24 million year old fossil leaves unearthed in Assam reveal ancient climate shifts
Recent fossil discoveries in the Makum Coalfield of Assam, India, have shed light on ancient biodiversity. Researchers at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences discovered fossil leaves of the genus Nothopegia (approximately 24 million years old) in the Makum Coalfield. This genus of plant species was formerly confined only to India’s Western Ghats, a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO. The research allows for knowledge about biodiversity to be retained, and the way this past biodiversity responded to climate change and geological change on a timescale of epochs of millions of years is underscored.
Fossil discovery in Assam
The researchers found fossil leaves in the Makum Coalfield of India, a unique place known for notable deposits of fossils. The fossil leaves were studied to obtain their morphological features, and their morphology compared to herbaria specimens to identify them as Nothopegia, a genus no longer found in Northeast India
Age of the fossils and significance
The fossil leaves are dated to the late Oligocene Epoch. They are dated to approximately 24–23 million years ago. The presence of this ancient plant contributes useful knowledge about past biodiversity and ecosystem processes in the context of South Asia.
Climate conditions in ancient northeast India
The data analysis and literature indicated that northeast India experienced warm, humid conditions in the late Oligocene period. The historical temperature and precipitation conditions state was obtained using implementation of a variety of analytical techniques including the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program. The conditions presented an appropriate climatic situation for Nothopegia to flourish.
Geological Change and Its Influence
Geological change has taken place over millions of years. The rise of the Himalayas shifted temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns. This change caused the climate to become less amenable to tropical species, and ultimately Nothopegia also disappeared from northeast India.
Sustaining Nothopegia in the Western Ghats
Nothopegia additionally disappeared from northeast India, but sustained itself in a stable climate, in the Western Ghats. It is a good example of the survival potential of biodiversity refuges, even when conditions become less hospitable as a change occurs.
Study Methods and Approach
The study method was multidisciplinary, including paleobotany, systematics, and climate modelling. This approach allows the study of how the ecology has changed for Nothopegia over millions of years, since as far back as the Cretaceous, and better explains species response to climate change.
Implications for Current Biodiversity
The results identify the historic extinction and migration patterns, particularly with climate change. The acceleration of climate change influenced by human activity since the industrial revolution creates big trouble. The Natural History of Nothopegia contains invaluable knowledge about how modern plants too might adapt, or migrate, due to environmental pressure.
Biodiversity conservation is important
Protection of biodiversity hotspots, including the Western Ghats, is critical. These areas continue to sustain ancient species, and the research identifies the urgency of conservation needs to ensure biodiversity persists despite current climate stresses.