http://www.sciencebuzz.org/sites/default/files
/images/carboniferous-forest.jpg
Course Aims
• Discovering the importance of using modern
science to have a knowledge of our past
• Explore the influence of plants in our world
today
Palaeontology
• The branch of science
concerned with fossil
animals and plants
http://ginkgo.dm.pagespersoorange.fr/GINKGO/GbHistory.htm
http://www.allposters.se/-sp/Fossil-InsectDragonfly-Early-Cretaceous-Brazilposters_i2634174_.htm
http://www.palaeontologicalsociety.co.za/southafrican-palaeontology-sites.html
http://db2.stb.smsn.com/i/DE/1A52208D978571221620C3F9464FDE.j
pg
http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Fossil_
Galleries/GreenRiverFossils.htm
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commo
ns/thumb/1/1d/Europasaurus_Praeparation.JP
G/220px-Europasaurus_Praeparation.JPG
What do YOU know about fossils and
evolution?
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXr2kF0zE
gI
Palaeoecology
• Uses data from fossils to reconstruct the
ecosystems of the past.
• Involves the study of fossil organisms and
their associated remains, including their life
cycle, living interactions, natural
environment, and manner of death and
burial to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment.
Animal Fossils
• Ever wonder how exactly fossils are treated?
• http://www.paleobiology.si.edu/dinosaurs/
• Take a trip through this site to make your own
fossil and look at a collection of fossils
Why are these of interest?
“Can 200 million year old fossils predict global
warming?”
• CO2 levels change in the atmosphere – what
effect will this have in the future? What is
global warming? What is climate change?
• Read through handout and answer questions
• http://www.ucd.ie/cabinets/exhibit1.html
(teacher handout)
Fossils
L. Bailey & E. Nertney 2013
L. Bailey & E. Nertney 2013
L. Bailey & E. Nertney 2013
L. Bailey & E. Nertney 2013
Plants
• Think of the most exciting thing you have ever
seen a plant do…
• Now look at this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YtPTzzRFU
8
The Evolution of Plants – some facts
• ~4600 Million Years Ago: Earth formed
• 3500 MYA: first photosynthetic fossils
identified from here
• 380 MYA: first seed bearing plants
• 200 MYA: first flowers appeared
• 65 MYA: grasses appeared
http://sci-cycles.blogspot.ie/
Different time periods
• What do you think of when you hear the word
Jurassic?
– Picture ALL living things (plants & animals)
– Climate
• There were many different time periods over
millions of years, each with different
characteristics
http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/w
his/geol_history.cfm
Group Work
• Each group will be given one time frame to
study
– Brief presentation of climate, plants, animals
– You will make a plant AND animal that would have
been suited to that time, taking into account what
you have studied and explaining to the group
reasons for your choices
PRIZE FOR BEST EFFORTS!
Modelling your living organism
• Things to consider
– Climate
– Other living things in the ecosystem e.g. plants
and animals to live alongside
– Adaptations
– Position on the food chain: Key terms
• Prey, predator, scavenger, carnivore, herbivore,
omnivore
Consider both living organisms in the
picture
http://physics.aps.org/story/v19/st7
Predator
• Things to consider
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Position of eyes on head
Keen eyesight
Hearing
Speed
Camouflage
Movements
General behaviour in the
environment
http://udleditions.cast.org/GLO
SSARY,all_about_coyotes,predat
or.html#P
http://www.jaffamood.com/predator-plants/
Prey
• Things to consider
–
–
–
–
–
Position of eyes
Speed
Body shape
Poisons
Behavioural adaptations
e.g. ways they act in
their environment
(individual V groups)
http://geelifee.blogspot.ie/2012/1
1/le-mice-invasion.html
http://www.deviantart.com/mor
elikethis/91886585
L. Bailey & E. Nertney 2013
http://animalcrossing.wikia.com/wiki/Deer
Discussion
Living things from millions of years ago:
what kind of lifestyle do you think each had
and why?
http://www.zmescience.com/research/perfec
tly-preserved-120-million-year-old-plantfound-343432/
http://www.jurassictimes.com/jurassic-period-plants
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news
-insects-amber-inclusions-insects-walkedwhen-dinosaurs-roamed-and
http://www.palaeocast.com/episod
http://wakpaper.com/id91728/oviraptor-egg-stealer-omnivore-dinosaurse-10-carboniferouswallpaper-image-1069x1080-pixel.html
http://www.dinosaurusi.com/en/tag/triassic/
arthropods/#.Ufjc-I2Hs3w