Asteroid That Killed Dinosaurs Also Caused Extinction of Ancient Plant Species 66 Million Years Ago

According to the latest report, ancient plants suffered from extinction due to the powerful impacts of asteroids 66 million years ago. The researchers analyzed the fossils found in Colombia, Argentina, North Dakota and New Mexico. 

With advanced technology and analysis, researchers can better study the behavior and existence of ancient animals and plants. The study findings were published in Cambridge Prisms: Extinction.

Ancient Plant Species extinctions

(Photo : by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
A recent report showed that ancient plants also suffered from extinction when an asteroid impacted Earth 66 million years ago. Species loss also occurred as dinosaurs became extinct. It is essential to research and understand the recovery of ancient plants millions of years ago, especially during global warming and climate change threats.

The massive asteroid caused the major decline of many marine and land species, reaching 75% loss of life. One of the extinct species was dinosaurs.  The powerful asteroid and the volcanic eruptions made it challenging for dinosaurs to survive. At the end of the Cretaceous Period, the species experienced complete massive extinctions. 

In the new report, researchers noted that ancient plants also suffered from extinction 66 million years ago. It is essential to research and understand the recovery of ancient plants millions of years ago, especially during global warming and climate change threats.

In addition, the paleobotanical data can help researchers learn more about the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction. They also included in the fossils found in Argentina, Columbia, North Dakota, New Mexico and Colorado.

The impact of winter and freezing temperatures are also considered in species extinction during the Cretaceous period. The planetary freezing impacted the plants, especially in the tropics.

Meanwhile, the site areas of fossils  uffered from plant species loss, which each site showed declined of plant species more than 50%.

Flowering plants escaped the threat of extinction

In a different study, researchers discovered that flowering plants managed to survive 66 million years ago. The study findings were published in the Biology of Letters.

Researchers discovered that the Cretaceous-Palaeogene mass extinction event impacted the angiosperms species. The flowering plants adapted amidst the threat of extinction, noting that the lineages of the species survived the K-Pg event.

In addition, the angiosperm species and flowering plants showed to recover from the mass extinctions. Despite the challenging situation and the brink of extinction, the flowering plants used seed dispersal to increase their numbers in forests.

The researchers claimed that some of the ancient ancestors of magnolia and orchids lived during the dinosaur time.

Threat of climate change to plants

Human-caused climate change has been a significant threat to plants. Climate change can worsen extreme weather events, including drought, rainfall, hurricanes, wildfires and heatwaves.

Extreme rainfall and soaring temperatures can make it challenging for plants to survive, including animals in wildfires.

While plants and forests show resilience, the worsening impacts of climate change can harm their populations. The report highlighted the importance of conservation efforts to protect present-day plant species. 

Related Article: Global Impact of Extreme Weather Events: Climate Change Can Intensify Frequent Hurricanes, Drought, Wildfires

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