Fig. 6: Global potential relative biomass, runoff, average temperature and CO2 level during the Phanerozoic (540–0 Ma).
From: Climate windows of opportunity for plant expansion during the Phanerozoic
Temperature and runoff depend on the predicted CO2 level. Grey shaded area represents the min/max values obtained at the min/max CO2 level for each panel apart from E. Time periods are highlighted at the bottom of the figure. Parameters and biomass used in Taylor et al.16 are shown in orange; the length of the solid line represents time periods used. Ma: million years ago (A) Relative biomass over time (kg C relative to present). Green highlights show predicted embryophyte and angiosperm radiation4,42. B Total terrestrial land area (m2) present at each time point. C, D Average surface temperature (°C) and relative runoff, respectively. Taken from Goddéris et al.20 E Average CO2 (ppm). Light grey area: an approximate CO2 value was chosen for time periods between 430–0 Ma using Foster et al.55. Dark grey area: approximate CO2 values were taken from GEOCARBSULF and COPSE model predictions taken from Mills et al.56.
