A vast landmass now submerged beneath the North Sea once supported forests and wildlife during the last ice age, according to new research based on ancient DNA. The region, known as Doggerland, once connected Britain to mainland Europe but is now hidden underwater.
Scientists say the area hosted rich ecosystems much earlier than previously believed. Evidence shows that temperate forests grew there around 16,000 years ago. At that time, much of Britain and northwestern Europe remained a cold, treeless tundra under the influence of nearby ice sheets.
The findings challenge earlier views of the ice age landscape. Researchers now say Doggerland was not entirely barren but supported stable and productive environments.
Ancient DNA reveals a thriving ecosystem
Researchers reconstructed the lost landscape using ancient sedimentary DNA preserved in underwater soil. They analyzed 252 samples taken from 41 sediment cores drilled beneath the North Sea off the coast of England.
Many samples came from an ancient river system known as the Southern River. This river once stretched about 20 miles (30 kilometers) across southern Doggerland and likely supported a wide range of life.
To ensure accuracy, scientists focused on fine sediments such as silts and clays. These materials preserved DNA from nearby plants and animals. Coarser sediments were excluded because they often carried DNA from distant areas.
The results revealed forests dominated by oak, elm, and hazel trees. Researchers also identified animals, including wild boar, deer, bears, and aurochs, an extinct species of wild cattle.
Unexpected species point to a milder climate
The study uncovered surprising evidence of plant species not expected in the region. Researchers found DNA from Pterocarya, a walnut relative believed to have disappeared from the area about 400,000 years ago.
Traces of lime trees were also identified. These trees prefer warmer climates. Their presence suggests that southern Doggerland had milder conditions than the surrounding regions during the ice age.
Scientists say this environment could have acted as a refuge for species during colder periods. It may have allowed plants and animals to survive in small pockets while nearby areas remained harsh.
Clues to tree migration and human settlement
The findings may help explain a long-standing scientific puzzle known as Reid’s paradox. This refers to how trees spread across northern Europe faster than expected after the ice age.
Researchers suggest Doggerland may have served as a “microrefuge.” This would have allowed species to expand north more quickly once conditions improved, rather than migrating from distant southern regions.
The study also sheds light on early human life. Scientists say Stone Age communities would have found the area suitable for settlement after ice sheets began retreating around 21,000 years ago. River systems likely provided access to water, food, and other key resources.
New timeline for Doggerland’s disappearance
The research also revises when Doggerland disappeared beneath the sea. Scientists now estimate the region was fully submerged around 6,000 years ago.
This updated timeline differs from earlier estimates and highlights the uncertainty surrounding this lost landscape. Researchers say Doggerland remains an important area for future study.
The findings offer new insight into how ecosystems and human populations adapted to climate change. They also show how submerged landscapes can preserve critical evidence of the past, hidden beneath the sea for thousands of years.
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