Articles tagged with Paleoecology
Researchers sequenced ancient DNA to understand lion and bear movement between continents. The study found that warm temperatures before the last Ice Age may have caused a change in plant abundance, affecting herbivores and predators.
A new study in Scientific Reports reveals the first palaeontological site with multiple, exceptionally complete dinosaur skeletons from Italy. The Villaggio del Pescatore site in north-eastern Italy has yielded seven individuals of Tethyshadros insularis, the biggest and most complete dinosaur ever found in Italy.
A new marine reptile fossil from 130-million-year-old rocks in Colombia has revealed a unique dentition allowing it to eat large prey. The discovery clarifies the evolutionary tree of ichthyosaurs and tests new ideas on their evolution.
Researchers reconstruct Land of Israel climate at end of last ice age using plant remains, revealing significant temperature and precipitation differences that impacted the transition from hunter-gatherer to settled agricultural societies. The study provides insights into the region's flora and its response to past climate change.
A new study analyzing microfossils in European glaciers reveals earlier-than-expected evidence of air pollution and the roots of modern invasive species problems. The analysis provides non-stop context for major historical events like droughts or famines, helping scientists better understand current climate change.
A new study suggests that human presence on the Falkland Islands dates back to around 3450 B.C.E., with evidence of fire activity and stone projectile points consistent with Indigenous South American technology. The research indicates that people likely visited the islands for short-term stays, leaving few cultural materials behind.
The study suggests that unsustainable wood harvesting by the Ancestral Puebloans occurred around 2000 years ago in Chaco Canyon, USA. This practice had significant ecosystem impacts, which are still being felt today.
Ancient human societies adapted to tropical ecosystem dynamics, revealing their adaptability and resourcefulness. By studying these past interactions with the environment, scientists can better understand how to conserve tropical environments.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that early human groups in Europe endured cold climatic conditions for over 7,000 years. The team used archaeological materials to generate climatic data, revealing a higher degree of climate flexibility than previously believed.
A recent study reconstructed environmental conditions in Europe during early human occupation, revealing a range of climates and vegetation types. The research suggests that early humans preferred sites with mild climates and wooded environments, but later phases saw absences from areas with severe conditions.
Research from UBC and HKU Earth scientists reveals that massive volcanism played a key role in triggering oceanic anoxia, with CO2-induced environmental warming creating 'dead zones' over short timescales. The findings provide important insights into the sensitivity of the Earth system to global biogeochemical cycles and marine biology.
Three new fossil mammal species, including Beornus honeyi, Miniconus jeanninae, and Conacodon hettingeri, have been discovered at an ancient riverbed site in southern Wyoming. The species lived after a mass extinction event and were ancestors of today's hoofed animals.
A new study suggests that small single-celled organisms may have formed larger multicellular life forms to better navigate icy waters. This shift in size allowed for increased propulsion and access to a wider range of food sources, giving early organisms an ecological advantage.
Researchers used peat core analysis to reconstruct the development of a calcareous spring fen on Saaremaa, Estonia. The study found that the high diversity of vegetation in spring fens is a result of long-term stable environments, providing insights into conservation efforts.
Researchers have found that ancient Ediacaran fossils, dating back to 570 million years ago, were part of complex ecological communities. These organisms, such as suspension feeders and filter feeders, competed for resources like modern animals.
The new journal will cover a range of topics in ecology and evolution, including agroecology, behavioral and evolutionary ecology, and phylogenetics. It will be an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to share their findings, with open access publishing and fast publication.
A new €2.49m research study, led by Queen's University Belfast, aims to uncover Malta's prehistoric past and develop strategies for conserving vulnerable heritage sites. The project will analyze ancient pollens, snails, insects, and other environmental materials to reconstruct the changing ecology of Malta during prehistory.
Archaeologists discovered burnt artefacts in the Molí del Salt site in Tarragona, Spain, dating back to the end of the Upper Palaeolithic Age. The recycling of stone tools was common for domestic activities and linked to expedited behaviour.
Researchers in paleoecology study fossilized remains and soil cores to reconstruct past ecosystems. The Amazon's pre-Columbian history reveals both human impact and resilience, while Arctic lake sediments indicate recent climate change.
Researchers reconstructed the species' prehistoric geographical range using techniques from archaeology, biochemistry, and ecology. Prehistoric northern fur seals were year-round residents in California, nursing their young for much longer than modern fur seals.
Researchers studied encrustation on fossilized shells to gain insights into ancient sea ecosystems. The analysis found that epibionts preferentially colonize brachiopod shells, providing clues about the evolution of these organisms.
Researchers are studying Mulinia congesta to determine change in organism shape and size due to environmental changes. The study focuses on a gradual environmental change in Southeastern Virginia over 500,000 years.