysa Góra near Rębiszów, Lower Silesia, have been documented for the first time. The fossil assemblage consists mostly of leaves, but fruits, seeds and sporadic flowers also occur. Forty-three identified taxa represent nineteen plant families: Aceraceae, Berberidaceae, Betulaceae, Cornaceae, Cupressaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Ericaceae, Fagaceae, Lauraceae, ?Leguminosae, ?Meliaceae, Magnoliaceae, Pinaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Tilioideae, Ulmaceae, Vitaceae, and one incertae sedis. The prevalence of entire margined leaves, mostly represented by Majanthemophyllum basinerve and Daphnogene cinnamomifolia, and a significant presence of Calocedrus suleticensis and Liriodendron haueri, are characteristic features of the Rębiszów flora. The composition of the plant assemblage points to a mesophytic forest with some riparian elements and suggests favourable, warm climatic conditions. Radiometrically dated basalts overlying fossiliferous layers and composition of palynoflora suggest at least Chattian (late Oligocene) age. The lithology and floristic composition link the Rębiszów flora with the so-called volcanic floras of the Nerchau-Flörsheim or Kleinsaubernitz floristic complex (Oligocene) from Germany and Czech Republic with Suletice-Berand flora being especially close.

The Bełchatów Lignite Mine of Poland is a treasure-cove for mid-to late Miocene plant and animal fossils, deposited in a slow-flowing river valley with swamps and oxbow lakes. Here, we report the finding of abundant fossil anomopod cladocerans. Some are three-dimensionally preserved, including the taxonomically important trunk limbs. They pertain to the families Chydoridae and Bosminidae, with species similar to but distinct from modern ones. All are members of the zooplankton, though some are littoral while others are pelagic in nature. Morphological stasis in these families is not outspoken as in the Daphniidae and the stasis hypothesis, based on ephippia only, is challenged. The absence of Daphnia is conspicuous and ascribed to a combination of fish predation and local water chemistry. Its place in the oxbow lakes is taken by at least two Bosmina species, one of which is undescribed. We consider this a case of paleo-competitive release. For Bosminidae, these are the first certified fossils predating the Pleistocene.

This paper presents the reinterpretation of the taxonomic position of fossil epiphyllous callimothalloid fungi belonging to the fossil-genera Callimothallus (hitherto classified to the family Microthyriaceae) and Cribrites (?Microthyriales). These fungi thrived from the Late Cretaceous up to the Holocene. Investigation are based on collected material from the Oligocene of Hungary and the Miocene of Poland and on published data. For the common callimothalloid fungus Callimothallus pertusus, a new combination Neomycoleptodiscus pertusus is proposed. Callimothallus quilonensis is assigned to a new fossil-genus Muyocopromyces as a new combination Muyocopromyces quilonensis. We reconsider the fossil-species Ratnagiriathyrites hexagonalis as a younger synonym of the fossil-genus Cribrites. The geographical range of fossil callimothalloid fungi and their recent counterparts are discussed. Fossil Neomycoleptodiscus, Muyocopromyces, and Cribrites are proposed as reliable climate proxy of warm climate conditions in the past.

The first mid-Polish group is the youngest among the main Neogene lignite seams in Poland. Lignites of this group developed in the middle Miocene over almost the whole of Poland, and therefore they are an important correlation horizon throughout much of the Polish Lowlands. A total of 30 palynological samples from the 3-metre seam from the Adamów deposit (central Poland) were studied in detail. The results revealed the presence of wetland and mesophytic vegetation during the time of sedimentation. The study area was overgrown by palustrine wetland communities similar in their composition to modern pocosins. The climate was warm temperate and humid, which was inferred from the palynoflora composition, including frequency of palaeotropical and palaeotropical/warm-temperate taxa, and the presence of epihyllous fungi. The estimated mean annual temperature (MAT) for the lignite seam at Adamów is 15.7–18.0 °C. Comparison with other palynofloras from the first mid-Polish lignite seam group shows that the climate was more or less homogenous within the entire Polish Lowlands during formation of the group of seams. The MAT ranges are also similar to other results from middle Miocene of Central Europe. The differences between the Adamów palynoflora and palynofloras from central and western Poland, dominated by swamp forests, most probably reflect the succession of plant communities in different hydrological and trophic conditions.

