Geology 307 Exam 3

Originating going extinct graph

Extinct going original

Extint = orgional (dead)

What method is commonly used to simulate biodiversity through time?

Monte Carlo Method (lots and lots of random trials)

Walther’s law of correlation of facies

The principle that facies that
occur in a comfortable vertical
successions of strata also
occur in laterally adjacent
environments.

Walther’s Law Transgressive

Facies show a transgressive pattern when the
The sediment supply is overpowered by a relative rise in
sea level, or when the land subsides tectonically.
Both cause the shoreline to move landward
Walther’s Law

Walter’s Law Regression

Facies show a regression pattern when the
shoreline moves seaward due to an excess of sediment
supply from land, when the land is tectonically
uplifted and the sea level retreats, or when there is
a relative lowering of sea level.
Walther’s Law

Ecology

Is the interrelationship between organisms and their environment

Paleoecology

It is ancient ecology.
The study of the interaction of ancient organisms with
their environment.

modern analogs

to help us interpret something
about how the fossils lived and related to
their environment.

Biosphere

The region of the earth that encompasses all living organisms: plants, animals, and bacteria

Ecosystem

the organisms and their environment - the
entire system of physical, chemical, and biological Factors influencing organisms

Community

The association of several species of organisms in a particular habitat (the living part of the ecosystem)

Habitat

The environment in which the organism lives

Niche

How the organism lives - its role or lifestyle

Paleocommunity

an ancient community

The 6 Trophic Levels

• Primary Producers (autotrophs)

• Consumer (heterotrophs)

• Carnivores

• Decompressor (transformers)

• Parasites

• Scavengers

Scavengers

• derive nutrition from dead organisms

• Vultures

Parasites

• Derive nutrition from other organisms without killing them

• Tapeworm and fleas (feed inside the animal)

Decomposer and Transformer

• bacteria and fungi, which break down organic matter, converting it into a form that can be utilized by other organisms (nutrients)

• Earth Worms, Maggots

Carnaviors

• heterotrophs that eat herbivores and
  other carnivores

• Lions

Consumers or heterotrophs

• cannot produce their
  own food and must eat

• Dinosaurs eat leaves

• Bioson eats wheat

paleoautecology

Study of the life habits of a single fossil
species and how that species relates to its environment

paleosynecology

study of paleocommunities (community
= groups of species that interact within a given habitat)Rather than individual species

Physical Factors

• Temperature - movement and activity are represented in cold water

• Oxygen-depleted basin

• Water Depth - related to many factors; for example, deeper water is
  usually colder, less turbulent, and has a finer substrate

Biological Factors

• Competition - when the activity of one organism precludes the presence of another

• Predation - naticid gastropod borings

• Larval Recruitment - what organisms get there first can
  determine community structure
  

What are the differences between diversity and abundance?

Diversity refers to the variety of species present, while abundance refers to the number of individuals within each species

What is Conservation Paleobiology?

Conservation biology seeks to integrate

evolutionary theory with environmental reality

to predict how an animal/population/species

will react to future/current changes, usually

human-caused, in its environment/density/

distribution. Most importantly, whether it will

survive and what to do to prevent extinction

How can studying past extinction events help in understanding and preventing
Future extinctions?

By analyzing the fossil record and other geological data, scientists can identify patterns of extinction, understand how different species responded to environmental changes, and assess the long-term impact of these events on biodiversity

How to differentiate between life and death assemblages

Death Assemblage

• An assemblage where not all species present in the community are represented as fossils (similar size, abrasion)
  • Not all the fossil species within the assemblage lived in the community

Life Assemblage

• An assemblage or group of fossil remains found where they
  lived (modern life assemblage)

Describe how fossil assemblages can provide insights into past ecosystems and
communities

By analyzing the types, abundances, and spatial relationships of fossils within an assemblage, scientists can reconstruct ancient environments, understand ecological interactions, and trace the evolution of species over time

Discuss the factors that influence the composition of fossil assemblages.

• Materials like calcium phosphate (in bones) or mineral shells are more resistant to decay than chitinous shells or soft tissues. 

• Fine-grained sediments like clay and silt can preserve fine details, while coarser sediments might destroy fossils

Define extremophiles and provide examples of extreme environments where they
thrive

• love of the extreme
  = an organism that thrives under "extreme" conditions

• Antarctica dry wall

• low oxygen

• high salt concentration

• radioactive decay

What is “extreme” relative to?

Humans

What are tardigrades?

• Water bears

• microscopic, eight-legged animals known for their incredible hardiness and ability to survive in extreme environments. They are considered one of the most durable life forms on Earth, capable of surviving harsh conditions like extreme temperatures, radiation, and even the vacuum of space

Explain the significance of studying extremophiles for understanding the limits of
Life on Earth and the potential for life on other planets.

They demonstrate that life can thrive in conditions previously considered inhospitable. By analyzing how these organisms survive and reproduce in extreme environments, scientists can refine our understanding of the boundaries of habitability and develop strategies for searching for life beyond Earth. 

Define the Sixth Mass Extinction and discuss its causes

Holocene Extinction or Anthropocene Extinction refers to the current ongoing, accelerated extinction of plant and animal species, primarily driven by human activities. Unlike previous mass extinctions caused by natural events, this one is primarily caused by human impact on the planet

Compare the Sixth Mass Extinction with previous mass extinction events in
Earth's history

Driven by human activities, differs significantly from previous mass extinctions caused by natural phenomena like asteroid impacts or volcanic activity