Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems - Softcover

Selden, Paul; Nudds, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1840761601 ISBN 13: 9781840761603

Publisher: CRC Press, 2012

Synopsis

Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems describes all of the main Fossil Lagerstätten (sites of exceptional fossil preservation) from around the world in a chronological order. It covers the history of research, stratigraphy and taphonomy, main faunal and floral elements, and the palaeoecology of each site and gives a comparison with coeval sites around the world. It includes all of the well-known fossil sites, such as the Burgess Shale, the Solnhofen Limestone, Mazon Creek, Rancho La Brea etc., and includes an appendix giving information on how to visit the sites and where to see the fossils in museum displays.

Available now in its second edition, Lagerstätten included for the first time include Chengjiang, the Herefordshire Nodules and the Jehol Group. A welcome addition to the list of important localities of Cenozoic age is the White River Group, which preserves the finest examples of mammals around the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, including many now-extinct groups.

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with over 450 colour photographs and diagrams, and it is extensively referenced. Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems is essential reading to a wide range of students and professionals in palaeontology and related sciences, and to amateur enthusiasts.

About this title

About the Author

Paul Selden, John Nudds

From the Back Cover

The first edition of this book was widely praised for its coverage and approach in describing and illustrating 14 well known fossil sites from around the world. The authors have now updated the text and added 6 new chapters with many new colour illustrations.

Following a general introduction to fossil Lagersttten, each chapter deals with a single fossil site and follows the same format: its evolutionary position and significance; its background sedimentology, stratigraphy and palaoenvironment; a description of the biota and palaeoecology, and a comparison with other similar Lagersttten. There is an appendix of further reading, relevant museums and suggestions for visiting the sites.

This study of exceptionally well-preserved fossil sites from different periods in geological time provides a picture of the evolution of ecosystems down the ages. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout by over 450 colour photographs and diagrams, and is extensivel referenced.

Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems is of value to a wide range of students and professionals in palaeontology and related sciences, and to amateur enthusiasts.

Edition details

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1840761601
• ISBN 13: 9781840761603
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 288