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ECO3B: Managing Conservation > W1: L1 = Intro + Taphonomy (Prof. Bamford) > Flashcards

W1: L1 = Intro + Taphonomy (Prof. Bamford) Flashcards

1
Q

Pros of Palaeoecology? (3)

A

• Long time frame.
• Cause & effect.
• We can see extinctions & recovery (of organisms) over time.

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2
Q

Cons of Palaeoecology? (2)

A

• We can’t account for gaps (time periods where we know nothing about).

• So more detailed study.

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3
Q

What is the framework for Palaeontology?

A

Time.

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4
Q

List the broad time periods you should know on the International Stratigraphic Chart? (6)

A

• Silurian.
• Devonian.
• Carboniferous.
• Permian.
• Triassic.
• Cretaceous.

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5
Q

Eg of where we see/a place that is considered to illustrate local time scale?

A

Karoo biostratigraphy.

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6
Q

Breakdown Biostratigraphy? (2)

A

• Bio = living.
• Stratigraphy = rock layers.

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7
Q

Karoo Biostratigraphy attributes? (4)

A

• Local names used for geological formations.
• Vertebrate stratigraphy.
• Used for correlation of past ecosystems.
• Used for correlation with other continents.

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8
Q

What is Karoo Biostratigraphy used for? (2)

A

• For correlation of past ecosystems.
• For correlation with other continents.

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9
Q

Purpose of studying fossils? (3)

A

• Evolution/Phylogeny.

• Biostratigraphy & dating of sediments (via pollen).

• Palaeoclimatic reconstructions.

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10
Q

Criteria for studying fossils? (4)

A

• Sediments at the base are older than those above.

• Organisms have changed over time.

• Organisms tolerate the local conditions, and therefore, reflect the climate.

• Can use proxy data to infer events or changes.

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11
Q

Stratigraphy attributes? (5)

A

• Involve the examination of the layers of sediments.

• Principle of superposition.

• Principle of lateral continuity.

• Plate tectonics.

• Time.

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12
Q

List the Palaeo Ecosystems? (4)

A

• Terrestrialisation/Earlidst ecosystem.
• Coal flora.
• Carnian Pluvial Episode.
• Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution.

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13
Q

Processes that led to the Palaeo ecosystems/Terrestrial ecosystems we have? (6)

A

• Evolution & composition.
• Radiation.
• Stability.
• Tipping point(s).
• Extinction/extirpation/refugia.
• “New” flora.

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14
Q

Places where local geology & stratigraphy are found in South Africa? (3)

A

• Barbeton (oldest rocks in the world).
• Karoo Basin.
• Cradle of humankind (Hominid record).

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15
Q

Why is local geology & stratigraphy important?

A
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16
Q

Geological Time Periods you should be focusing on? (2)

A

• Paleozoic.
• Mesozoic.

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17
Q

Paleozoic era includes? (4)

A

• Silurian.
• Devonian.
• Carboniferous.
• Permian.

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18
Q

Mesozoic era includes? (3)

A

• Triassic.
• Jurassic.
• Cretaceous.

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19
Q

Geological Time Scale attributes? (4)

A

• Various formats.
• International standards.
• Learn the order of it.
• Spindle diagram shows time & taxa relative abundance.

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20
Q

Geological time scale order from longest to shortest? (5)

A

• Eons.
• Eras.
• Periods.
• Epochs.
• Ages.

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21
Q

Things to consider when studying fossils? (4)

A

• Time framework.
• Environment: deposition-stratigraphy.
• Tectonics - Continental drift.
• Climate.

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22
Q

Major event in the Cambrian? (4)

A

Presence of:

• Bacteria.
• Algae.
• Fungi.
• Invertebrates.

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23
Q

Major event in the Ordovician?

A

Bryophytes.

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24
Q

Major event in the Silurian?

A

Vascular plants (small).

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25
Q

Major event in the Devonian? (4)

A

Emergence of:

• Ferns.
• Lycophytes.
• Sphenophytes.
• Large insects.

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26
Q

Major event in the Carboniferous?

A

Coal forests (N. hemisphere).

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27
Q

Major event in the Permian? (4)

A

Emergence of:

• Glossopteris flora.
• COAL.
• Conifers.
• Tetrapods.

