651-4058-00L Basics of Palaeobotany (University of Zurich)
Semester | Autumn Semester 2016 |
Lecturers | University lecturers |
Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
Course | Does not take place this semester. |
Language of instruction | English |
Comment | No enrolment to this course at ETH Zurich. Book the corresponding module directly at UZH. UZH Module Code: BIO280 Mind the enrolment deadlines at UZH: Link |
Abstract | The course "Basics in Palaeobotany" gives an overview on the evolution and palaeobiology of plants and their relevance for the reconstruction of past environments. |
Objective | On successful completion of the module, the students should be able to explain how plants are preserved in the fossil record, to describe the morphology of plant mega fossils, and of spores and pollen. They can describe how plant fossils can be used for reconstructing palaeoenvironments. Students should be able to explain the interactions between evolution of plants, climate and physical environment and they will be able to integrate the dimension of geological time into their understanding of biological events. |
Content | -Preservation of plants in the fossil record. -First evidence for plants on Earth -The conquest of the continents by plants -Major adaptation and innovations leading to the present plant diversity -The evolution and morphology of the major plant groups -Plant associations through geological time and their palaeogeographic and stratigraphic relevance -Mass extinctions and the fossil plant record -Interaction between past vegetation and climate -The relevance of plant microfossils for reconstruction of palaeoclimate and palaeoecology |