Scientists have discovered a giant sinkhole deep in the heart of China’s karst landscape that is believed to be home to an ancient, living forest, a report says. Debriefing session.
These sinkholes, known as karst pits, appear to be hotbeds of genetic diversity and home to endangered species such as Manlietia aromatica.
a recent research published in the March issue of Forests appears to provide evidence that these sinkholes preserve long-lost DNA.
“China has the most widely distributed karst landforms in the world, with an area of 344 square kilometers,” the researchers said in the study’s preface. “The landscape was formed.” Sinkholes in forests, caves and karst. ”
“Currently, there are about 300 known tiankeng around the world, and more than half of them are in China, earning the title of “world karst tiankeng kingdom.”
Karst pits are very large sinkholes formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone. The report says these rocks are spread throughout regions such as China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
While these sinkholes are considered natural wonders, they are also considered ecological hotspots for endangered plant species.
UNESCO Courier in 2022 report Dashiwei Tianken is the largest of its kind, but it only became known to the outside world in 1998. It is part of the Dashiwei Tianken complex, a rare geological wonder with 29 sinkholes distributed over an area of 20 square kilometers. The scenery there was amazing. The underground forest, with no trace of human activity, was home to ancient trees up to 40 meters high and endangered wild plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.. ”
Peek into one of these giant sinkholes and you’ll find not just a stony landscape, but a lush forest teeming with life.
Tang Jianmin — Associate Researcher, Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region — Said: “The scenery there was astonishing: an underground forest with no trace of human activity, full of ancient trees up to 40 meters high and endangered wild plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. Ta.”
Debrief reported that the process begins when water acidified by carbon dioxide dissolves into the soil, slowing the wear of the underlying limestone. Over many years, these sinkholes form, eventually forming Tiankeng (meaning “hole in the sky” in Chinese).
Currently, there are 300 Tiankeng in the world, 200 of which are in China.
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
