In a groundbreaking revelation, a fossilized tree discovered in England has been concluded to be part of the world's oldest forest. With an estimated age of 390 million years, this forest fossil surpasses the previously known Gilboa forest in New York, which was aged at 386 million years.
Neil Davies, a professor at the University of Cambridge who published his findings in the Geological Society journal, highlighted significant differences between the forests in England and New York. The ancient forest in New York appears to consist of various plant species, whereas in England, only one type of plant prevailed.
Quoted from Live Science, this plant is identified as cladoxylopsids, which are now extinct. "They look similar to palms, but they're not. Their central stem is elongated and resembles detached palm leaves, but these 'leaves' are actually numerous branches," explained Davies.
These trees stood at heights ranging from 2 to 4 meters. The fossil was unearthed in the Hangman Sandstone Formation, estimated to be between 393 to 383 million years old. During this period, known as the Devonian era, the region that is now England was part of a continent called Laurentia, characterized by a warm and dry climate.
While older trees have been found in other areas, as plants began to flourish on land around 500 million years ago, this new discovery represents the earliest example of a forest with densely packed and massive trees.
"We have found rocks where trees are standing in close growth positions in certain areas," Davies remarked. dell fortune ranking infos here
Among the fossilized trees, researchers also unearthed traces of small Devonian creatures. "At that time, there was nothing larger than a cluster of small arthropods roaming on land. You might find more amphibians and fish in some nearby lakes and rivers," he added.
This discovery not only sheds light on the ancient ecosystems of our planet but also emphasizes the importance of continued exploration and research in uncovering the mysteries of our Earth's history. The ancient forest of England stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of life throughout millions of years of evolution.
