British fossil fern plants – carboniferous coal measures, somerset

Carboniferous Information

The Carboniferous Period (359–299 million years ago) was a time of vast forests, giant insects, and the first reptiles. Named for its extensive coal deposits, this period saw lush swamps filled with towering lycophyte trees, ferns, and horsetails, which would later become today’s coal reserves. The climate was warm and humid, with high oxygen levels fueling the growth of giant arthropods like the dragonfly-like Meganeura and the massive millipede Arthropleura. Amphibians thrived in swampy environments, while the first reptiles evolved, laying eggs on land. In the oceans, sharks and early bony fish dominated, and corals flourished in warm, shallow seas. The period ended with a cooling climate and glaciation, leading to the drying of swamps and the decline of many species.