In Situ Root Systems in the Devonian Paleosoils of the Middle Timan

As life progressed, there were a small number of key evolutionary innovations that initiated global biosphere change. One such event was the explosive development of terrestrial vegetation and the emergence of forest ecosystems during the Devonian period. The colonization of land begun by bryophytes and their ancestors required the appearance and development of a variety of root systems. Roots evolved separately and independently in several main directions, rapidly expanding their functionality and complexity. In the middle Zilma river on the Middle Timan in the red-colored sediments of the Middle and Upper Devonian numerous paleosoil horizons and their complexes were studied. According to palynological data in this territory the terrestrial flora was highly diverse. The studied ancient soils are distinguished by the presence of insitu roots of various types. The purpose of the work was a morphological description of the discovered root systems. The taxonomy of Devonian root systems today is in the period of primary data accumulation. As a result of studies three morphological types of root systems belonging mainly to grass-like plants have been identified in paleosoils. There are no descriptions of such objects in paleobotanic literature. Morphological types of root systems are correlated with geomorphological features of the studied territory.