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Scientists Analyze Responses of Leaf Wax n-alkane Carbon Isotopes to Precipitation Amount and Temperature

Jan 22, 2020

The carbon isotopes of leaf wax n-alkanes (δ13C) have well recorded the climate and environmental conditions during plant growth. They are an alternative indicator for studying the past hydroclimatic environment changes of the land. 

According to previous studies, leaf wax n-alkane δ13C values vary significantly within photosynthetic pathways (C3 vs. C4), or among plant types (dicots, monocots, gymnosperms, magnoliids). The "plant type effect" of this leaf wax carbon isotope will cause deviations in the reconstruction of the ancient environment. 

A research team led by associated professor LIU Jinzhao from the Institute of Earth Environment (IEE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences investigated the variations in n-alkane δ13C values with major plant groups, and analyzed the responses of n-alkane δ13C values among plant groups to precipitation amount and temperature, by compiling available leaf wax n-alkane δ13C data at the global scale. 

They found that the "plant type effect" of plant leaf wax carbon isotopes was clearly present on a global scale: leaf wax carbon isotopes were significantly different between C3 plants and C4 plants, as well as monocots and dicots. 

Moreover, leaf wax carbon isotopes of this different plant species respond differently to rainfall and temperature changes: leaf wax carbon isotopes in C3 plants mainly record rainfall signals, and leaf wax carbon isotopes in C4 plants mainly record temperature signals. 

This differential response of C3 plants and C4 plants to rainfall and temperature signals echoes the difference in ecological taxonomy between the two plant types (dicots vs. monocots). This is because different enzymes in the leaves of C3 plants and C4 plants cause differences in the pathways of carbon dioxide utilization. 

The study entitled "Leaf wax n-alkane carbon isotope values vary among major terrestrial plant groups: Different responses to precipitation amount and temperature and implication for paleoenvironmental reconstruction" was published in Earth Science Reviews. 

Contact

BAI Jie

Institute of Earth Environment

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Leaf wax n-alkane carbon isotope values vary among major terrestrial plant groups: Different responses to precipitation amount and temperature and implication for paleoenvironmental reconstruction

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