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28
Q

Major event in the Triassic?

A

Dicriodium flora.

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29
Q

Major event in the Jurassic?

A

Conifers.

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30
Q

Major event in the Cretaceous?

A

Angiosperms.

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31
Q

Major event in the Tertiary? (3)

A

Presence of:

• Grasslands.
• Hominids.
• Mammals.

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32
Q

Major event in the Quaternary?

A

Present flora & fauna.

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33
Q

Major events from the beginning (570Ma) to now (present time - 2.5Ma)? (11)

A

● Bacteria, algae, fungi, invertebrates.

● Bryophytes.

● Small vascular plants.

● Ferns, lycophytes, sphenophytes, large insects.

● Coal forests (N. hem).

● Glossopteris flora, COAL, conifers, tetrapods.

● Dicriodium flora.

● Conifers.

● Angiosperms.

● Grasslands, hominids, mammals.

● Present flora & fauna.

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34
Q

Thing to note regarding stratigraphy?

A

Geologists & Paleontologists place the oldest strata at the bottom, but it’s not always so for Archaeologists.

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35
Q

Ways of dealing with plant parts? (8)

A

• Binomial nomenclature (Linneas).

• International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.

• Superficial resemblances not valid.

• Form genera/morpho taxa.

• Reproductive parts are most important for classification.

• Use the whole plant concept.

• Not all features are always preserved (so we tend to deal with leaves only in Palaeobotany).

• Evolution of different organs occurs at different rates.

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36
Q

Plant disintegration & taxonomy attributes? (2)

A

• Living plants disintegrate.
• Separate parts of plants vary in many aspects.

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37
Q

How do the separate parts of a plant differ? (5)

A

• Are transported differently.

• Have different preservation potentials.

• Have different names (with own genera & species).

• Have different functional anatomy (as it’s preserved).

• Have different rates of evolution/speciation.

38
Q

Explain the Whole plant concept?

A

I think it’s where we reconstruct how the whole plant might have looked like using the fossils of the separate parts found to be associated with the plant.

39
Q

Terms related to climate? (5)

A

• Xerophytic.
• Mesophytic.
• Halophytic.
• Hydrophytic.
• High latitude/low latitude.

40
Q

Xerophytic?

A

= arid, dry.

41
Q

Mesophytic?

A

= warm, humid, subtropical.

42
Q

Halophytic?

A

= saline & depends on the presence of water.

43
Q

Hydrophytic?

A

= moisture dependent.

44
Q

Fossil assemblages attributes? (2)

A

• One needs modern analogues to interpret fossil assemblages.

• Younger assemblages give better reconstructions.

45
Q

What do Palaeobotanists look at/study? (3)

A

• Plant anatomy & taxonomy.
• Living plants.
• Fossil plants.

46
Q

What particular part do Palaeobotanists study in living plants?

A

Reproductive structure.

47
Q

Why do Palaeobotanists only study the reproductive structure in living plants? (2)

A

• The reproductive structure helps with classification of plants.

• Reproductive structure could be more preserved than other parts of the plant?

48
Q

What parts of fossil plants do Palaeobotanists study?

A

Any or all parts of the plant.

49
Q

List the parts of fossil plants that Palaeobotanists study? (6)

A

• Exterior morphology/growth form.
• Intenal anatomy.
• Leaves.
• Pollen.
• Phytoliths.
• Root anatomy.

50
Q

Internal anatomy includes…? (3)

A

• Wood.
• Stele.
• Reproductive structure.

51
Q

Leaves include? (3)

A

Palaeobotanists look for:

• Shape.
• Venation.
• Cuticle.

52
Q

Form genera/Morpho taxa?

A

=

53
Q

Things to note under Palaeobotanists look at details? (2)

A

• There’s no genetics for older flora.
• Plant groups over time.

54
Q

Why must we integrate different data sources?

A
55
Q

Taphonomy?

A

= the study of the natural processes & interactions from the death of a plant/animal, transport, burial, preservation, diagenesis, recovery & interpretation.

56
Q

Important thing to note about Taphonomy & Preservation?

A

It is an integral part of Palaeontology.

