This substantial book describes a geological history which records the amazing fact that, in contrast to the “icehouse” world of today, and for ∼300 million years from Paleozoic to Neogene times, Antarctica enjoyed balmy “greenhouse” conditions resulting in a mantle of varied vegetation on the continent. The authors, who have extensive Antarctic field experience and scientific knowledge of the subject matter, review this fascinating record of high southern latitude plant life (concentrating on the macrofossils) and its crucial links to past climate and geography.
The book is organized in chronological order beginning with an interesting preparatory chapter entitled “Historical background and geological framework”, which, together with a frontispiece of the geological timescale, provides a useful introduction to the subject matter. Within the first paragraph the authors emphasise the critical influences of changing geographies and climates on the history of vegetation on Antarctica, the discussion of which is pursued throughout the book.
Each subsequent chapter describes a significant set of deposits relevant to a particular period, tying the whole together in a framework of globally significant events including major climate and ice sheet fluctuations and the “invasion” of the angiosperms. The authors concentrate on the macrofossil record, and although including terrestrial palynomorphs (fossil spores and pollen of land plants) in the text do not illustrate them. Perhaps more could have been included to highlight their value over ‘snapshot’ macrofossil deposits for reconstructing regional vegetation and palaeoclimate trends through time. However, most chapters do include either a species list or summary table of the fossil floras (including interpretations from palynofloras) presented with inferred botanical affinities and derived climatic information where appropriate. These tables are a very useful reference source. Despite a few typographical errors in the text and figures these do not detract from what is a very detailed and thorough scientific treatment of the theme.
Interesting case studies break up the detailed narrative, providing a welcome addition. These highlight curious features of the Antarctic fossil plant record, e.g. the abundant Permian glossopterid plants. In my opinion, these could also have been used to focus on additional aspects of understanding past polar vegetation, for example, how high latitude plants may have coped with the extreme seasonality of the polar region (particularly the long, continuously dark winters). Similarly, a mention of modern statistical analyses used in palaeobotany, or a description of the basics of molecular phylogenetics with reference to evolution and migration of plant groups, would have added further value.
The illustrations and photographic plates are clear and well produced. The stratigraphic summaries and palaeogeographic maps throughout provide a useful visual context for the detailed information in the accompanying text. Perhaps by involving a palaeo-artist to paint landscape and vegetation reconstructions, or including some photographs of comparable modern floras, this would have made the past Antarctic vegetation more tangible for the reader.
The authors also include discussion of controversial issues that continue to be of scientific interest today, in particular, the debate about the Neogene stability of the East Antarctic ice sheet based on the Sirius Group deposits in the Transantarctic Mountains, which continues to provoke interest (e.g. Barrett Reference Barrett2013). In addition, they include a list of floras not included in the main discussion, which is supplemented by references for an interested reader to follow up. Thus, despite the wealth of information contained in this book, it is evident that there is still more to learn about the interaction of past vegetation, climate and geographies in Antarctica. Such knowledge, particularly from warmer periods of the geological past, is of direct relevance to the modern world as we become increasingly concerned about ice sheet stability in the warmer climates predicted for our future.
Although written as a scientific monograph, it is in a very readable style and I have no hesitation in recommending it to a wide audience.
