paleobotany
Ancient plant science
Paleobotany is the branch of science that studies plant life from the geological past, examining fossils of plants preserved in rock, amber, or other materials.
Researchers in this field reconstruct ancient ecosystems, trace the evolution of plant species, and use plant fossils to understand past climates.
Paleobotany reveals that flowering plants diversified rapidly during the Cretaceous period.
The field overlaps with paleontology but focuses specifically on botanical specimens rather than animals.
Spore-spreading vascular plant
- ginkgoAncient Chinese deciduous tree
- cycadPalmlike ancient seed plant
- coniferCone-bearing tree
- angiospermPlant producing flowers, fruits
Floral reproductive grains
Study of rock layers
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
- dendrochronologyDating via growth rings
- radiocarbonDecaying carbon isotope
- carbon-14Radioactive isotope for dating
half-life · taxonomy · morphology · systematics · maceration · SEM
Study of prehistoric ecosystems
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- biogeographyScience of species distribution
- geologyStudy of Earth's composition
- evolutionary biologyStudy of species change
Becoming rock-like
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- impressionEffect on the mind
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
- moldForm-giving container
trace · amber · cuticle · microfossil · carbonization · excavation · specimen · preservation
Coal-depositing geological period
- DevonianGeologic period, 419-359 million years ago
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
Permian · Silurian · Ordovician · Cambrian · Mesozoic · Paleozoic · Cenozoic · Precambrian
Evolutionary relationships among organisms
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
radiation · ancestry · common ancestor · colonization · diversification · coevolution
fern
Spore-spreading vascular plant
pollen
Floral reproductive grains
phloem · cuticle · frond · seed · leaf · wood · bark · root · stem · venation
stratigraphy
Study of rock layers
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
- dendrochronologyDating via growth rings
- radiocarbonDecaying carbon isotope
carbon-14 · half-life · taxonomy · morphology · systematics · maceration · SEM
paleoecology
Study of prehistoric ecosystems
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- biogeographyScience of species distribution
- geologyStudy of Earth's composition
petrification
Becoming rock-like
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- impressionEffect on the mind
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
mold · trace · amber · cuticle · microfossil · carbonization · excavation · specimen · preservation · sediment
Carboniferous
Coal-depositing geological period
- DevonianGeologic period, 419-359 million years ago
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
Triassic · Permian · Silurian · Ordovician · Cambrian · Mesozoic · Paleozoic · Cenozoic · Precambrian · Miocene
phylogeny
Evolutionary relationships among organisms
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
extinction · radiation · ancestry · common ancestor · colonization · diversification · coevolution