57
Q

Important thing to note about Taphonomy & Preservation?

A

It is an integral part of Palaeontology.

58
Q

List of what Taphonomy studies natural processes & interactions from? (7)

A

• Death of a plant/animal.
• Transport.
• Burial.
• Preservation.
• Diagenesis.
• Recovery.
• Interpretation.

59
Q

List of what Taphonomy studies natural processes & interactions from? (7)

A

• Death of a plant/animal.
• Transport.
• Burial.
• Preservation.
• Diagenesis.
• Recovery.
• Interpretation.

60
Q

Taphonomic cycle processes/stages? (8)

A

• Living assemblages.
• Death.
• Transport.
|
• Burial.
• Preservation.
• Diagenesis.
|
• Physical alteration.
• Interpretation.

61
Q

Taphonomic cycle: Animals attributes? (2)

A

• Hard bones are well preserved.
• Less abundant.

62
Q

Taphonomic cycle: Animals attributes? (2)

A

• Hard bones are well preserved.
• Less abundant.

63
Q

Taphonomic cycle: Plants attributes? (2)

A

• Soft.
• Abundant.

64
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

1) Living assemblages?

A
65
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

2) Death?

A
66
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

2) Death?

A
67
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

3) Transport?

A
68
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

4) Burial?

A
69
Q

Taphonomic cycle no. 4 attributes? (6)

A

• Depositional environment.
• Body of water.
• Low energy environment.
• Anaerobic conditions.
• Sediments in particulate or soluble form.
• Special environment.

70
Q

Taphonomic cycle no. 4 attributes? (6)

A

• Depositional environment.
• Body of water.
• Low energy environment.
• Anaerobic conditions.
• Sediments in particulate or soluble form.
• Special environment.

71
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

5) Preservation?

A
72
Q

Taphonomic cycle no. 5 attributes? (4)

A

• Anaerobic conditions.
• Cell lysis cannot be stopped.
• Function of material.
• Durability of tissues is considered.

73
Q

Durability of tissues from LEAST DURABLE TO MOST DURABLE? (8)

A

• Phloem.
• Internal parenchyma.
• Epidermal parenchyma.
• Sclerenchyma.
• Xylem.
• Cuticle.
• Spores/Pollen.
• Phytoliths.

74
Q

Least durable plant tissue?

A

Phloem.

75
Q

Most durable plant tissue?

A

Phytoliths.

76
Q

Phytoliths?

A

=

77
Q

Plant tissues considered for Preservation? (8)

A

• Phloem.
• Internal parenchyma.
• Epidermal parenchyma.
• Sclerenchyma.
• Xylem.
• Cuticle.
• Spores/Pollen.
• Phytoliths.

78
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

6) Diagenesis?

A
79
Q

Taphonomic cycle no. 6 attributes? (3)

A

• Post-burial modification (lithification).
• Occurs physically (compression).
• Occurs chemically (mineralization).

80
Q

Thing to note about Taphonomic cycle no. 6?

A

The ¹speed & ²severity of degradation, compression & mineralization determine whether the potential plant fossil will ¹be preserved & in what form they will be preserved.

81
Q

Diagenesis?

A

=

82
Q

Chemical alteration “process” with increasing Time & Pressure? (5)

A

• Leaf with intercellular spaces.
• Leaf is compressed.
• Leaf is then de-volatilised.
• Leaf is decarbonised.
• Leaves either an impression or compression.

83
Q

Impression of a leaf/material on a surface?

A

= when an imprint or pattern of the material is preserved.

84
Q

Compression of leaf/material seen on surface?

A

= when the cuticle of the plant/material is preserved.

85
Q

Impression VS Compression?

A

● Impression
= imprint or pattern of leaf/plant material is preserved.

● Compression
= cuticle of leaf/plant material is preserved.

86
Q

De-volatilised?

A

=

87
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

7) Physical alteration?

A
88
Q

Name large scale post-fossilization processes? (3)

A

• Folding.
• Faulting.
• Volcanism.

89
Q

Explain Taphonomic cycle:

8) Interpretation?

A
90
Q

Explain the Weathering & Sedimentation diagram/process?

A

ECO3B: Managing Conservation (34 decks)

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