On the edge of the Norwegian mountains, scientists unexpectedly discovered an enormous natural archive hidden deep in the rocks. Traces of rich Arctic life, dating back about 75,000 years, have been preserved in sedimentary layers. Levon Azizyan, director of the Center for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring, SNCO, wrote about this on his Facebook page.
This discovery is unique in that, for the first time, it allows specialists to directly understand what the region’s ecosystems looked like in ancient times. Hidden in the rocks and sand is an “archive” of animal remains that are currently practically unknown to Europeans. Among them are giant polar bears, grizzlies, numerous species of birds and fish, collared lemmings, and other small mammals.
Experts can now reconstruct a vivid picture of the life of that ancient era, with its rich flora and fauna, as well as the climate and weather conditions that created a unique natural ecosystem. However, the most alarming conclusion that scientists draw from this story is the confirmation of the significant vulnerability of most local species to abrupt climate change.
Many vertebrates have lost the ability to respond quickly to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, and as a result, they have become extinct due to rapidly deteriorating living conditions. The conclusions obtained are significant for making informed decisions in today’s climate-imbalanced conditions.
