History of plants on land

Pre-Cambrian Era

Algae were living in the oceans

Cambrian Period

Terrestrial plants cooled the climate, at that time Earth's temperature would have been approximately 48 degrees celsius due to high levels of carbon dioxide.

Terrestrial plants provided oxygen which lead to the Cambrian explosion.

Ordovician Period

Plants at this time period were non-vascular and reproduced by spores.

Silurian Period

The first vascular plants were found this period.

Devonian Period

The first recognizable soils were found in this Period. Plants developed sexual organs nad reproduced by bearing seeds. Ecosystems were dominated by plants.

Carboniferous Period

Gymnosperms floursished in this Period.

Permian Period

Cycads and ginkgos appeared, adapting to the dry climate of this Period.

Triassic Period

Gymnosperms dominated all over spore-producing plants.

Jurassic Period

Flowering plants appeared and conifers dominated the land due to the wetter climate.

Cretaceous Period

Angiosperms dominated in this period and modern-day trees appeared.

Tertiary Period

Savanna ecosystems flourished with the appearance of Grasses. Angiosperms dominated in tropical climates, and conifers dominated in colder climates.