W3: L13 = Palaeozoology [Palaeontology Introduction] (Prof. Shaw)

Question 1

Palaeoecology?

Answer 1

= study of the past interactions between organisms & their environments.

Question 2

Palaeoecology attributes? (3)

Answer 2

• Reconstructs ancient ecosystems.
• Integrates biology, geology & ecology to understand past life forms.
• Helps predict future environmental changes.

Question 3

Fossil record attributes? (2)

Answer 3

• Provides ancient biodiversity, evolutionary patterns & extinct species’ behaviours.
• Reconstructs ancient environments & understand ecological dynamics.

Question 4

Dating methods/techniques? (3)

Answer 4

• Radiometric dating.
• Stratigraphy.
• Biostratigraphy.

Question 5

Radiometric dating?

Answer 5

= decay of isotopes to determine age of rocks & fossils.

Question 6

Stratigraphy?

Answer 6

= sedimentary layers to understand sequence of geological events.

Question 7

Biostratigraphy?

Answer 7

= fossil distribution within rock layers to correlate & date strat.

Question 8

What do these dating methods help with?

Answer 8

They help build chronological frameworks.

Question 9

Palaeoclimate?

Answer 9

= reveal past climates by analysing geological & biological proxies like ice cores & tree rings.

Question 10

Palaeoclimate attributes? (3)

Answer 10

• Provide data on temperature, rainfall & atmospheric composition.
• How ecosystems & life forms responded to climate changes.
• Predict how current climate change might affect future ecosystems.

Question 11

Use of extinction events/What do they help us with? (2)

Answer 11

• Understand the causes & consequences of widespread biodiversity loss.
• Inform conservation efforts by highlighting patterns & triggers of extinction.

Question 12

What do ancient flora help us with? (3)

Answer 12

• Evolution of flora & their role in shaping ecosystems.
• Early plants pave way for development of complex environments.
• Understand the adaptibility & spread of vegetation over geological time.

Question 13

Ancient flora?

Answer 13

= fossilised plants.

Question 14

What do ancient fauna help us with? (2)

Answer 14

• Show diversity & evolution of ancient fauna.
• Examining skeletons & footprints reveals evolution, behaviour & habitat of extinct species.

Question 15

What do sediment analysis show us? (2)

Answer 15

• Past climatic conditions, vegetation & animal life.
• Chemical composition, grain size & isotopic content of sediments help to infer past environments.

Question 16

Human impact?

Answer 16

Have altered landscapes, climate & biodiversity through activities like farming, urbanisation & pollution.