Forest of ages

The Earth's oldest fossil forest has been uncovered on the north coast of Devon and Somerset in the United Kingdom, according to scientists. These ancient trees, estimated to be around 390 million years old, were part of a vast forest that covered the east coast of the Old Red Sandstone continent, which was a part of Europe during that time period.

This discovery makes the Somerset forest approximately 4 to 5 million years older than the previous record holder in Cairo, New York, in the United States.

The fossils, which were found by researchers from Cambridge University and identified at Cardiff University, consist of incomplete trunks up to 2 meters long and small branches. They belong to a type of tree called cladoxylopsids, which were pioneers in their time.

Cladoxylopsids dominated terrestrial ecosystems for about 5 million years before more modern woody trees emerged around 385 million years ago, as stated by the research team.

The findings, published in the Journal of the Geological Society, provide new insights into the evolution of trees and their significant role in shaping the world as we know it today.

Dr. Christopher Berry, a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences who identified the fossils, expressed, "These Calamophyton trees are the oldest fossil trees ever discovered in Britain and fill a gap in our understanding of the history of vegetation."

"The earliest preserved record of fossil forests, where tree bases are found in their original living positions, dates back to those found in New York State, specifically Cairo and Gilboa, approximately 385 million years ago."

"Although the exposed rock area is limited and poses risks, our recent discovery is the oldest and clearest example of this geological phenomenon known to date. It provides direct insights into the ecology of the oldest forests that existed 390 million years ago." The trunks of these trees were hollow at the center, surrounded by a ring of woody supporting strands instead of solid wood. Their branches were covered in numerous twig-like structures rather than leaves.

These trees were notably shorter than their descendants, reaching heights between 2 and 4 meters. As they grew, they shed their lower branches, dropping a significant amount of vegetation litter that provided support for invertebrates on the forest floor.

The team also discovered evidence of the tree bases and fallen trunks, providing insight into the environmental context and spacing of these trees during their lifetime.

Dr. Berry remarked, "The shape and structure of these formations strongly indicate that the Calamophyton trees were situated next to a raised bank near a small river channel.

"I was able to identify these tree trunks based on my 30 years of experience studying such fossils, particularly focusing on the best and most complete specimens of Calamophyton from Belgium and Germany, where they are well-documented but relatively rare.

"Nonetheless, it was quite surprising. After exploring various locations worldwide in search of the earliest forests, it's fascinating to realize that such localities can be found here on the South Wales coast."

The team suggests that the North Devon and Somerset site likely had a closer proximity to Belgium and Germany during the Devonian period before being shifted due to a significant geological fault during the Carboniferous period, coinciding with crustal compression and faulting when Africa collided with Europe.

Professor Neil Davies, the study's lead author from Cambridge University's Department of Earth Sciences, stated, "The Devonian period marked a significant change in Earth's life forms. It altered the interaction between water and land, with trees and other plants playing a crucial role in stabilizing sediment through their root systems. However, little is known about the earliest forests.

"The fossils found in this study capture a pivotal stage in Earth's evolution, highlighting the transformation in river dynamics during this period."