The discovery of a 53-million-year-old polar forest near Macquarie Harbour has shed light on the previously unknown ancestral origins of rainforest plants in the southern polar region.
The find was made by recent University of Adelaide PhD graduate Dr Miriam Slodownik during a research trip to the West Coast.
“This discovery offers rare insights into a time when global temperatures were much higher than today,” Slodownik said.
“Tasmania was much closer to the South Pole, but the warm global climate allowed lush forests to thrive in these regions.”
The excavation near Strahan uncovered a diverse 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.
“The most spectacular fossils are relatives of the Kauri, Bunja and Wollemi pines that give clues about the evolution of these iconic Australian trees,” Dr Slodownik said.
More than 400 new fossils have been examined using advanced techniques such as ultraviolet photography and microscopic analyses, revealing intricate details of leaf and cellular structures.
Slodownik said the insights have been crucial in understanding the relationship of these ancient plants to their modern counterparts.
“These fossils highlight the historical connections between Antarctica, South America and Australia, which were once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana,” she said.
“This study revealed the amazing diversity of Tasmania’s fossilised forest.”
“These plants tell the story of big changes in climate and the shifting tectonic plates over millions of years.”
