Photo by Elle Hughes
Four major evolutionary periods of plants happened throughout the millions of years our planet has been through that paved the way for them to be the pioneers of colonizing land.
Over millions of years, plants have changed to become the ones that we see outdoors. Thomas F. McLoughlin, author of A GUIDE TO PENNSYLVANIAN (CARBONIFEROUS) AGE PLANT FOSSILS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, is an expert at paleobotany. He aims to share his knowledge about the ancient Carboniferous plants in Southwest Virginia via his book.
Today, we’ll discuss these major evolutionary ages that led plants to colonize the land and live away from the waters they once called home.
How Plants Started Their Evolutionary Journey
Phylogenetic trees are a tool used by scientists to reconstruct this period. These trees depict the evolution of plants across time by combining many forms of data, such as chemicals and fossils. The most trustworthy source of data for this timeline’s creation is fossils. They demonstrate the emergence and evolution of many plant characteristics.
The fossil record has taught us a great deal about the evolution of plants. The intricate nature of plant communities and the accelerating rate of evolution as plants adapted to surviving on land are two of the most important discoveries.
The chronology of plant evolution can be divided into four main phases. These are the following:
1. The origins of land-dwelling plants and the evolution of ancient streptophyte algae.
2. The evolution of the vascular systems within plants.
3. The development of pollen and seeds.
4. The appearance of flowering plants.
Fun fact: the difficulties plants had when acclimating to new habitats are reflected in each stage. We are able to better understand the amazing trip plants have traveled to reach their current state by comprehending this timeline.
Challenges That Occurred During the Evolutionary Periods of Plants
During the four major evolutionary periods of plants, they faced many hurdles they needed to overcome. Thomas F. McLoughlin’s book focuses on the Carboniferous period and the different types of plants that inhabited Southwest Virginia. His research and insights provide readers with an in-depth look at what the world looked like back then.
As you will see in this sort of plant timeline evolution article, plants struggled to transition from water to land. Despite the advantages of moving from water to land, the process was far from easy. Plants didn’t initially have to be concerned about predators because they underwent the shift before animals did. In addition, there was more sunlight and CO2 available for photosynthesis. Due to this, early terrestrial plants were able to proliferate.
However, the shift was not without its difficulties. Land plants do not have dangerous UV rays to filter away, but water does. While nutrients disperse more slowly in water, they also provide support and buoyancy. For land plants to thrive in this new habitat, they had to adapt. They needed to figure out how to shield themselves against the sun’s rays and prevent drying out.
These difficulties emphasize how crucial early terrestrial plant evolution was. Plants were able to procreate and grow in novel ways as they adjusted to life on land. However, these modifications took time to manifest.
By examining fossils, we can follow the development of plants over geological time. Through this process, we can observe how the first land plants changed over time. All of it was to adapt to a harsher habitat and finally develop into the wide variety of plants we see around us.
Four Major Evolutionary Periods of Plants
The transition to land, the formation of gymnosperm and angiosperm, and the formation of vascular tissue were the four main stages of plant evolution. All of these occurred in the Ordovician, late Ordovician, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Cretaceous periods, in that order.
Plants have evolved in the following order:
1. the ancestral streptophyte algae’s migration ashore.
2. Vascular systems evolved in the earliest terrestrial plants.
3. Seed plants developed.
4. Plants with flowers have evolved.
The Importance of Knowing the Evolution of Ancient Plants
Believe it or not, knowing the major developmental periods of the plants surrounding the Earth is essential. They provide us with a unique look into the past and how our world’s ecosystems have now come into being. It’s truly an interesting subject matter that people shouldn’t just ignore.
If you’re curious about more ancient plants from millions of years ago, grab a copy of Thomas F. McLoughlin’s book today by clicking here. We hope you had fun reading this article, and feel free to check out other blog posts we have here as well!
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