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Vegetation changes accelerated climate shifts during the late Miocene, study finds

Vegetation changes accelerated climate shifts during the late Miocene, study finds
The vegetation in northern high latitudes was likely dense forest before cooling temperatures transformed it into grassland during the Late Miocene —a shift that further accelerated global cooling. Credit: Ran Zhang

New research reveals that shifts in plant life played a key role in speeding up major climate changes during the late Miocene, a period spanning 11.6 to 5.3 million years ago.

During this time, Earth’s climate shifted from the warm conditions of the middle Miocene to conditions closer to what we experience today, turning forests into grasslands and forcing animals like horses and elephants to evolve tougher teeth for eating gritty plants. At the same time, predators like big cats adapted to hunting in open plains, reshaping life on land forever.

So what caused this major climate shift?

Previous studies pointed to falling carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and tectonic movements as the main drivers of these changes.

However, these factors alone couldn’t fully explain the global climate transition.

Now, a study led by Professor Ran Zhang from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlights how vegetation feedbacks—changes in plant cover that influence climate—intensified cooling in the northern high latitudes and altered rainfall patterns in lower latitudes.

The findings, published in Science Advances, show that vegetation changes amplified cooling by altering surface reflectivity (albedo) and interacting with water vapor, clouds, and sea ice. These effects were even stronger than those caused by CO2 decline alone in some regions.

By combining geological data and climate models, the study clarifies the distinct roles of CO2, tectonic changes, and vegetation feedbacks in shaping the late Miocene climate.

“This research helps us better understand the mechanisms behind the late Miocene climate shift and underscores how vegetation feedbacks can influence global climate—both in the past and in the future,” said Professor Zhang.

Unlike today’s rapid, CO2-driven warming, the Late Miocene was marked by cooling and CO2 decline.

The study highlights the often-overlooked impact of plant life on climate systems, offering insights for both historical and future climate change research.

More information:
Ran Zhang et al, Vegetation feedbacks accelerated the late Miocene climate transition, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ads4268. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads4268

Provided by
Chinese Academy of Sciences


Citation:
Vegetation changes accelerated climate shifts during the late Miocene, study finds (2025, May 2)
retrieved 2 May 2025
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