Remains of world’s oldest forest found in New York
Recommended for Middle Grades
Scientists recently said that they have discovered the world’s oldest forest in Cairo, New York in the US. They have found fossils of 385-million-year-old root networks which belonged to the world’s oldest tree-like plants.
They reconstructed the fossils in a nearby town and found that there were three kinds of trees found in the forests.
What were the trees that lived in the world’s oldest forest?
Some trees known as cladoxylopsids were 10 metres large in size, and they look like celery trees. The second type of trees, called archaeopteris, looked like pine trees. But they were hairy and they have long leaves. Adding to it, the third long-lost plants had a round base and fern-like branches and they belonged to the family of eospermatopteris.
New findings
Earlier, scientists had discovered fossils of eospermatopteris trees in Gilboa, New York. They had thought it was the oldest site to have the trees. But the Cairo site is 2 or 3 million years older than Gilboa, making it the world’s oldest forest. Moreover, these eospermatopteris trees were in existence for more than 16,000 years.
The researchers have also found evidence of deeper root systems that belong to the archaeopteris family. These trees have wooden branches and true leaves that can photosynthesize.
The new findings also suggest that the earliest trees could colonize (live in) a range of environments.
Curious Times is committed to providing the best experience and news to children. We bring to you the Curious Times Weekly with the top news of the week. You can also check out The Curious Magazine, the first children’s magazine with all the great content by the children, for the children. We would love for you, dear children, to write and get your stories, art, thoughts and more published at My Expressions.
Over 100,000 children are benefitting from Curious Times today! We continue to seek your valuable feedback to serve you better. Feel free to write to us at hello@curioustimes.in.You can also follow us on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Youtube, Twitter, LinkedIn.
0 (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)