Ancient Europe was a mosaic of open meadows and forests

Researchers from the University of Aarhus in Denmark analyzed ecological data to show that Europe was a mix of open forests, meadows, and grasslands for most of its natural history.

The study, which covers over 20 million years, challenges the idea that Europe was once covered entirely by dense, closed forests before humans arrived.

Scientists used a wide range of evidence to reconstruct this ancient landscape, including fossilized pollen, plant remains, evidence of ancient fires, and chemical signatures on the teeth and bones of herbivores. They also examined insect and rodent fossils along with ancient environmental DNA. The findings reveal that large herbivores played a vital role in shaping these ecosystems. Animals such as elephants, rhinoceroses, bison, and ancestors of modern cattle grazed on the land and broke branches.

These actions prevented trees from spreading unchecked, creating space for wildflowers, grasses, insects, and birds. This suggests that some species currently associated with farmland, such as wild poppies and lizards, may have deep roots in these ancient open landscapes. The researchers suggest these results have implications for modern climate change and nature restoration efforts. They warn that planting dense forests is not always the best way to support biodiversity.

Converting meadows and open ecosystems into closed forests could threaten species that evolved in more open environments.