Earth’s Oldest Fossilized Forest Has Been Hiding Its Bizarre Trees For 390 Million Years
Earth's Oldest Fossilized Forest Has Been Hiding Its Bizarre Trees For 390 Million Years ScienceAlert
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The Oldest Fossilized Forest Discovered on the Somerset Coastline
The highest sea cliffs in England have revealed the oldest fossilized forest ever found on Earth. The ancient ecosystem, consisting of palm-like trees called Calamophytons, dates back 390 million years.
Breaking the Previous Record
This discovery surpasses the previous record holder, a fossilized forest found in New York State, which was approximately three to four million years younger.
A Cross-Section of Life in the Devonian Period
Located in southwest England, the red sandstone rock face where the fossils were found was once considered devoid of trace fossils. However, recent investigations have uncovered a rich cross-section of life from the Devonian Period. This period was characterized by plummeting sea levels, which created two massive continents known as Gondwana and Euramerica.
The Evolution of Trees
During this time, both animals and primitive plants quickly adapted to the new environment. The first trees to colonize the supercontinents were unlike any seen today. They lacked roots, leaves, spores, seeds, or a vascular system to transport water and nutrients. As a result, they remained close to coastlines and rivers.
The Discovery of Calamophyton Trees
The Calamophyton trees found on the Somerset coastline near Minehead had evolved roots and strands of vascular tissue in their stems. However, they were relatively small, reaching only two to four meters in height, with thin and hollow trunks.
Similar fossils of Calamophyton trees have been discovered in Germany, New York, and China. This is because when the Gondwana supercontinent existed, Germany was connected to the region where the fossils were found in England.
Insights into the Ancient Forest Ecosystem
Preserved in their original position, the fossilized trees provide valuable insights into the layout of the ancient forest ecosystem. Unlike the fossil forest in New York, these trees grew close together and were tightly packed.
This ancient forest was characterized by the absence of undergrowth and grass. Instead, the forest floor was covered in twigs shed by the densely-packed trees, which significantly impacted the landscape.
The Role of Calamophyton Trees in Earth’s History
Calamophyton trees did not have leaves but were covered in hundreds of small twigs that were regularly shed. As these woody debris accumulated on the forest floor, they enriched the soil with organic matter, marking the first reserves of organic matter on Earth.
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