Integrating Plant Fossil Proxies and Biomarkers to Reconstruct Deep-Time Paleoclimate, Paleoecology, and Evolutionary Dynamics
1. Huy Nguyen, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Student, Vietnam
2. Vu Khanh Huong, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Lecturer, Vietnam
Reconstructing Earth's environmental past over geologic timescales is a central challenge in paleoscience. A robust understanding of deep-time paleoclimate, paleoecology, and evolutionary dynamics depends on integrating multiple independent proxies that capture different facets of Earth’s complex systems. This paper reviews and synthesizes evidence from plant fossil records—particularly fossil leaves and resins—and their associated biomarkers, along with geological and paleogeographic data, to reconstruct past climates and ecosystems. By bridging fossil morphology with organic geochemical signatures, we provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing climate fluctuations, vegetation dynamics, and biotic responses to major global events across Earth history. We emphasize methodological innovations, discuss case studies across the Phanerozoic, and highlight ongoing challenges and future research avenues in this integrative field.
plant fossils biomarkers paleoclimate reconstruction paleoecology evolutionary biology deep time fossil resins paleobotany leaf physiognomy
The integration of plant fossil proxies and biomarkers provides a multidimensional view of Earth’s deep-time environments. From morphological traits in fossil leaves to molecular signatures in ancient resins, these indicators reveal how terrestrial ecosystems have responded to climatic shifts, tectonic events, and evolutionary pressures. Coupling these biological signals with paleogeographic and modeling frameworks enhances our ability to reconstruct past climates with unprecedented resolution. As climate change accelerates in the modern era, these historical insights become ever more vital for predicting future ecological responses.
1. -
The author confirms sole responsibility for the following: study conception and design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, and manuscript preparation.
The authors did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Not applicable.
No conflicts of interest are reported by the authors.
I express my gratitude to those who provided expertise and assistance throughout this study and manuscript preparation. Special thanks to the anonymous peer reviewers for their valuable feedback.
Not applicable.