On the Eocene mangroves of Wadi Al-Hitan World Heritage site, Fayum, Egypt

Wadi Al-Hitan, Egypt's first site on UNESCO's Natural World Heritage List, preserves rare Eocene mangrove ecosystems from the late middle Eocene (Bartonian) period. This study describes a diverse assemblage of plant fossils, including root casts, rhizomes, leaf impressions, and petrified driftwood, alongside problematic fossils such as echinoderm hard parts and mineral-filled bivalve siphons. These findings provide critical insights into the paleoenvironmental conditions and biodiversity of Wadi Al-Hitan during the Bartonian stage, contributing to our understanding of ancient mangrove ecosystems in the region.

ElSaadawi, W., Osman, R., ElFaramawi, M., Bkhat, H., ElDin, M., & Ziada, N. (2018). On the Eocene mangroves of Wadi Al-Hitan World Heritage site, Fayum, Egypt. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY (Botany), 14(2), 197. https://doi.org/10.5455/egyjebb.20180515093213