Kashmir's cool climate was once a subtropical paradise, study reveals
This stark transformation, now buried in the past, has been uncovered through the analysis of fossilized leaves and tectonic processes that reshaped the region's environment, said the research led by experts from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow under the autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The experts uncovered the rich collection of fossilized leaves from the Karewa sediments of Kashmir, which were curated by the late Prof. Birbal Sahni and Dr. GS Puri. These specimens, remarkably well-preserved, exhibit a striking resemblance to subtropical plants no longer found in the valley's current temperate ecosystem.
Intrigued by this stark contrast between past and present vegetation, a team of palaeobotanists, including Dr Harshita Bhatia, Dr. Reyaz Ahmad Dar, and Dr Gaurav Srivastava, delved deeper into the region's climatic and tectonic evolution. Their research points to the tectonic uplift of the Pir Panjal Range, a sub-Himalayan mountain range, as the key factor behind this drastic transformation.
The gradual rise of the Pir Panjal Range is believed to have blocked the Indian summer monsoon, cutting off the water supply to the valley. Over millennia, this tectonic event shifted the region from a subtropical paradise to a Mediterranean-type climate, drying up its lush forests and altering the very fabric of its ecosystem.
The scientists employed advanced methodologies, such as CLAMP (Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program), to analyze the shape, size, and margins of the fossilized leaves. This enabled them to reconstruct temperature and rainfall patterns from millions of years ago and cross-check these with modern-day plant relatives. The results provided a vivid picture of a warm, rain-soaked Kashmir, which gradually became more arid as the mountain range rose, as per a statement from the DST.
Published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, the study is not just a glimpse into Kashmir's climatic past but also a crucial tool for understanding the potential impact of ongoing climate change.
As global temperatures continue to rise and alter rainfall patterns, this research offers valuable insights into how mountain ecosystems, like the Himalayas, might adapt—or struggle—in response to environmental shifts.
The findings also highlight the importance of preserving fragile mountain regions, which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. By studying how ancient tectonic shifts influenced climate, scientists can develop better models to predict future environmental changes and their impact on ecosystems, said the statement.
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