Evolution and Applied Palaeontology

Evolution and Palaeoenvironments

Understand that the concept of evolution is fundamental in classifying and understanding the history of life preserved in the fossil record.
Recognise the theory of natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin, as a prime driver of evolution.
Note the difference between microevolution (changes within a species) and macroevolution (development of new species).
Learn how adaptive radiation, the evolution of an array of species from a common ancestor, has led to diverse forms of life in various environments.

Appreciate that palaeontology is the study of ancient life through fossils.
Understand that the fossil record is important in finding and dating layers of rocks and in helping to decipher ancient environments i.e. palaeoenvironments.
Learn about different types of fossils such as body fossils, trace fossils and microfossils each have their specific informations.
Understand that meticulous documentation and analysis of fossils, including their abundance, diversity, and morphology can provide a history of biological evolution and past environments.

Recognise the importance of fossils as biostratigraphic markers. Certain types of fossils can be used to correlate ages of rock layers in different parts of the world.
Identify fossils that are often associated with specific depositional environments, and can be used to infer past environmental conditions in a sedimentary basin. This is known as palaeoecology.
Understand that changes in fossil assemblages through a rock sequence can hence provide valuable information on the evolution of basins throughout geological history.

Recognise how applied palaeontology is used in the search for natural resources. Fossils can reveal the presence of certain resources, like oil and gas, within a basin.
Note how vital understanding fossil distribution is, as it assists in identifying potential reservoir rocks and in geochemical exploration.
Comprehend that fossil data can help to identify age, environment of deposition and burial history of rock units. All of which are key for successful hydrocarbon exploration.
Learn how fossil data can be used to correlate sediments across the globe, helping to locate new resource areas.

Understand that the fossil record can provide insights into the Earth’s past climates and sea-level changes.
Learn how studying fossils can help gauge the impacts of climate change on different species and ecosystems, aiding in predicting future ecological shifts.
Note how the study of fossil planktonic foraminifera and their isotopic signatures can be used to map past changes in ocean temperature and circulation.