Abstract
The Chicxulub bolide impact caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction of plants, but the associated selectivity and ecological effects are poorly known. Using a unique set of North Dakota leaf fossil assemblages spanning 2.2 Myr across the event, we show among angiosperms a reduction of ecological strategies and selection for fast-growth strategies consistent with a hypothesized recovery from an impact winter. Leaf mass per area (carbon investment) decreased in both mean and variance, while vein density (carbon assimilation rate) increased in mean, consistent with a shift towards “fast” growth strategies. Plant extinction from the bolide impact resulted in a shift in functional trait space that likely had broad consequences for ecosystem functioning.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | PLoS Biology |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
Cite this
Plant Ecological Strategies Shift Across the Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary. / Blonder, Benjamin; Royer, Dana L.; Johnson, Kirk R.; Miller, Ian; Enquist, Brian J.
In: PLoS Biology, Vol. 12, No. 9, 01.01.2014.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Plant Ecological Strategies Shift Across the Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary
AU - Blonder, Benjamin
AU - Royer, Dana L.
AU - Johnson, Kirk R.
AU - Miller, Ian
AU - Enquist, Brian J.
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - The Chicxulub bolide impact caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction of plants, but the associated selectivity and ecological effects are poorly known. Using a unique set of North Dakota leaf fossil assemblages spanning 2.2 Myr across the event, we show among angiosperms a reduction of ecological strategies and selection for fast-growth strategies consistent with a hypothesized recovery from an impact winter. Leaf mass per area (carbon investment) decreased in both mean and variance, while vein density (carbon assimilation rate) increased in mean, consistent with a shift towards “fast” growth strategies. Plant extinction from the bolide impact resulted in a shift in functional trait space that likely had broad consequences for ecosystem functioning.
AB - The Chicxulub bolide impact caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction of plants, but the associated selectivity and ecological effects are poorly known. Using a unique set of North Dakota leaf fossil assemblages spanning 2.2 Myr across the event, we show among angiosperms a reduction of ecological strategies and selection for fast-growth strategies consistent with a hypothesized recovery from an impact winter. Leaf mass per area (carbon investment) decreased in both mean and variance, while vein density (carbon assimilation rate) increased in mean, consistent with a shift towards “fast” growth strategies. Plant extinction from the bolide impact resulted in a shift in functional trait space that likely had broad consequences for ecosystem functioning.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001949
DO - 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001949
M3 - Article
C2 - 25225914
AN - SCOPUS:84920452784
VL - 12
JO - PLoS Biology
JF - PLoS Biology
SN - 1544-9173
IS - 9
ER -