Final Answer:
The earliest forests containing woody trees appeared during the .c. Middle Paleozoic (Devonian).
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest forests containing woody trees: Refers to the historical period when the first forests with trees made of wood appeared on Earth.
Late Cenozoic (Holocene): Represents the most recent geological era, but it is not associated with the earliest appearance of woody trees.
Late Archean: This is an early geological eon, and it is not the timeframe associated with the appearance of the first woody trees.
Middle Paleozoic (Devonian): This period aligns with the emergence of the first forests with woody trees, making it the correct option.
Middle Mesozoic (Jurassic): While part of the Mesozoic era, it is not the specific timeframe linked to the earliest appearance of forests with woody trees.
The correct answer is c. Middle Paleozoic (Devonian). During the Middle Paleozoic era, specifically the Devonian period, Earth witnessed the establishment of the first forests containing trees with woody tissues. This pivotal moment in Earth's history marked a significant step in the evolution of plant life, as it laid the foundation for the diverse and complex ecosystems that followed. The development of woody trees during the Devonian period had a profound impact on the planet's ecology, influencing soil composition, atmospheric conditions, and the habitats available for various organisms.