An important tree fossil discovered at Devon Cove
According to municipal leaders, a "groundbreaking" fossil has been found in
a portion of south Devon.
According to the Torbay Council, Dr. Kevin Page discovered the lycopsid
fossils—trees thought to be roughly 377 million years old—while surveying
Saltern Cove, which is located close to Paignton and is a part of the English
Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.
According to the council, huge trees that formerly helped produce coal were
descended from lycopsids, which resembled palm trees.
The discovery was described as a "wonderful find" by Dr. Page, honorary senior
research fellow at the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, and president
of ProGEO [the International Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage].
An island in the Devonian desert
These fossils are extremely important because they shed light on Torbay's prehistoric
ecology, including the existence of volcanic islands with trees growing on them,
according to Dr. Page.
"This may be the earliest documented instance of a tree-covered Devonian
desert island."
The fossil may usher in a "new chapter" of shifting circumstances and habitats
at the location, according to Melanie Border, coordinator of Geopark.
"Up until now, our rocks from the Devonian age have solely shown signs of a marine
environment," she continued.
However, the fact that we now have proof of volcanic islands and forests is really
fascinating.
By George Thorpe
Source bbc.com
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