Effect of global atmospheric carbon dioxide on glacial-interglacial vegetation change

Global vegetation changes at the time-scale of the Earth's orbital variations (10(4)-10(5) years) have been interpreted as a direct effect of consequential climatic changes, especially temperature. At mid- and high latitudes, the evidence from fossil data and general circulation models (GCMs) supporting this hypothesis is strong, but at low latitudes there is a major discrepancy. GCMs predict temperature changes that are less than those inferred from palaeoclimatic data, including the plant fossil record. However, changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations can account for a high proportion of the low-latitude vegetation change hitherto attributed to temperature change, and may thus explain the discrepancy. The implications of this finding are considerable for understanding patterns of macroevolution and ecosystem development throughout the geological record.