ROOT TRACES-RHIZOLITHS Description: Filamentous to tubular structures that range in diameter from 0.1-100+ cm. They commonly taper downwards and exhibit downward and lateral branching of smaller diameter that also taper along their lengths. Tubular structures may also have filamentous traces associated along their outer walls and at their terminations. Filamentous traces exhibit patterns that are fractal. Overall depths (length = > depth) ranges from 1-100+ cm; rarely do they range between 500-1000 cm. Interpretation: The architectural and surficial morphologies of these traces reflect patterns produced by ground plants and trees with roots or rooting structures. Major types of root patterns include shallow (adventitious) roots, buttressed trunks, tap roots (with secondary branching), prop (stilt) roots, neumatophores (breathing tubes) and clinging roots of vines (Piefferkorn and Fuchs, 1991). Types of preservation include cellular structure (petrifications), coaly films, molds and casts (steinkerns), drab haloes, rhizocretions, deflections of bedding planes, and brecciations and tepee structures in carbonate (klappa, 1981; Retallack, 1990; Pfefferkorn and Fuchs, 1991). Roots and rooting structures of plants are true trace fossils in that they preserve the behavior of the plant with respect to the substrate conditions. Roots live and die, move upward and downward depending on the soil moisture and water table levels, and grow through and around obstructions and hard layers in the subsurface. Geologic Range: Ordovician to Recent (Hasiotis, 1997a; Retallack, 1990; Hasiotis et al., 1999). Trophic Classification: Roots are used to obtain moisture and nutrients from the substrate. They are also used for upright support of the plant and are modified according the character of the substrate and the environment. Environmental & Climatic Settings: Root traces are found in weakly- to well-developed paleosols formed on proximal to distal alluvial and marginal-lacustrine to shallow lacustrine environments. The uppermost part of the rooted horizon represents discontinuity surfaces of variable duration time. The architecture, pattern, and overall depth of roots and rooting structures reflects the depth and fluctuation of soil moisture zones and the water table. In turn, these features are controlled by the local and regional climatic setting. Well-drained soils have deep roots, whereas dry soils have shallow, irregularly dispersed roots. Lateral roots and flank-buttressed trees also associated with wet soil features reflect swampy settings with high water tables. Roots in drier climates are found in clumps and bunches and are associated with carbonate nodules, brecciations, hardpans, and fragipans. fiberous flank-buttressed toon Peers thizome 1h Oem tap roots pe —in® Dem Cross-section of root patterns 4" diameter core 108