Albian south-western Europe terrestrial biogeography as suggested by fossil wood record

After the ecological discontinuity of the Aptian/Albian boundary, new biocoenoses were established. In the continental domain, ecosystems in which angiosperms began to play a role appeared, and soon became the framework for the success of this group, with considerable consequences. However, little is known about the palaeobiogeography of this period. The study of new wood fossils from south-western Europe together with bibliographical data shows that continental biogeography was compartmentalised there, with a strong north–south gradient. A weaker east–west gradient is also suggested. •Fossil wood data fromt the Albian of SW Europe are compiled, together with new data.•These data suggest a geographical differentiation of terrestrial phytocenoses.•Boreal wood flora occured as far south as the latitude of Paris.•Wood floras were more diverse in the east of the zone than in the west.