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Leaf evolution: gases, genes and geochemistry.

David J Beerling1

  • 1Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. d.j.beerling@sheffield.ac.uk

Annals of Botany
|June 21, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Plant evolution, particularly the development of large leaves, was influenced by atmospheric CO2 levels. Plants also played a role in regulating CO2, impacting their own evolutionary trajectory.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Palaeontology
  • Geochemistry
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • A 40-50 million year gap exists between the origin of vascular plants and the evolution of large (megaphyll) leaves.
  • Molecular genetics reveals that leaf development mechanisms predated large leaf evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a mechanistic framework for the evolutionary gap between vascular plant origination and megaphyll leaf advent.
  • To explore the role of atmospheric CO2 in plant evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of palaeontology, geochemistry, and developmental biology.
  • Analysis of molecular genetics data.
  • Theoretical modeling of CO2 concentration changes.

Main Results:

  • Leaf development potential was realized with declining atmospheric CO2 in the late Palaeozoic.
  • Terrestrial plant evolution accelerated CO2 decline through enhanced weathering and carbon burial.
  • Plants influenced their own evolution by regulating atmospheric CO2.

Conclusions:

  • Plant evolution and atmospheric CO2 are intricately linked through vegetation feedbacks.
  • These feedbacks regulated the long-term carbon cycle.
  • Late Palaeozoic feedbacks destabilized CO2 and climate but accelerated plant and animal evolution.

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