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 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…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: 0742363
• UD
  U.S. Department of Transportation
• NG
  National Geographic Society
• ND
  North Dakota Department of Transportation
• UF
  U.S. Forest Service
• UB
  U.S. Bureau of Land Management