Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2001/00211
Microfossil evidence for the origin and early diversification of land plants.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor CH Wellman, University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Palaeobiology
- Earth Resources
- Palaeoenvironments
- Systematics & Taxonomy
- Abstract:
- Fossil evidence for the earliest land plants consists of dispersed microfossils (spores and phytodebris). Coeval megafossils are lacking, presumably due to low preservation potential. Research on the microfossils has been impeded because there are few reports from the critical Ordovician period and none from terrestrial deposits that are virtually unknown at this time. This project is based on newly discovered microfossils exceptionally preserved in Ordovician terrestrial deposits from Oman. Analysis of this material will shed light on timing of the origin of land plants, patterns of diversification and concomitant effects on the environment. TEM analysis of phytodebris, hitherto not attempted, will enable testing of recent controversial suggestions that it derives from fragmented bryophytes and thus provides the first insight into early land plant body fossils.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2001/00211
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £31,120
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £8,510 | £5,490 | £14,596 | £2,524 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.