Talk:Petrified Forest of Lesvos
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article is within the scope of the WikiProject Greece; If you would like to join us, please visit the project page; if you have any questions, please consult the FAQ. | ||||||
| Stub | This article has been rated as Stub-Class on the quality scale (If you rated the article please give a short summary at comments to explain the ratings and/or to identify the strengths and weaknesses.) | ||||||
|
|||||||
 |
It is requested that a photograph or photographs be included in this article to improve its quality, if possible. Wikipedians in Greece may be able to help! |
copy edit: minor grammar, spelling changes (68.150.38.79 05:38, 6 August 2006 (UTC))
- That's what you should have typed in the edit summary field instead of leaving it blank. —Keenan Pepper 05:47, 6 August 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Removed material cut/pasted from copyrighted site
The great majority of this page was cut/pasted directly from here. I've preserved it below, there are good bits of info in it, but there is no attribution and no record of permission to use this text. RainbowCrane 01:32, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
Neogene [[volcanic rock]]s dominate the central and western part of the island, comprising of [[andesite]]s, [[dacite]]s, [[rhyolite]]s, ignibrite, [[pyroclastic]]s, [[tuff]]s and [[volcanic ash]]. The fossilized plants in Lesvos are silicified remnants of a [[sub-tropical]] forest that existed approximately 15 to 20 million years ago on the northwest part of the island. == Development of the Petrified Forest == The fossilized [[forest]] developed during late [[Oligocene]] to Lower-Middle [[Miocene]] due to intense [[volcanic activity]] in the area. Volcanic eruptions during this time produced [[lava]], [[pyroclastic]] materials and [[volcanic ash]], which covered the [[vegetation]] of the area. The rapid covering of tree trunks, branches, and leaves led to their isolation from atmospheric conditions. Along with volcanic activity, hot solutions of [[silicon dioxide]] penetrated and impregnated the volcanic materials that covered the tree trunks. Thus the major [[fossilization]] process started with a [[molecule]]-by-molecule replacement of organic plants by [[inorganic]] materials. In the case of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, the fossilization was near perfect due to favourable fossilization conditions. Therefore, the [[morphological]] characteristics of the tree trunks such as the annual [[rings]], barkers, as well as the internal structure of the wood, are all preserved in excellent condition. == Palaeoflora of the Petrified Forest == The study of the [[fossil]] [[tree]] [[Trunk (botany)|trunks]], [[leaves]] and [[seeds]] gives useful data about the Palaeoflora, the [[climate]] and the relative age of the [[Petrified Forest]]. In addition to the large number of fossilized leaves, the [[genus]] or [[species]] of the trees can also be determined from micro-analysis of the internal structure of the [[fossil wood]]. The erect tree trunks with their roots and [[branches]] are evidence that the fossilization took place ''in situ''. Despite the fact that the systematic study of the petrified forest has not yet been completed, the classification of the fossils permits certain conclusions to be drawn. All of the genera and species determined, belong to higher plant groups: [[Angiospermae]] and [[Gymnospermae]]. Complete development of the flora was achieved in the presence of Angiosperms, the most [[evolve]]d plants. The following taxa have been determined: * Cinnamomum polymorphum HEER sensu GRANGEON * Laurus sp. * Litsea primigenia (UNG.) TAKHT. * Lindera ovate KOLAK. * Oreodaphne heeri GAUD. * Quercus apocynophyllum ETT. * Quercus crutiata AL.BR. * Carpinus pliofaurei RATIANI forma helladae n. f. * Carpinus uniserata (KOLAKOVSKI) RATANI (?) * Alnus cycladum UNGER fo parvifolia n. f. * Populus balsamoides GOEPP. * Populus sp. * Tilia sp. * Diospyros brachysepala AL. BR. * Myrsinites sp. * Rhus sp. * Daphnogene polymorpha AL.BR. * Pinoxylon paradoxum SUSS & VELITZELOS (sp.nov.) * Pinoxylon pseudoparadoxum SUSS & VELITZELOS (sp.nov.) * Taxaceoxylon biseriatum SUSS & VELITZELOS (sp.nov.) * Taxodioxylon gypsaceum (GOPPERT) KRAUSEL From phytogeographical point of view, the above mentioned plants can be distinguished into two main groups. The first group contains subtropical plants such as [[Laurus]] (laurel), [[Cinnamomum]] (cinnamon), whose related species are found in the [[forest]]s of south-eastern [[Asia]]. The second group includes plants that prefer mild temperatures like [[Alnus]] (alder), [[Carpinus]] (hornbill), [[Populus]] (poplar), Querqus (oak), [[Pinus]] (pine), Taxodioxylon gypsaceum (sequoia), etc. Related vegetation flourishes today in the warm continental zones of South-eastern Asia and [[North America]]. A [[comparison]] of the stratigraphic expanse of the plant fossils with other European flora and with the Palaeoflora of [[Greece]] leads us to the conclusion that the Palaeoflora of [[Lesvos]] developed during Late [[Oligocene]] - Lower [[Miocene]], under subtropical or warm temperate seasonal climatic conditions. == Protection and Preservation == The [[Greek]] State recognised the exceptional palaeontological and [[geological]] value of this unique [[Natural Monument]]. To protect the [[Petrified Forest]] and ensure its proper management, five terrestrial and marine areas with fossil accumulations, as well as all the isolated fossils were declared as Protected Natural Monument with a special Presidential Degree (443 /1985). The need for further [[research]] and protection of the fossils led to the establishment of the Natural History Museum of Lesvos' Petrified Forest in 1994. Its scope is to undertake scientific research on the petrified forest as well as to preserve and to promote this natural monument. In addition, the [[museum]] organizes special environmental [[education]] programs in order to cultivate a widespread sense of respect to the [[Earth]]'s Heritage and the Natural monuments, among young students. The museum, therefore, is potentially a centre for palaeontological and other scientific research. Further research in the Petrified Forest will provide new data concerning the [[stratigraphy]], palaeoecology, [[palaeoclimatology]], and [[palaeogeography]] of the Southeast [[Mediterranean]] area, at the Cross-roads of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. == The significance of the Petrified Forest == The high [[proportion]] of upright petrified trees [[Trunk (botany)|trunks]], with well preserved [[root]]s in the fossilized [[soil]], allows us to infer that the petrified forest of [[Lesvos]] Isl. represents a complete [[autochthonous]] (fossilized in situ) [[ecosystem]]. The fossilized forest was developed from the end of the Late [[Oligocene]] to Lower - Middle [[Miocene]] (ca. 20 - 15 [[million]] years before present), in contrast to most well known fossilized forests on [[Earth]], which developed in earlier geological periods. According to recent scientific data, the composition of the fossil flora is characterised by a high proportion of [[angiosperms]] (flowering plants) and [[gymnosperms]] (conifers), and a low proportion of [[Pteridophytes]] (ferns). The silicified tree trunks and their [[organ (anatomy)|organs]] - especially the wood - are very well preserved. Furthermore, fossilized [[leaves]], [[cones]] and [[seeds]] provide the raw data for important scientific studies. Taxonomic study of the flora shows that they do not grow today in the [[Mediterranean]], but only in [[tropical]] to [[subtropical]] [[region]]s such as [[Asia]] and [[America]]. All of the above mentioned criteria certify that the Petrified Forest of Lesvos represents an important stage of the Earth's [[evolution]]ary processes. It is considered as a unique natural geological [[monument]] which offers rare scientific [[information]], like no other analogous monument from this [[time period]] and stage of plant development ever existed.
- Good catch! And to think I wasted all of my time editing such poorly written text...the same that appears on the website. Uggh. So much for trying to help...hehe.(Cherylktardif 23:25, 21 August 2006 (UTC))
