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Global vegetation change through the Miocene/Pliocene boundary

Author

Listed:
  • Thure E. Cerling

    (University of Utah)

  • John M. Harris

    (George C. Page Museum)

  • Bruce J. MacFadden

    (Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida)

  • Meave G. Leakey

    (The National Museums of Kenya)

  • Jay Quade

    (University of Arizona)

  • Vera Eisenmann

    (Laboratoire de Paléontologie, Museé National d'Histoire Naturelle)

  • James R. Ehleringer

    (University of Utah)

Abstract

Between 8 and 6 million years ago, there was a global increase in the biomass of plants using C4 photosynthesis as indicated by changes in the carbon isotope ratios of fossil tooth enamel in Asia, Africa, North America and South America. This abrupt and widespread increase in C4 biomass may be related to a decrease in atmospheric CO2 concentrations below a threshold that favoured C3-photosynthesizing plants. The change occurred earlier at lower latitudes, as the threshold for C3 photosynthesis is higher at warmer temperatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Thure E. Cerling & John M. Harris & Bruce J. MacFadden & Meave G. Leakey & Jay Quade & Vera Eisenmann & James R. Ehleringer, 1997. "Global vegetation change through the Miocene/Pliocene boundary," Nature, Nature, vol. 389(6647), pages 153-158, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:389:y:1997:i:6647:d:10.1038_38229
    DOI: 10.1038/38229
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel A. Lauer & A. Michelle Lawing & Rachel A. Short & Fredrick K. Manthi & Johannes Müller & Jason J. Head & Jenny L. McGuire, 2023. "Disruption of trait-environment relationships in African megafauna occurred in the middle Pleistocene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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