Researchers from Cambridge University and Cardiff University have made a groundbreaking discovery on the north coast of Devon and Somerset in the U.K. They have found the Earth’s oldest fossil forest, dating back approximately 390 million years.
This forest, located on the east coast of the Old Red Sandstone continent, is home to trees that are 4 to 5 million years older than the previous record holder in Cairo, New York. The fossils belong to a pioneering type of tree known as cladoxylopsids, which dominated terrestrial ecosystems for about 5 million years.
Published in the Journal of the Geological Society, the findings provide valuable insights into the evolution of trees and their impact on the world we live in today. Dr. Christopher Berry of Cardiff University, who identified the fossils, described them as the oldest fossil trees ever found in Britain, filling a gap in vegetational history.
The Calamophyton trees found in the forest were unlike modern trees, with hollow trunks and branches covered in twig-like structures. The researchers also discovered evidence of the bases of the trees and their fallen trunks, giving insight into the environmental context and spacing of the trees during their existence.
It is believed that the site of the fossil forest was shifted along a geological fault during the Carboniferous period when Africa collided with Europe. Professor Neil Davies of Cambridge University, the study’s first author, emphasized the importance of exploring British rocks for new discoveries that can provide crucial information about Earth’s development. This discovery highlights the rich history of vegetation on Earth and the role of trees in shaping our planet.
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