Arctic Heats Up, the Ancient Forest Nunavut Revived

An ancient forest once flourished 
on the Canadian Arctic's Bylot Island, 
and researchers say global warming 
may revive it. (Picture 
from: http://www.livescience.com/)

Global climate change is expected to "turn on" re a newly discovered ancient forest in northern Canada. Alexandre Guertin-Pasquier from the Department of Geography at the University of Montreal revealed that possibility in his presentation at the Canadian Paleontology Conference in Toronto, Monday, September 24, 2012.

"According to the data modeling, climatic conditions Bylot Island will be Able to support the life of a number of trees that we found in the fossil forest exist here, such as willow, pine, and spruce-fir kind," said Guertin-Pasquier.

View from the study site at the
beginning of the fieldwork in the 
end of June 2010. (Picture
from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/)

The Researchers also found evidence of the growth of oak and hickory trees near the study area in the period. "Although it took a while for the whole forest to grow back, the findings suggest future grandchildren can plant a tree and watch it grow," said Guertin-Pasquier.

Fossil forest found on Bylot Island, Nunavut was estimated to be between 2.6 and 3 million years old, based on the discovery and analysis paleomagnetik extinct species. Using a compass needle-anvil that has always moved with the magnetic poles, analysis paleomagnetik trying to see how the Earth's magnetic field affects the magnetic sedimentary rocks. This information can be used to measure the age of rocks Because of the history of the movement of the magnetic poles are relatively well known.

A typical peat and wood sample collected from the ancient forest on Bylot Island. (Picture from: http://www.livescience.com/)

The sample timber is preserved Primeval forests for millions of years but in the picture and the permanently frozen ground (permafrost).

"We studied sediment woods and find a common pollen on climate with an average annual temperature of around 0 degrees Celsius," said Guertin-Pasquier.

By comparison, the average temperature on Bylot Island is around minus 15 degrees Celsius. These samples were taken from a number of drill holes as deep as 10 meters in diameter of 1-2 meters. The rigors of the Arctic winter and so desolate location led the Researchers have little opportunity to reveal the mysteries of the ancient forest.

In summer too Guertin-Pasquier and his team continue to face extreme conditions such as high winds of 80 kilometers per hour. "There are so many mysteries surrounding this forest, how the tree is still alive through the dark Arctic winter is prolonged," he said. *** [LIVESCIENCE | SCIENCEDAILY | KORAN TEMPO 4007]

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