images

Devonian canopy - Artist view

by

Walter B. Myers/Novapix

Reference

t-glb91-03001

Date

2010-03-17

The fossil record reveals that great forests of Archaeopteris covered much of the Earth 380 million years ago. The large umbrella-like fronds appear to have been optimized for gathering sunlight at the canopy level while still permitting enough light to reach the shorter and younger trees. It was great forests like these that helped to draw much of the carbon dioxide out of the primeval air while releasing the oxygen we breathe today.