Scientists have unearthed the world's oldest known fossilised forest in southwest England, surpassing the previous record held by a forest in New York state by a staggering 4 million years. The findings, detailed in a press release from the University of Cambridge, shed new light on Earth's ancient ecosystems and the rapid evolution of life on land.
The fossils, dating back to a remarkable 390 million years ago, were uncovered within high sandstone cliffs along the southern side of the Bristol Channel near Minehead. The site, nestled close to a popular holiday park, has unveiled a treasure trove of ancient botanical wonders.
According to Neil Davies, a lecturer at the University of Cambridge's Earth Sciences department and the study's lead author, the forest is dominated by trees known as Calamophyton. These prehistoric giants, resembling palm trees with thin, hollow trunks and twig-like structures covering their branches, reached heights of 2-4 meters (6.6-13.1 feet) and played a crucial role in shaping their environment.
The discovery offers unprecedented insights into the early development of forests during the Devonian Period, a pivotal era when life transitioned from aquatic to terrestrial habitats. The fossils provide evidence of how these ancient trees stabilised riverbanks and coastlines, creating habitats for many invertebrates.
The research team also uncovered footprints and tail drags left by early anthropods, indicating a diverse ecosystem thriving beneath the towering Calamophyton trees. Despite the sparse nature of the discovered forest, Davies noted the remarkable speed at which ecosystems diversified over geological time.
Comparing the Somerset flora with the New York flora reveals how rapidly things changed in terms of geological time, Davies observed. Within a kind of geological blink of an eye, a lot more variety emerged. The fossils' unique preservation offers a glimpse into the ecological dynamics of ancient forests and the environmental conditions that shaped them. Christopher Berry, a palaeobotanist at Cardiff University, emphasised the significance of studying the fossils in their original context, providing invaluable insights into Earth's earliest forests.
"It is our first opportunity to look directly at the ecology of this earliest type of forest, to interpret the environment in which Calamophyton trees were growing, and to evaluate their impact on the sedimentary system," Berry expressed.
The discovery, made during a routine geological survey, underscores the importance of continued exploration in uncovering Earth's hidden history. Davies reflected on the fortuitous nature of the find, stating that they were surprised to find the forest because it's a part of the world that has been looked at quite extensively, and no one has ever found these things.