Burdigalian–Langhian flora of the Çan–Etili (Çanakkale) Basin, compared with those of Western Türkiye

A palaeofloristic study was carried out on Lower–Middle Miocene deposits of western Türkiye (Çan–Etili Basin). The sediments of the Çan–Etili Basin, which were obtained from measured sections, were deposited in a continental environment. The palaeovegetation of the Çan–Etili Basin (Kazım Oğlak and Keçiağılı successions) during the Early–Middle Miocene was mainly made up of evergreen and deciduous mixed forests (Castanea–Castanopsis, Cyrillaceae–Clethraceae, Engelhardia, Quercus evergreen-type, Quercus deciduous-type), riparian vegetation with high quantities of Alnus and conifers such as Pinus haploxylon-type, Pinus diploxylon-type, and undifferentiated Pinaceae. The reconstructed palaeoclimate data from the palaeoflora (pollen and leaves) imply a warm and temperate climate, with mean annual temperatures of 13.8–21.1 °C and coldest-month temperatures of 5.5–13.5 °C. The average annual precipitation is around 1236 mm, indicating overall humidity. When reviewing previous quantitative palaeoclimate assessments from Western Türkiye, no significant palaeoclimate variations along a north–south gradient were detected. Comparing data from the Çan Etili Basin with previous studies from Western Türkiye, it can be inferred that the Aegean region was covered by dense woody vegetation. Moreover, the distribution of Picea suggests a landscape with moderate relief.