Paleontologists from the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) and the Brazilian Antarctic Program (Proantar) found
The researchers collected carbonizedplant fossils in Cretaceous geological strata on the Antarctic Peninsula and King George Island in the South Shetland Islands off the coast of the continent. Analysis of these fragments showed that gymnosperms were the main form of vegetation in this region.
Paleoecological reconstruction of the influence of volcanism on plants of Antarctica. Image: Joseline Manfroi et al., Frontiers in Earth Science
The researchers also determined the reasonfires and reconstructed the paleoecological scenario of events. The analysis showed that active volcanism was the main source of fires. But these were not hot lava flows that swallowed up vegetation, but rather contact with pyroclastic clouds, consisting of volcanic ejecta. These heated ash clouds reached the forests, setting off natural plant fires, the scientists explain.
Fire impacts on vegetation were frequent, shaping and destroying southern forests during the Cretaceous, influencing evolution and floristic biodiversity in these areas of the globe.
Joselyn Manfroid, co-author of the study
Although Antarctica is currentlyis a large isolated land mass near the south pole, it did not always occupy this position. Over the course of geological eras, the continent has moved and changed as a result of constant tectonic movements. In the past, the mainland was home to a huge variety of animal and plant species that left their traces in the geological deposits.
Researchers believe that globalenvironmental change is one of the biggest challenges for humanity. Analysis and construction of scenarios of ecological evolution in the past will help predict possible changes in the future.
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