Ref ID:	26614
Ref Type:	Journal Article
Authors:	Cerling, Thure E. Harris, John M. MacFadden, Bruce J. Leakey, Meave G. Quade, Jay Eisenmann, Vera Ehleringer, James
Title:	Global vegetation change through the Miocene/Pliocene boundary
Date:	1997
Source:	Nature
DOI:	10.1038/38229
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.
Date Created:	5/14/2019
Volume:	389
Number:	6647
Page Start:	153
Page End:	158