Why Ancient Forests May Reappear Due to Global Warming
- 12 years ago
Why Ancient Forests May Reappear Due to Global Warming - as part of the news series by GeoBeats.
An ancient forest on Bylot Island in Canada that is estimated by scientists to be between two and three million years old might be making a come back thanks to climate change.
Northern Canada is characterized by bitter cold and barren tundra, but a long time ago, pine, oak, spruce and hickory forests populated the landscape.
A new study by the University of Montreal has revealed that the climbing temperatures might create conditions suitable for the ancient forest to begin to grow again. Though the forest would take about a hundred years to grow, it remains a distinct possibility.
Fossilized and preserved samples of pollen have shown that the trees could flourish when the average temperature is zero degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
An expert from the University of Montreal says: "There is so much mystery that surrounds this forest. For example, how these trees managed to survive the relentless dark of the Arctic winter."
During the winter months in the Arctic Circle, the sun rises for only a few hours a day. This would make it difficult for plants to flourish.
An ancient forest on Bylot Island in Canada that is estimated by scientists to be between two and three million years old might be making a come back thanks to climate change.
Northern Canada is characterized by bitter cold and barren tundra, but a long time ago, pine, oak, spruce and hickory forests populated the landscape.
A new study by the University of Montreal has revealed that the climbing temperatures might create conditions suitable for the ancient forest to begin to grow again. Though the forest would take about a hundred years to grow, it remains a distinct possibility.
Fossilized and preserved samples of pollen have shown that the trees could flourish when the average temperature is zero degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
An expert from the University of Montreal says: "There is so much mystery that surrounds this forest. For example, how these trees managed to survive the relentless dark of the Arctic winter."
During the winter months in the Arctic Circle, the sun rises for only a few hours a day. This would make it difficult for plants to flourish.