In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have confirmed the existence of the world’s oldest surviving forest, nestled in the Catskill Mountains just a two-hour drive from New York City. Discovered in 2009 in an abandoned quarry near Cairo, the forest, dating back an astounding 386 million years, provides a remarkable window into Earth’s distant past.
Researchers from the State University of New York at Binghamton and the University of Cardiff have diligently studied the area, revealing fossilized examples of ancient trees, including cladoxylopsids, among the earliest known trees that formed intricate forests. This extraordinary find sheds light on early forest ecosystems and the evolution of plant life during the Devonian period.
Spanning approximately 250 miles, the primordial forest played a pivotal role in transforming Earth’s atmosphere and climate. Insights gained from this discovery contribute significantly to our understanding of environmental conditions during a time when the first forests were taking root, fundamentally shaping the planet’s future.
Preserved exclusively for scientific research, the Cairo forest site stands as a testament to Earth’s rich history and invaluable contributions to the scientific understanding of our planet’s ancient past.