We reconstruct palaeoenvironmental conditions during the formation of the first Mid-Polish Lignite Seam (MPLS-1) of the Konin Basin of central Poland, which is of mid-Miocene age. In terms of macropetrography, the MPLS-1 comprises different lithotype associations, predominantly xylodetritic lignite, and represents the peat deposits of mires most likely inhabited by Myricaceae-Cyrillaceae shrubs. Palynological assemblages obtained from the MPLS-1 at the Adamow Lignite Opencast Mine indicate the existence of wetland/palustrine and mesophytic vegetation during the accumulation of the peat. Applying the Coexistence Approach to the palynological assemblages, climate is inferred to have been warm temperate and humid with a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 15.7–18.0 °C with plant communities similar to modern pocosins developed on coastal plains in southeastern USA. The palynological assemblages from the MPLS-1 at Joźwin IIB Lignite Opencast Mine show palaeofloristic cyclicality. In the studied section, five cycles were identified, dominated by swamp forests (Taxodium/Glyptostrobus–Nyssa) similar to modern forests in southeastern USA and China. The climate at that time was warm temperate and humid (MAT = 15.7–20.5 °C) based on CA application. This is consistent with the significant contribution of warm temperate plants, typical of mixed mesophilous forests, which grew in the vicinity of the swamp forests. The results of geochemical analyses are generally in agreement with palaeobotanical studies, indicating angiosperm dominated the peat-forming vegetation. However, the geochemically-derived average temperature ranges of ca. 24.2–25.0 °C, based on the carbon preference index (CPI), is significantly higher. These differences between palynologically- and geochemically-derived MATs can be explained by the influence of changes in vegetation on the CPI values. The periodic contribution of algae and microorganisms to the biomass while the water table was raised is indicated by elevated abundances of short-chain n-FAs. In contrast, under acidic conditions, bacterial activity was limited, as indicated by ββ/(ββ + αβ) hopane ratios and low sulfur content. Based on sedimentological data, the MPLS-1 was mainly formed either proximal (Joźwin IIB, Tomislawice) or more distal (Adamow) to the river channels as evidenced by the presence or absence of siliciclastic partings within the MPLS-1. In summary, the MPLS-1 accumulated mostly as low-lying mires under freshwater conditions, corresponding to the last peak of the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum and to the period thereafter when the climate showed a cooling trend. Our findings are placed in the context of palaeotectonics and palaeoclimates at regional and global scales.

Well-preserved leaf macroremains collected in the Bełchatów Lignite Mine (Central Poland) were investigated. Fossil leaves of Acer, Dicotylophyllum, Fagus, Eucommia, Laria, Laurophyllum, Liquidambar, Pinus, Populus, Pterocarya, Quercus, Salix, Salvinia, Taxodium, Ulmus, Vitis, and Zelkova, and fossil fruit of Eucommia were found in fossil assemblage KRAM-P 218 formed in a fluvial sedimentary environment. The fossil assemblage is dominated by plant remains of riparian vegetation of bottomland hardwood forest type. Some taxa point to the presence of mesophytic upland communities. The floristic composition points to warm temperate climate with mild winters, comparable to Cfa type (warm temperate, fully humid with hot summer) in the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. Mean annual temperature of 13.5-16.5°C was reconstructed by the coexistence approach method. Middle to late Miocene age (late Sarmatian to early Pannonian) is suggested for the plant-bearing deposits.

During a palynological analysis of four samples from the Bełchatów KRAM-P 218 collection of plant macroremains 95 fossil species of sporomorphs were identified. Among the non-pollen palynomorphs was the fossil species Desmidiaceaesporites cosmarioformis, previously not reported from fossil floras of Poland, most probably related to the zygospores of desmids. The pollen analysis indicates the presence of a freshwater body (probably an oxbow lake) and shows the dominant role of wetland, predominantly riparian vegetation, at the time of sedimentation. The riparian forests probably consisted of Carya, Pterocarya, Celtis, and Ulmus, accompanied by Alnus, Acer, Fraxinus, Juglans, Liquidambar, Vitis, Zelkova, and Salix. In mixed forests there probably were Fagus, Quercus, Carpinus, Eucommia, Corylus, Tilioideae, and conifers, as well as some thermophilous taxa (e.g. Castanea, Symplocos, Reevesia, Mastixiaceae, and plants producing pollen of the fossil species Tricolporopollenites pseudocingulum). Taxodium, Nyssa, and presumably Glyptostrobus and Alnus were components of swamp communities that might have overgrown the adjacent area with higher groundwater. Members of the families Ericaceae, Cyrillaceae, and Clethraceae, as well as Myrica and probably also Ilex, may have been components of swamp forests and bush swamps. Our analysis indicates that the climate was warm temperate and moderately wet. The palynoflora is most similar in composition to the spore-pollen spectra of the X climatic phase - the Nyssapollenites spore-pollen zone. Deposits bearing assemblages of the Nyssapollenites spore-pollen zone were deposited during the Sarmatian and early Pannonian. Our results are consistent with those from plant macroremains from the same collection.

