Paleoclimate estimates for the Paleogene-Neogene in southern South America using fossil leaves as proxies

It is widely recognized that fossil leaves are good proxies for paleoclimate estimates, and leaf physiognomy analysis is a traditional technique used to make climate estimates. There are only a few paleoclimate reconstructions for the southern part of South America based on this technique. Here we report climate parameters using fossil leaves from the Rio Turbio (Eocene-Oligocene) and Rio Guillermo (Oligocene-early Miocene?) formations in southern South America, Cuenca Austral, Argentina. We used univariate (leaf margin and leaf foliar area analysis) and multivariate methods (CLAMP, DiLP) on two datasets from South America, in the Southern Hemisphere. Lower and upper members of the Rio Turbio Formation show a mixed paleoflora represented by paratropical as well as cool-temperate taxa such as Nothofagus, with a similar percentage of untoothed fossil leaves. Climate estimates indicate warm and humid conditions for both Rio Turbio Formation members. The Rio Guillermo Formation is represented by mostly cool-temperate elements, mainly Nothofagus, and most with toothed margins. The paleoclimate analysis indicates a decrease in temperature and precipitation when comparing the two studied formations. Today, temperate forests in southern Argentina have a plant composition and climate more similar to the estimates made for the Rio Guillermo Formation.

Automated summary

Fossil leaves are widely used as proxies for paleoclimate estimates, with traditional leaf physiognomy analysis being a common technique. This study in southern South America utilized fossil leaves to estimate climate parameters from the Eocene-Oligocene and Oligocene-early Miocene formations, revealing differences in climate conditions between the two formations. The results showed warm and humid conditions for the Rio Turbio Formation members, while the Rio Guillermo Formation indicated a decrease in temperature and precipitation.