For the first time, scientists have discovered fossil evidence of an endangered, living tropical tree species. The unprecedented find was made in Brunei, a country on the large island of Borneo, and reveals a critical piece of the ancient history of Asia's rainforests, highlighting the urgent need for conservation in the region, according to researchers at Penn State who led the discovery.
The research team published their findings today (May 8) in the American Journal of Botany.
The fossils, at least two million years old, represent the first direct evidence of an endangered tropical tree species in the fossil record. The research study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Brunei among other international partners, identified fossilized leaves of Dryobalanops rappa, known locally as the Kapur Paya. It is a towering dipterocarp tree that still exists today but is endangered and found in the carbon-rich peatlands of Borneo, including Brunei.
"This discovery provides a rare window into the ancient history of Asia's wet tropical forests," said Tengxiang Wang, a doctoral student in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State and lead author on the paper. "We now have fossil proof that this magnificent tree species has been a dominant part of Borneo's forests for millions of years, emphasizing its ecological importance and the need to protect its remaining habitats."
