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Climate windows of opportunity for plant expansion during the Phanerozoic

Author

Listed:
  • Khushboo Gurung

    (University of Leeds
    University of Leeds)

  • Katie J. Field

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Sarah A. Batterman

    (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
    University of Leeds
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

  • Yves Goddéris

    (Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS‐Université de Toulouse III)

  • Yannick Donnadieu

    (CEREGE, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Coll France)

  • Philipp Porada

    (University of Hamburg)

  • Lyla L. Taylor

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Benjamin J. W. Mills

    (University of Leeds)

Abstract

Earth’s long-term climate may have profoundly influenced plant evolution. Local climatic factors, including water availability, light, and temperature, play a key role in plant physiology and growth, and have fluctuated substantially over geological time. However, the impact of these key climate variables on global plant biomass across the Phanerozoic has not yet been established. Linking climate and dynamic vegetation modelling, we identify two key ‘windows of opportunity’ during the Ordovician and Jurassic-Paleogene capable of supporting dramatic expansions of potential plant biomass. These conditions are driven by continental dispersion, paleolatitude of continental area and a lack of glaciation, allowing for an intense hydrological cycle and greater water availability. These windows coincide with the initial expansion of land plants and the later angiosperm radiation. Our findings suggest that the timing and expansion of habitable space for plants played an important role in plant evolution and diversification.

Suggested Citation

  • Khushboo Gurung & Katie J. Field & Sarah A. Batterman & Yves Goddéris & Yannick Donnadieu & Philipp Porada & Lyla L. Taylor & Benjamin J. W. Mills, 2022. "Climate windows of opportunity for plant expansion during the Phanerozoic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32077-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32077-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gavin L. Foster & Dana L. Royer & Daniel J. Lunt, 2017. "Future climate forcing potentially without precedent in the last 420 million years," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, April.
    2. P. Porada & T. M. Lenton & A. Pohl & B. Weber & L. Mander & Y. Donnadieu & C. Beer & U. Pöschl & A. Kleidon, 2016. "High potential for weathering and climate effects of non-vascular vegetation in the Late Ordovician," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Junguo Liu & Delong Li & He Chen & Hong Wang & Yoshihide Wada & Matti Kummu & Simon Newland Gosling & Hong Yang & Yadu Pokhrel & Philippe Ciais, 2024. "Timing the first emergence and disappearance of global water scarcity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Khushboo Gurung & Katie J. Field & Sarah A. Batterman & Simon W. Poulton & Benjamin J. W. Mills, 2024. "Geographic range of plants drives long-term climate change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.

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