Tropical plants discovered in Tasmania’s ancient Polar Forest
Dr Miriam Slodownik at the Lowana outcrop. Credit: Gregory Jordan
School of Biological Sciences recent PhD graduate makes discovery about evolution of southern rainforests.
New remains of a 53-million-year-old polar forest have been unearthed near Macquarie Harbour in western Tasmania, unveiling previously unknown ancestral origins of rainforest plants in the southern polar region.
The finding, made by recent University of Adelaide PhD graduate, Dr Miriam Slodownik, sheds light on the extent and evolution of southern rainforests during the early Eocene epoch – the last period of extreme greenhouse conditions on Earth.
"This discovery offers rare insights into a time when global temperatures were much higher than today," said Dr Slodownik.
"Tasmania was much closer to the South Pole, but the warm global climate allowed lush forests to thrive in these regions."
The discovery was made near Strahan, Western Tasmania, and uncovered an array of plant life, including two newly identified conifer species: Podocarpus paralungatikensis and Araucaria timkarikensis.
A variety of fern and tree species were also discovered, many of which are ancestors of the flora now found in regions such as Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and South America.