Latest Eocene plant macrofossils and trace fossils collected a century ago by Wiktor Kuźniar are revised and their stratigraphical and palaeoecological meaning is re-considered. They derive from marine limestones and marls cropping out on the northern slope of the Hruby Regiel mountain in the Western Tatra Mountains. Leaves belonging to the families Fagaceae and Lauraceae and fruits of the palm Nypa are recognized. The co-occurrence of the planktonic foraminifer taxa Chiloguembelina cf. gracillima and Globigerinatheca cf. index and fruits of Nypa suggests a latest Eocene age of the fossil flora. The plant assemblage is typical of paratropical or subtropical evergreen forests in a warm and humid subtropical climate, recent counterparts of which occur in southeast Asia. The presence of Nypa is characteristic of mangroves. The good state of preservation of the leaves suggests coastline proximity during sedimentation of the plant-bearing deposits.

Integration of isolated parts of fossil plants into one plant is one of the most important goals in the whole-plant reconstruction concept in paleobotany. Three fossil-species, Laria rueminiana (Heer) G. Worobiec & Kvacek (leaves), Reevesia hurnikii Kvacek (the capsule valve of fruit), and Reevesiapollis triangulus (Mamczar) Krutzsch (pollen grains), related to the extant genus Reevesia Lindl, were found in one fossil assemblage in the upper Miocene deposits of the Belchatow Lignite Mine (central Poland). In early Miocene locality of Bilina, Czech Republic the listed taxa were also accompanied by fossil seeds of Saportaspermum Meyer & Manchester. The co-occurrence of them suggests that they might represent vegetative and reproductive organs of a single biological species. Besides the co-occurrence of these fossil-taxa, the affiliation of the discussed detached fossil plant organs in the whole-plant reconstruction of the Reevesia plant could be indirectly proven using their similar systematic affinities (recent relatives), and the discovery of ex situ pollen aggregations (clumps) of Reevesiapollis triangulus in one of the cuticular slides of leaves of Laria rueminiana. These clumps surely were attached to the surface of the Laria leaf. Similar to the nearest living extant relatives, the Reevesia plant thrived in a warm temperate and humid climate with mild winters (a Cfa climate type according to the Koppen-Geiger climate classification) and was usually a component of riparian vegetation also growing in drier, mesophytic plant communities.

Leaf macroremains collected in the Bełchatów Lignite Mine (central Poland) were investigated. The fossil assemblage consists of leaves of Acer, Betula, Carpinus, Dicotylophyllum, Fagus, ?Magnolia, “Parrotia”, Pinus, Quercus, and Zelkova. Mesophytic (zonal) elements dominate, with admixture of riparian (azonal) leaf taxa. The floristic composition points to late Neogene (late Miocene to late Pliocene) age and suggests favourable temperate climate with mild winters.

Fragments of cephalothecoid fructifications (peridia) were encountered during palynological investigations of Neogene deposits in Mizerna-Nowa/Poland and Adendorf/Germany. Isolated plates of cephalothecoid ascoma in shape and cellular structure similar to the extant members of the family Cephalothecaceae are described as Cephalothecoidomyces neogenicus fossil gen. et sp. nov. while remnants of fungal sporocarps with cephalothecoid walls with indistinct lines of dehiscence, similar in structure to peridia with cephalothecoid morphology of extant representatives the family Chaetomiaceae (mainly genus Chaetomidium) are assigned to Adendorfia miocenica fossil gen. et sp. nov. We also propose a new interpretation of some previously described fossil fungal taxa that we consider to be remnants of cephalothecoid ascomata.

