History of Ancient Climate In the Leaves and Trees

Utilizing the leaf size and shape in order to reconstruct the climate 120 million years ago far more accurate than using current methods.

Geologists Baylor University and Wesleyan University to collect thousands of leaves of various species of plants from 92 different climate locations and diverse plants on every continent, except Africa and Antarctica.

"Paleobotanis has long used a model based on the size and shape of leaves in order to reconstruct the ancient climate," said assistant professor of geology Daniel Peppe.

However, most models use only one variable or variables that do not directly attributable to climate, "This is clearly limiting the predictive power of this model. "

Utilizing several variables, the researchers developed a mean annual temperature and average annual rainfall and compares with nine fossil flora has been learned very well.

Scientists discover, leaves in cold climates usually larger, and toothed lot. While the leaf in wet climates, larger but smaller and fewer teeth. The relationship of climate and leaf size and shape affected by the type of leaves, local water availability and the history of the evolution of leaves, explained the researchers.

"This study shows, the inclusion of the functional nature of climate-related leaves will enhance the reconstruction of paleoclimate," lid Peppe.