Final answer:
The forests in the Devonian to Carboniferous period influenced the global CO2 record by reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. Tectonically, the supercontinent Pangaea was forming during this time, impacting the Earth's climate and land distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The development of forests in the Devonian into the Carboniferous influenced the global CO2 record in several ways. First, the forests removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, reducing its concentration. Second, the forests contributed to the formation of coal deposits, which are rich in carbon. When the trees died and were buried, the carbon in their tissues was sequestered in the ground, further reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
Tectonically, during this time, the supercontinent Pangaea was forming. This massive landmass began to assemble in the late Carboniferous and continued to form throughout the Permian period. The movement and collision of tectonic plates during this process had significant effects on the Earth's climate, ocean circulation, and the distribution of land and sea.