Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications

• Paleobotanists have long used models based on leaf size and shape to reconstruct paleoclimate. However, most models incorporate a single variable or use traits that are not physiologically or functionally linked to climate, limiting their predictive power. Further, they often underestimate paleote...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Iglesias, Ari
Formato: Articulo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2011
Materias:
Botánica
Ecología
Climate proxies
Leaf lifespan
Leaf physiognomy
Paleobotany
Paleoclimate
Phylogeny
Precipitation
Temperature
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/127051
Aporte de:
SEDICI (UNLP) de Universidad Nacional de La Plata
id I19-R120-10915-127051
record_format dspace
institution Universidad Nacional de La Plata
institution_str I-19
repository_str R-120
collection SEDICI (UNLP)
language Inglés
topic Botánica
Ecología
Climate proxies
Leaf lifespan
Leaf physiognomy
Paleobotany
Paleoclimate
Phylogeny
Precipitation
Temperature
spellingShingle Botánica
Ecología
Climate proxies
Leaf lifespan
Leaf physiognomy
Paleobotany
Paleoclimate
Phylogeny
Precipitation
Temperature
Iglesias, Ari
Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications
topic_facet Botánica
Ecología
Climate proxies
Leaf lifespan
Leaf physiognomy
Paleobotany
Paleoclimate
Phylogeny
Precipitation
Temperature
description • Paleobotanists have long used models based on leaf size and shape to reconstruct paleoclimate. However, most models incorporate a single variable or use traits that are not physiologically or functionally linked to climate, limiting their predictive power. Further, they often underestimate paleotemperature relative to other proxies. • Here we quantify leaf–climate correlations from 92 globally distributed, climatically diverse sites, and explore potential confounding factors. Multiple linear regression models for mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) are developed and applied to nine well-studied fossil floras. • We find that leaves in cold climates typically have larger, more numerous teeth, and are more highly dissected. Leaf habit (deciduous vs evergreen), local water availability, and phylogenetic history all affect these relationships. Leaves in wet climates are larger and have fewer, smaller teeth. Our multivariate MAT and MAP models offer moderate improvements in precision over univariate approaches (± 4.0 vs 4.8°C for MAT) and strong improvements in accuracy. For example, our provisional MAT estimates for most North American fossil floras are considerably warmer and in better agreement with independent paleoclimate evidence. • Our study demonstrates that the inclusion of additional leaf traits that are functionally linked to climate improves paleoclimate reconstructions. This work also illustrates the need for better understanding of the impact of phylogeny and leaf habit on leaf–climate relationships.
format Articulo
Articulo
author Iglesias, Ari
author_facet Iglesias, Ari
author_sort Iglesias, Ari
title Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications
title_short Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications
title_full Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications
title_fullStr Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications
title_full_unstemmed Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications
title_sort sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: global patterns and paleoclimatic applications
publishDate 2011
url http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/127051
work_keys_str_mv AT iglesiasari sensitivityofleafsizeandshapetoclimateglobalpatternsandpaleoclimaticapplications
bdutipo_str Repositorios
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