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Article: Investigating Devonian trees as geo‐engineers of past climates: linking palaeosols to palaeobotany and experimental geobiology

Palaeontology - Vol. 58 Part 5 - Cover Image
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 58
Part: 5
Publication Date: September 2015
Page(s): 787 801
Author(s): Jennifer L. Morris, Jonathan R. Leake, William E. Stein, Christopher M. Berry, John E. A. Marshall, Charles H. Wellman, J. Andrew Milton, Stephen Hillier, Frank Mannolini, Joe Quirk, and David J. Beerling
Addition Information

How to Cite

MORRIS, J.L., LEAKE, J.R., STEIN, W.E., BERRY, C.M., MARSHALL, J.E.A., WELLMAN, C.H., MILTON, J.A., HILLIER, S., MANNOLINI, F., QUIRK, J., BEERLING, D.J. 2015. Investigating Devonian trees as geo‐engineers of past climates: linking palaeosols to palaeobotany and experimental geobiology. Palaeontology, 58, 5, 787-801. DOI: 10.1111/pala.12185

Author Information

  • Jennifer L. Morris - University of Sheffield Department of Animal and Plant Sciences Sheffield UK (Email: j.l.morris@sheffield.ac.uk)
  • Jonathan R. Leake - University of Sheffield Department of Animal and Plant Sciences Sheffield UK (Email: j.r.leake@sheffield.ac.uk)
  • William E. Stein - Binghamton University Department of Biological Sciences Binghamton NY USA (Email: stein@binghamton.edu)
  • Christopher M. Berry - Cardiff University School of Earth and Ocean Sciences Cardiff UK (Email: berrycm@cardiff.ac.uk)
  • John E. A. Marshall - University of Southampton National Oceanography Centre School of Ocean and Earth Science Southampton UK (Email: jeam@noc.soton.ac.uk)
  • Charles H. Wellman - University of Sheffield Department of Animal and Plant Sciences Sheffield UK (Email: c.wellman@sheffield.ac.uk)
  • J. Andrew Milton - University of Southampton National Oceanography Centre School of Ocean and Earth Science Southampton UK (Email: james.a.milton@noc.soton.ac.uk)
  • Stephen Hillier - The James Hutton Institute Environmental and Biochemical Sciences Aberdeen UK (Email: stephen.hillier@hutton.ac.uk)
  • Stephen Hillier - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Department of Soil and Environment Uppsala Sweden
  • Frank Mannolini - New York State Museum Albany NY USA (Email: frank.mannolini@nysed.gov)
  • Joe Quirk - University of Sheffield Department of Animal and Plant Sciences Sheffield UK (Email: j.quirk@sheffield.ac.uk)
  • David J. Beerling - University of Sheffield Department of Animal and Plant Sciences Sheffield UK (Email: d.j.beerling@sheffield.ac.uk)

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 28 August 2015
  • Article first published online: 01 January 1970
  • Manuscript Accepted: 04 June 2015
  • Manuscript Received: 18 February 2015

Funded By

NERC Standard Grant. Grant Numbers: NE/J007471/1, NE/J007897, NE/J00815X/1

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library (Open Access)
Get Article: Wiley Online Library [Open Access]

Abstract

We present the rationale for a cross‐disciplinary investigation addressing the ‘Devonian plant hypothesis’ which proposes that the evolutionary appearance of trees with deep, complex rooting systems represents one of the major biotic feedbacks on geochemical carbon cycling during the Phanerozoic. According to this hypothesis, trees have dramatically enhanced mineral weathering driving an increased flux of Ca2+ to the oceans and, ultimately, a 90% decline in atmospheric CO2 levels through the Palaeozoic. Furthermore, experimental studies indicate a key role for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil–plant processes and especially in unlocking the limiting nutrient phosphorus in soil via Ca‐phosphate dissolution mineral weathering. This suggests co‐evolution of roots and symbiotic fungi since the Early Devonian could well have triggered positive feedbacks on weathering rates whereby root–fungal P release supports higher biomass forested ecosystems. Long‐standing areas of uncertainty in this paradigm include the following: (1) limited fossil record documenting the origin and timeline of the evolution of tree‐sized plants through the Devonian; and (2) the effects of the evolutionary advance of trees and their in situ rooting structures on palaeosol geochemistry. We are addressing these issues by integrating palaeobotanical studies with geochemical and mineralogical analyses of palaeosol sequences at selected sites across eastern North America with a particular focus on drill cores from Middle Devonian forests in Greene County, New York State.

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