Photo: SuppliedResearch using fossils from Otago’s controversial Foulden Maar site shows future environmental conditions may be more favourable to plant growth and forest expansion, resulting in a global greening effect. It provided the first evidence that Foulden Maar trees, growing in an environment with elevated carbon dioxide, levels functioned very differently from trees today, a statement from the University of Otago said today. He did note though the research continued to highlight the potential from the scientifically valuable Foulden Maar, which ‘‘came close to being used for pig food and palm oil fertilizer’’. The Dunedin City Council in July said it was continuing to work with the receivers of Foulden Maar. Foulden Maar is currently inaccessible for research due to the receivership proceedings, but the on-going publication of research demonstrates the site’s importance and value to science, she said.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 19, 2020 22:41 UTC