New interpretation of leaf fossils from the Neogene of Europe belonging to the family Malvaceae s.l. is given. Morphogenera Dombeyopsis Unger emend., Byttneriophyllum Givulescu ex Knobloch et Kvacek, and Laria G. Worobiec et Kvacek morphogen. nov., considered monotypic in our revision, are newly circumscribed. Particularly well‐preserved leaves representing Dombeyopsis lobata Unger (Auenheim); Byttneriophyllum tiliifolium (A. Braun) Knobloch et Kvacek from Belchatow and Ruja, Poland; and Laria rueminiana (Heer) G. Worobiec et Kvacek comb. nov. from Belchatow were examined for detailed macro‐ and micromorphological studies. A survey of epidermal features and leaf macromorphology in extant Malvaceae s.l. was conducted for comparison with the fossils. All three fossil species studied are malvalean, but none of them corresponds in all details with any of the studied living Malvaceae s.l. Macro‐ and micromorphology of leaves suggest that D. lobata has affinities to subfamily Tilioideae Arn., B. tiliifolium pro...

The paper presents results of pollen analysis of the Upper Miocene deposits from a borehole at Jozefina (Krakow-Silesia Upland, central Poland), including data concerning bamboo type pollen grains, as well other sporomorphs (pollen, spores and freshwater phytoplankton). Fossil pollen grains of bamboos ( Graminidites bambusoides Stuchlik) were found in two samples, and in one sample they were accompanied by conidium of Tetraploa -like fossil fungus, resembling the recent Tetraploa aristata Berkeley & Broome. This fungus could grow on leaves of the bamboos or other grasses, but also on variety of other plants. Comparison of palynological data, studies of leaf floras and the nearest living relatives, confirmed the connection of the fossil bamboos with wetland, reed and riparian vegetation. Results of these analyses indicate a moderately wet and warm temperate palaeoclimate.

This paper presents the results of a study of leaf macroremains of Betulaceae found in the Miocene deposits of the Belchatow Lignite Mine. Besides revision of leaf taxa described in earlier publications on Belchatow deposits, the examination of newly collected fossil leaves has been done. Isolation of leaf compressions and cuticular analysis were applied. The following taxa are reported: Alnus gaudinii (Heer) Knobloch et Kvacek, Alnus julianiformis (Sternberg) Kvacek et Holý, Alnus menzelii Raniecka-Bobrowska, Betula plioplatyptera Hummel, Betula subpubescens Goeppert emend. Worobiec, Betula sp. and Carpinus grandis Unger emend. Heer. Macromorphology, micromorphology, systematic position, stratigraphical range, palaeoecology and recent counterparts of the taxa described are discussed.

Recently discovered fossil bamboo leaves and pollen are described from the Neogene of Poland. Morphological analysis of fossil leaves from the Late Miocene deposits of the Belchatow Lignite Mine, Central Poland have allowed them to be determined as “Bambusa” lugdunensis Saporta. It is the first record of this species in the Cenozoic of Poland. The fossils have been compared with other records of bamboos from the Cenozoic of Europe. Pollen grains from the Middle Miocene (Badenian) deposits from the Legnica brown coal deposit (Lower Silesia) provide additional evidence of bamboos. These are assigned to Graminidites bambusoides Stuchlik, and are similar to those of recent Arundinaria . We infer that plant (plants?) that produced the pollen of G. bambusoides could have grown in swamp forests and/or reed marshes. This report provides a general survey of the occurrence of bamboos in the European Neogene, from which the leaves and pollen documented here present important data on the distribution of this group of monocots in Poland and eastern Europe.

Leaf slides prepared from separated Tertiary leaf compressions are valuable tools for taxonomic investigations of fossil leaf assemblages. Slides such as these help considerably in morphological investigations of fossil leaves allowing examination of their minute morphological structures. Procedures for preparing leaf slides from leaf compressions include three stages: separation (isolation) of leaf compressions with use of hydrogen peroxide, and then a two-step method for bleaching leaf compressions and mounting the bleached leaf compressions in glycerine jelly slides. This method has been successfully used for several years, and is especially useful for separating and preparing flat plant remains such as leaves, fruits and seeds, coniferous shoots and fragments of bark. The procedure is recommended for extensive use in palaeobotanical investigations, and has proven especially useful for Tertiary leaf assemblages.

The megafossils from the fluvial sediments overlying the Tertiary lignites in the Belchatow opencast mine (Middle Poland) are investigated. The good preservation allowed the cellular detail of the leaves and fruit- and seed coats to be studied. This enabled accurate identifications to be made. Some of the genera ( Cleome , Ternstroemites and Zingiberoideophyllum ) are new for the Tertiary of Poland. Most of the taxa are encountered in Upper Miocene to Pliocene sediments. A comparison of the growth forms and the proportion of arctotertiary and palaeotropical components present in Stawek-1A with those of the plant assemblages from the Neogene of the lower Rhenish Basin points to a Late Miocene or Early Pliocene age. The plant communities from which the fossils were derived and the climatic conditions under which these were growing are discussed.

