Pollen and fossilized wood from an ancient cool-temperate rainforest were accidentally discovered on the Falkland Islands, which are now treeless. The discovery, led by Dr. Zoë Thomas, provides direct evidence that the islands once supported a forest containing southern beech and podocarps. The findings, published in the journal Antarctic Science, indicate that the forest existed during the mid-to-late Cenozoic era, a warmer period that allowed rainforests to thrive at higher latitudes.

A subsequent shift to colder, windier conditions, combined with the islands’ topography, led to the forest’s disappearance, making way for the grasslands that dominate today. This discovery is significant for climate science, offering valuable data for testing climate models.

Source: Earth.com