Dead Species Can Indeed Tell Tales

January 15th, 2011, 08:57 GMT | By Tudor Vieru

Research scientists have over the years developed methods of using the fossil record for studies of the future. The analysis of extinct species is allowing them to gain more insight into how modern-day animals response to changes in their environments and ecosystems, and scientists are on it 24/7.

Paleobiologists and paleontologists basically use the same approach to teasing out the future response of ecosystems from available data as climate scientists do when determining the future of the climate from old records inscribed in ancient ices.

In a new, extensive review of the scientific literature covering the fossil record, scientists have determined that the remains of ancient creatures can be used to boost modern science in a variety of ways.

One possible application could be to assess the potential environmental impacts that events similar to ones that happened in the past could have on a modern ecosystem, habitat or on species.

Using data from Earth's distant past could also help scientists predict which species will be most vulnerable to changes in the environment. In turn, this may provide thorough guidelines for restoration efforts currently being conducted by conservationists.

The review effort was funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), and led by Gregory Dietl and Karl Flessa. A paper detailing the findings was published in the January issue of the scientific journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

Gregory Dietl is a conservation paleobiologist at the Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, and also at the Paleontological Research Institution, whereas Karl Flessa occupies an identical position at the University of Arizona.

“Conservation paleobiologists apply the data and tools of paleontology to today's problems in biodiversity conservation,” says Dietl.

“A conservation paleobiology perspective has the unique advantage of being able to identify phenomena beyond time scales of direct observation,” he explains.

“Historically, paleontologists have focused their efforts on understanding the deep-time geological record of ancient life on Earth, but these authors turn that focus 180 degrees,” H. Richard Lane says.

“In putting the dead to work, they identify the significant impact knowledge of fossil life can have on interpreting modern biodiversity and ecological trends,” explains the expert, who is the program director of the NSF Division of Earth Sciences.

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