Scientists Uncover Fossil Link to Modern Tropical Tree Species

### Rapid Summary
– Fossil leaves of the endangered rainforest tree *Dryobalanops rappa* have been discovered in Brunei, providing the first fossil evidence of a living tropical species.
– The fossils, dated 2 million years old, were found at Kampong lugu in Tutong district and match modern *Dryobalanops rappa* down to cellular details.
– local to Borneo’s peatlands,the kapur paya (*Dryobalanops rappa*) is significant for carbon storage and biodiversity but threatened by deforestation.
– Researchers highlighted its ecological importance and historical resilience spanning millions of years and emphasized conservation efforts as vital for preserving these keystone trees alongside their habitats.
– Fossil evidence sheds light on Asia’s wet tropical forests’ sparse historical record compared to other regions like the Amazon.- The findings add urgency to protecting ancient ecosystems established over millennia while offering insights into paleoconservation strategies.

[Read more](https://www.sci.news/paleontology/dryobalanops-rappa-fossils-13904.html)

### indian Opinion Analysis
The discovery of *Dryobalanops rappa* fossils in Brunei serves as a compelling reminder about the shared ecological heritage across South and Southeast Asia. Similar dipterocarp rainforests are found in northeastern India, particularly Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These forests are vital for carbon sequestration, regional climate stability, biodiversity preservation, and indigenous livelihoods.

For India-which grapples with issues like deforestation pressures-research linking ancient ecosystems directly with modern conservation highlights practical reminders about sustainable growth balancing environmental priorities. Fossil data could perhaps inform India’s own forest management efforts by reinforcing the long-term ecological importance of native species under threat due to similar habitat loss scenarios.

By drawing attention to a rich prehistoric heritage integral to today’s rainforests on both domestic fronts (India) or globally akin SEAsian candor longer effects+ send