Wolfram Kürschner
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dr. W.M. Kürschner
The Netherlands Phone: +31 30 253 2630 Institute of Environmental Biology Faculty of Science, Utrecht University
Position: Assistant professor |
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Research
I am interested in the microscopic and macroscopic fossil record of plants and algae with the emphasis on long geological time scales. I focus on the development and application of botanical proxies in order to understand the history of continental ecosystems (terrestrial – coastal – shallow marine / shelf). I use modern plant physiological and ecological concepts in order to interpret morphological / anatomical and geochemical patterns in the plant fossil record. Research questions cover the impact and interaction of past plant life with the Earth’s climate system, the global biogeochemical cycles and the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems (e.g. vegetation response to biotic crises, geological history of grass dominated ecosystems).
Physiological Palaeobotany
- Development and application of leaf morphology as a terrestrial climate proxy (leaf physiognomy),
- Quantitative cuticle analysis as a proxy for palaeoatmospheric CO2 levels during critical periods of Earth’s climate history (e.g. PETM, Eocene - Oligocene, Middle Miocene, Mid-Pliocene …),
- The evolution of photosynthesis of land plants,
Palynology
- Palynology of Late Triassic – Early Jurassic in the Northern Calcareous Alps and the North Sea basin with focus on marine calibrated palynostratigraphy & correlation of marine with terrestrial events,
- Palynology of the Germanic Triassic and N-American (Colorado Plateau) continental basins,
- Taxonomical specific isotope records,
- Neogene Palynology in the Paratethys region,
CV
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PhD, Utrecht University, 1996
Ph. D. thesis: W. M. Kürschner (1996). Leaf stomata as biosensors of palaeoatmospheric CO2 levels. LPP contributions Series No. 5. Dissertation, Utrecht University. 153 pp.
Advisors: Prof. Dr. H. Visscher (Utrecht University), Prof. Dr. P. J. C. Kuiper (University of Groningen)
- Geology (main subjects: Sedimentology, Geochemistry and Palaeontology), Ruhr - University of Bochum, Germany, 1991.
Master thesis: Strontium Isotopes in Conodonts: The Devonian - Carboniferous Transition, The Northern Rhenish Slate Mountains, Germany.
Advisor: Prof. Dr. J. Veizer
Download references for Cenozoic palaeoclimatology and environmental dynamics research plan
For downloads of published data sets please follow the links on the publication list below.
