Southwest England Unveils World’s Oldest Forest, Surpassing New York’s Record
In a surprising turn of events, the title for the world’s oldest forest has been snatched away from New York and bestowed upon southwest England. Previously believed to be 386 million years old, the fossilized trees nestled within the Hangman Sandstone Formation of Somerset and Devon have proven to be even older, dating back a staggering 390 million years. This discovery has surpassed the previous record held by New York state, leaving researchers astounded by the ancient forest’s existence.
The Hangman Sandstone Formation, which dates back to the Middle Devonian period (393 million to 383 million years ago), was previously thought to contain only rare plant fossils. However, recent research has unveiled a treasure trove of plant fossils, including standing plant fossils and cladoxylopsids – an extinct group of plants related to ferns and horsetails.
While these cladoxylopsids stood at a modest height of 2 to 4 meters (6.5 and 13 feet), their age is what truly sets them apart. Lead author of the study, Neil Davies, explained that although the forest wouldn’t have been very tall, it holds immense significance due to its age. The study presents the earliest fossil evidence for such trees in Britain and the oldest evidence of a fossil forest worldwide.
Davies further elaborated on the findings, stating, “We’ve found rocks where you’ve got standing trees in growth positions adjacent to each other over a set area, so we’re looking at a snapshot where we can tell for definite that there were trees growing in that specific location and that the sediment we’re looking at is the forest floor.” This discovery provides a unique glimpse into the past, offering concrete evidence of a thriving forest ecosystem millions of years ago.
In addition to the cladoxylopsid tree Calamophyton, the researchers also discovered traces of other Middle Devonian flora and even signs of ancient creatures in the form of trackways. The sediment surrounding these primitive plants offers valuable insights into the impact of the earliest forests. The study authors explain, “The Hangman Sandstone Formation is illustrative of the revolutionary power of cladoxylopsid trees as biogeomorphic agents, forming densely spaced forests and shedding exceptionally abundant plant debris, whilst also impacting local landforms and sediment accumulations and profoundly changing landform resilience against flood disturbance events.” Essentially, this suggests that 390 million years ago marked the onset of tree-driven changes that forever altered Earth’s non-marine landscapes and biosphere, paving the way for the flourishing of forests.
While this newly discovered fossil forest may hold the title for the oldest known forest, it pales in comparison to the age of living trees. The oldest known living tree is a mere 5,400 years old, making it a sapling compared to the cladoxylopsids of the Hangman Sandstone Formation. However, both trees are overshadowed by the longevity of sharks, which have been swimming through our oceans for a staggering 450 million years – enough time to circle the galaxy twice.
The groundbreaking study revealing the world’s oldest forest has been published in the Journal of the Geological Society. This remarkable find not only sheds light on Earth’s ancient past but also emphasizes the transformative power of forests throughout history. As we continue to uncover the secrets hidden within our planet’s geological formations, we gain a deeper understanding of our own origins and the intricate relationship between life and the environment.