Terrestrial climate evolution in the Southwest Pacific over the past 30 million years

• Published in: Earth and planetary science letters Vol. 459; pp. 136 - 144
• Main Authors: Prebble, Joseph G., Reichgelt, Tammo, Mildenhall, Dallas C., Greenwood, David R., Raine, J. Ian, Kennedy, Elizabeth M., Seebeck, Hannu C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2017
• Subjects: bioclimatic analysis; Neogene; New Zealand; paleoclimate; pollen; New Zealand; Neogene; pollen; paleoclimate; bioclimatic analysis
• ISSN: 0012-821X; 1385-013X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2016.11.006

A reconstruction of terrestrial temperature and precipitation for the New Zealand landmass over the past ∼30 million years is produced using pollen data from >2000 samples lodged in the New Zealand Fossil Record Electronic Database and modern climate data of nearest living relatives. The reconstruction reveals a warming trend through the late Oligocene to early Miocene, peak warmth in the middle Miocene, and stepwise cooling through the late Neogene. Whereas the regional signal in our reconstruction includes a ∼5–10° northward tectonic drift, as well as an increase in high altitude biomes due to late Neogene and Pliocene uplift of the Southern Alps, the pattern mimics inferred changes in global ice extent, which suggests that global drivers played a major role in shaping local vegetation. Importantly, seasonal temperature estimates indicate low seasonality during the middle Miocene, and that subsequent Neogene cooling was largely due to cooler winters. We suggest that this may reflect increased Subantarctic influence on New Zealand vegetation as the climate cooled. •New Zealand climate since Oligocene time is inferred from >2300 pollen samples.•Oligocene warming until peak warmth of middle Miocene, cooling through late Neogene.•Seasonality increased after middle Miocene, as winters cooled through the Neogene.•Record reflects greater range of biomes following late Neogene mountain uplift.