Terrestrial biome distribution in the Late Neogene inferred from a black carbon record in the northeastern equatorial Pacific

摘要: The appearance and expansion of C4 plants in the Late Cenozoic was a dramatic example terrestrial ecological change. fire hypothesis, which suggests as major cause grassland is gaining support, yet more detailed relationship between vegetation-type change remains unresolved. We report content stable carbon isotope record black (BC) sediment core retrieved from northeastern equatorial Pacific that covers past 14.3 million years. BC development process flammable ecosystem. reveals existence Miocene expansion, ‘C4 maximum period burned biomass’ during Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, collapse Pleistocene. Records showing initial after large support role destructive agent C3-dominated forest, weak relationships vegetation suggest environmental advantages for were necessary maintain late Neogene. Among various factors, aridity likely most influential expansion.