Evidence for water use efficiency as an important factor in determining the δD values of tree leaf waxes

D/H ratios of sedimentary leaf waxes can provide useful information about past climate change. However, factors controlling δD values of higher plant leaf waxes (δDwax) are poorly understood. Here we show that δDwax values are negatively correlated with δ13C values of leaf waxes (δ13Cwax), based on a study of 35 leaf samples of 11 tree species around Blood Pond, Massachusetts (USA). Our data suggest that plant water use efficiency exerts an important control on the δDwax variation among tree species.