Tetraploa aristata Berkeley & Broome represents the anamorphic stage of a pleomorphic fungus with holomorph Tetraplosphaeria tetraploa (Scheuer) Kaz. Tanaka & K. Hiray (Lophiostoma tetraploa (Scheuer) Aptroot & K.D. Hyde). Until now this taxon has not been reported in Poland, where it is probably on the fringe of its distribution. Conidia of Tetraploa aristata were found during palynological analyses of modern surface samples and later on the decaying leaves of Phleum phleoides from xeric grasslands in Kraków and its vicinity. Since Tetraploa aristata was discovered during palynological analysis, this method might be considered to be a useful tool for investigations of contemporary microfungal mycobiota.

Stanowisko w Witowie, położone ok. 50 kilometrów na północny wschód od Krakowa, jest znane z odsłonięcia osadów określanych mianem serii witowskiej. Były one przedmiotem badań paleobotanicznych, paleozoologicznych, sedymentologicznych i petrograficznych. W osadach serii witowskiej znaleziono oznaczalne makroszczątki roślin iglastych i okrytozalążkowych. Szczególnie interesujące są kopalne gatunki Pinus cf. palaeostrobus, Zelkova zelkovifolia i Spirematospermum wetzleri. Wyniki badań szczątków roślinnych wskazują na późnomioceński lub plioceński wiek serii witowskiej. Kopalne zbiorowiska roślinne, które występowały w okolicy Witowa można porównać do współczesnych podzwrotnikowych lasów wilgotnych obszaru Kolchidy i Niziny Tałyskiej na Zakaukaziu oraz środkowych Chin. Obecność szczątków roślinności ciepłolubnej wskazuje na cieplejszy niż obecnie klimat okresu sedymentacji serii witowskiej. Witów jest znany także ze stanowisk archeologicznych. Obszar ten od neolitu był wielokrotnie zasiedlany. Ślady najintensywniejszego osadnictwa pochodzą z końca epoki brązu i początków epoki żelaza (1000-600 BC) i są odnoszone do kultury łużyckiej. Na stanowisku w Witowie znaleziono także średniowieczny cmentarz datowany na koniec jedenastego wieku po Chrystusie, będący pierwszym dowodem na obecność średniowiecznego osadnictwa na tym terenie. Położenie Witowa na brzegu doliny Wisły zapewne dawało mu kontrolę nad okolicznymi szlakami oraz, być może, także nad brodami. Możliwe, że Witów sprawował także polityczną kontrolę na otaczających go terenach. Biorąc pod uwagę naukową wartość stanowiska w Witowie i wynikającą stąd konieczność jego ochrony, postulowane jest utworzenie na jego obszarze rezerwatu przyrody. The study area near village Witów situated about 50 kilometres north-east of the Kraków city is famous for its exposed deposits called the "Witów Series" on which palaeobotanical, micro- and macrofaunistic, malacological, sedimentological and petrographical studies have already been performed. From deposits of the Witów Series, plant macroremains belonging to gymnosperms and angiosperms were reported. Pinus cf. palaeostrobus, Zelkova zelkovifolia and Spirematospermum wetzleri are particularly interesting. Results of investigations on fossil plant remains point to the Late Miocene to Pliocene age of the Witów Series. Plant communities that existed in the vicinity of Witów could be compared to recent warm temperate and humid forests of the Colchis and Talysh Lowland in Transcaucasus and to forests of Central China. Presence of remains of termophilous taxa point to warmer climate of the period of sedimentation of the Witów Series than recent climate of Poland. The Witów region is also famous for archaeological localities that has been known since the turn of the twentieth century. The site was being repeatedly settled beginning with the late Stone Age (the Neolithic Period). Traces of the most intensive periods of settlement come from the late Bronze and early Iron Ages (1000-600 BC) and are attributed to the so-called Lusatian culture. The site also yielded a medieval cemetery that can be dated to the turn of the twelfth century AD. This is the first confirmation of the presence of medieval settlements on this site. Location of Witów in the Vistula river valley may have allowed this settlement to control nearby routes and possibly river fords and also probably exercised political control over the surrounding areas. Considering scientific value of the Witów locality and necessity of their protection, creation of natural reserve on this area is suggested.