CONCLUSION

The Early Eocene environment at Strahan, Tasmania, was centred on a tidal estuary with mean annual temperatures that were mostly likely mesothermal. The mangrove palm Nypa flanked the tidal reaches of river channels and was associated with a species of Rhizophoraceae with affinities to the extant mangroves in the genera Bruguiera, Ceriops, and Rhizophora. Gymnostoma was likely a pioneer plant along the banks of the river away from saltwater influence. Forests rich in and dominated by conifers (including Acmopyle, Agathis, Araucaria, Dacrycarpus, Libocedrus, Prumnopitys) grew in the freshwater swamps flanking the mangroves. There was also a broad-leaved gnetalean. Angiosperm-dominated vegetation may have occupied the better drained flood basin areas. The angiosperm flora was also rich, with 55 taxa of angiosperms recognised from cuticle. These include 11 Lauraceae (including an unusual toothed species), seven Proteaceae, Aquifoliaceae, and Winteraceae.