"Devon and Somerset Coast Unveils World's Oldest Fossilized Forest Dating Back 390 Million Years"
Scientists have discovered the world's oldest fossilized forest in southwest England, dating back 390 million years, surpassing the previous record by 4 million years. The forest, from the Devonian Period, featured Calamophyton trees that resembled palm trees with thin, hollow trunks and twig-like structures. These trees played a crucial role in stabilizing riverbanks and coastlines, and provided a habitat for early invertebrates. The findings shed light on the rapid development of early forests and offer insights into the ecology of this ancient forest.