Taphonomic study of Pinaceae ovulate cones from the Lower Cretaceous of Belgium and paleoenvironmental implications

The exceptional preservation of pinaceous fossils from the Wealden facies deposits (Barremian–Albian) is demonstrated by both the abundance of specimens and the remarkable preservation, with extremely well-preserved internal and external anatomy. This exceptional preservation enables a preliminary ex situ study to describe their modes of preservation and reconstruct the broad taphonomic pathways leading to the fossilization of these ovulate cones. The systematic observation of Belgian Lower Cretaceous pinaceous material has led to the recognition of four distinct types of preservation, each reflecting different taphonomic histories, along with marked differences between geographically close localities. A comparative analysis with ovulate cones of extant Pinaceae deposited in modern forest ecosystems was conducted to establish links between cone degradation patterns and environmental conditions. These comparisons with present-day degradation processes in natural environments support a detailed interpretation of one specific fossilization pathway (type I), corresponding to cones deposited in a forest environment and subsequently subjected to rapid burial. The ex situ examination of this historical collection, despite the absence of an accurate stratigraphic context, provides valuable insights into the reconstruction of broad but nonetheless informative taphonomic features that may relate to past environmental conditions. These results provide new information about the paleoenvironmental context during the Early Cretaceous in this region. Altogether, these findings contribute new and significant information regarding the ecology and environmental settings of early Pinaceae, as well as other organisms preserved within the same sedimentary contexts, thereby enriching our understanding of Barremian–Albian ecosystems in the Wealden facies of Belgium. • Well-preserved conifer cones from Lower Cretaceous of Belgium allow taphonomic study. • Four distinct preservation types identified from ex situ fossil analysis. • Actualistic study links degradation to burial conditions. • Taphonomic data reveal rapid burial in forest environments during the Barremian. • New insights into early Pinaceae ecosystems and paleoenvironments from fossil cones.