Oligocene–Miocene CO2 fluctuations, climatic and palaeofloristic trends inferred from fossil plant assemblages in central Europe

Abstract

Stomatal frequency data from four independently calibrated woody plant species reveal pronounced CO2 fluctuations since the Late Oligocene. CO2 fluctuations in the Early to Middle Miocene are of such a magnitude that they may have driven much of the temperature variation and major climatic events.

Keywords

• vegetation
• CO2 concentrations
• Late Oligocene
• Miocene
• palaeoclimate