Fossils of Quercus sect. Heterobalanus can help explain the uplift of the Himalayas.

Using data from previous research on Quercus sect. Heterobalanus, the coexistence approach to Xixabangma and Namling fossil sets, and altitudinal ranges of vegetation presented by fossil floras, a review and reevaluation have been made of existing theories on the uplift of the Himalayas, especially the palaeoaltitudes of Xixabangma and Namling in Tibet. The Xixabangma fossil set has a palaeoaltitude range of 2500–3500 m, and has risen 2200–3400 m since the Pliocene. The lower and upper assemblages of the Miocene Namling had palaeoaltitudes of 2500–3000 m and 2800–3000 m, respectively. Therefore, Namling has risen at least 1300 m since the Miocene, thereby challenging some existing theories that suggest Namling has been static since the Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]