Research recently published in the International Journal of Plant Sciences by Rolf Mathewes, professor of paleoecology and palynology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and co-authors David Greenwood of Brandon University and Tammo Reichgelt of the University of Connecticut uncovered numerous clues that Metro-Vancouver’s climate was much warmer and more humid than it is now. The study’s origins go back several decades to the late 1960s when Mathewes was an undergraduate, and his supervisor at the time, Professor Robert C. Brooke, found and collected plant fossils from a deposit exposed during the construction of the newly created SFU.
“No other study was available on this particular localization,” said Brooke at the time.
The team found that the fossils, dating back to around 40 million years ago, testify unequivocally to the different species of flora that flourished there, including palm trees.
British-Columbia’s evolving climate
The findings made by the team of researchers led by Mathewes provide a better vision of what British Columbia’s climate looked like during the very distant Eocene period (The Eocene lasted from 55.8 to 33.9million years ago).
These dozens of plant fossils from the SFU site can substantially contribute to draw a relatively accurate panorama of this region during the late Eocene with Native Palm Trees thriving under 16,8c mid temperature, just before the cooling period that led to our present time.
Proof of their presence in the area during this pre-historic era have been identified with a large fragment of fossilized Palm Leaf. That said, Mathewes wants to clarify that what we now call Burnaby Mountain, at that stage “was probably covered with palm trees, but certainly not an elevation, as it was at a sea-level near the Pacific Ocean and composed of ponds, and rivers’ arms.”
The conifers that we are used to seeing, symbols of the whole region, haven’t been significantly identified in the current findings. As Mathewes points out, to imagine the B-C Eocene Epoch, “you should consider the region of North-Carolina, around Wilmington (East Coast USA) that shares a lot of similarities,” he says. The picture wouldn’t be complete as some of the data collected includes some flowers and seeds found mainly in Asia.
Their conclusions are substantial to document scientifically the slow evolution of the local flora in the changing climate conditions. The process was slow and ponderous, but changes were notable. In this context of “man-made Climate Change” that threatens our civilization, this research could give us some perspective and maybe help us to find a different approach to address it.
There is still much to be discovered, identified, and studied from the pollen samples and a second fossil deposit site. “I still have a few samples to study, especially spores and pollens to complete my work,” he says enthusiastically.
A tribute from a former student to his late mentor
If this study is a matter of science, it’s also, (and foremost for the author) the story of a study dedicated to his late mentor and supervisor Robert C. Brook.
It all started in the late 1960s, when Mathewes, then an undergrad, hoped to pursue his passion for biology and decided to collaborate with a titular professor in Biology and Paleoecology. He embarked on collecting plant fossils brought to the surface by the excavation for the construction of the SFU Campus.
Although these samples were kept on the campus for almost five decades, Matthewes never forgot them. He always thought he should harness the potential of these fossils. He ended up reviving the project initiated by Professor Brook.
“I’m glad I could publish something about these fossils before I retire,” he says.
For more information visit:
