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The multi-proxy approach is becoming an effective means to reduce uncertainties and errors compared to the single proxy approach. In this study, we investigated leaf wax biomarker and brGDGTs in topsoils along a semiarid elevation transect on the Chinese Loess Plateau. We found that both leaf wax n -alkane δ2H wax values and brGDGTs-derived M B T 5 M E ′ decreased significantly with elevation, and thus the coupled δ2H wax - M B T 5 M E ′ proxy can improve correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.96) compared to a single proxy (R2 = 0.82 and 0.90 for δ2H wax and M B T 5 M E ′ , respectively) and reduce the uncertainty (RMSE = 230 m) relative to a single proxy (RMSE = 275 m and 360 m for δ2H wax and M B T 5 M E ′ , respectively) in elevation estimates. Then we tested the effectiveness and advantages of coupled δ2H wax - M B T 5 M E ′ proxy from surface soils on the Tibetan Plateau compared to a single proxy. Collectively, the coupled δ2H wax - M B T 5 M E ′ proxy can be used as a potentially advantageous proxy for reconstructing paleoelevation in semiarid conditions. • A seasonal investigation of δ2H wax and brGDGTs was performed along a semiarid elevation transect. • The coupled δ2H wax - M B T 5 M E ′ proxy shows improved accuracy compared to a single proxy approach. • The benefit of using the coupled δ2H wax - M B T 5 M E ′ proxy is tested for paleoaltimetry in semiarid conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]