Leaf Margin Analysis

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Leaf Margin Analysis (LMA) A technique for estimating mean annual temperatures in the past from the proportion of dicotyle-donous plant species present that had untoothed leaf margins, based on the observation of a strong positive relationship between warmth and plants with smooth-edged leaves. In addition to this univariate approach there is also a multivariate technique. See CLIMATE-LEAF ANALYSIS MULTIVARIATE PROGRAM.