A Systems Approach to Understanding How Plants Transformed Earth's Environment in Deep Time

Terrestrial plants have transformed Earth's surface environments by altering water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles. Studying vegetation-climate interaction in deep time has necessarily relied on modern-plant analogs to represent paleo-ecosystems—as methods for reconstructing paleo- and, particular, extinct-plant function were lacking. This approach is potentially compromised given that plant physiology evolved through time, some paleo-plants no clear modern analog. Advancements the quantitative reconstruction of whole-plant provide new opportunities replace capture age-specific interactions. Here, we review recent investigations paleo-plant performance integration fossil geologic data with process-based ecosystem- Earth system–scale models explore how early vascular responded influenced climate. First, present an argument characterizing extinct terms ecological evolutionary theory a framework advancing reconstructed interactions time. We discuss novel mechanistic understanding provided applying these approaches late Paleozoic ever-wet tropics at higher latitudes. Finally, preliminary applications state-of-the-art system model highlight potential implications different functional strategies our ▪ For hundreds millions years, been keystone maintaining status atmosphere, oceans, Extinct functioned differently across limiting processes interact produce New methods, reviewed here, allow based record. Integrating into ecosystem climate will expand vegetation's role past environmental change.