Ancient ferns turned Triassic Europe into a wildfire inferno

Scientists believe ancient fern savannahs in Europe may have contributed to a wildfire-prone environment during the end-Triassic mass extinction. Fossil evidence indicates that these ferns had the ability to regrow rapidly after fires, thereby creating a continuous cycle of fuel for the wildfires. This regrowth pattern likely prolonged the devastating effects of the fires, exacerbating the mass extinction event. The discovery sheds new light on the role of vegetation in shaping the ancient European landscape.

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