26412 - Continental Palaeontology
Compulsory
1. General information
The subject aims to apply the most important and general concepts, theories and models of Palaeontology to the continental fossils. The student is expected to know the main means and modes of fossilization in continental environments , be able to recognize the continental paleontological groups with special geological interest, understand the main techniques and methods in their paleoecological and biochronological characterization, and apply them in paleoenvironmental, paleoclimatic and paleobiogeographical reconstruction.
These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), so that the acquisition of the learning results of the subject provides training and competence to contribute to some extent to their achievement:
2. Learning results
2.1. Upon completion of the subject, the student will be able to:
-Understand the factors and processes that influence fossilization in terrestrial and inland aquatic environments.
-Identify, classify and describe the main continental paleontological groups, and relate them to the geological time scale
-Collect paleontological data from continental environments in the field and know the fossil extraction techniques appropriate to each group
-Process and store paleontological data from continental environments, using appropriate laboratory and office techniques.
-Know and apply the basic techniques that allow the ecological characterization of continental fossil taxa and apply these data in the reconstruction of communities and biomes and in the elaboration of paleoecological and evolutionary hypotheses.
-Conduct studies in disciplines such as palaeobotany, vertebrate and continental invertebrate palaeontology, biochronology and biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleobiogeography, continental paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and paleoclimatology by objectively analysing continental paleontological data and integrating them with other geological data
-To understand the factors that influenced the evolution of living beings in terrestrial and continental aquatic environments.
-To know the evolution of continental ecosystems throughout geologic history and which were the main bio events
2.2. To pass this subject the student must demonstrate the following results:
-Explain and relate in a clear way the fundamental concepts, models and theories of Taphonomy applied to continental environments
-Recognize, describe and analyse the fossils of the main groups of terrestrial and freshwater organisms, as well as the adaptations that have allowed them to live in different continental environments.
-Explain and clearly relate the fundamental concepts and inference methods of Paleoecology applied to continental environments.
-Analyse and synthesize information on topics related to the structure and functioning of successive continental ecosystems
2.3. Importance of learning results:
The ability to understand and assimilate the fundamental principles of Palaeontology is a key competence for any geologist. Palaeontology studies the living beings and the biosphere of the past through fossils. Fossils are entities integrated in the lithosphere that represent the transfer of information and/or matter from the biosphere to the lithosphere. Throughout geological time, the biosphere has interacted with the other surface layers of our planet, so that living beings have influenced external geological processes and contributed to the generation of various types of minerals and sedimentary rocks, and have in turn been affected by the global dynamics of the planet. Understanding and analysing this interaction is fundamental for a geologist. In continental environments, due to their characteristics, variety and great spatial and temporal discontinuity, there has been generated a fossil record that requires specific sampling and study techniques. Knowing how the living beings that colonized the continents were , when, where and how they lived, as well as what was and what factors influenced their evolution, is essential to understand the functioning and dynamics of the successive continental ecosystems and to apply this knowledge in paleoenvironmental, paleoclimatic and paleogeographic reconstructions. In addition, many of the organisms that were part of these ecosystems have a temporal and geographic distribution, as well as abundant fossil occurrence in the geological record, which makes them well suited for use in the biochronology and biostratigraphy of continental terrains. No less important is the fact that paleontological techniques have application in the environmental studies, a geologist with extensive knowledge in palaeontology will be able to coordinate with professionals in biology (botanists, zoologists, microbiologists, ecologists,...) and share professional experiences in this field.
3. Syllabus
The subject develops the following thematic blocks and units:
-Unit 1: Life in continental environments (terrestrial and aquatic) of the past. Taphonomic processes and types of preservation in continental fossils
-Unit 2: The conquest of the mainland by vegetables. Main paleo botanical groups and their evolution during the Phanerozoic.
-Unit 3: The conquest of the mainland by animals. Fossil record of continental invertebrates. Fossil record of continental vertebrates. Paleoecological characterization of terrestrial fossil vertebrates.
-Unit 4: Applications in palaeoclimatological and paleobiogeographical reconstructions. Paleo biodiversity and main bio events on the continents throughout geological history. Continental biochronology and biostratigraphy.
5. Assessment system
-The written test (T) on the basic knowledge of Continental Palaeontology will represent 50% of the final grade.
Passing this test is essential to pass the subject The grade (practical test and report) of the laboratory practices (P) will represent 40% of the final grade. The individual report of the field practices (C) will be elaborated during the practice and will be delivered at the end of it. The adequacy between the exercises proposed and the results presented, the capacity of analysis, and the clarity and order of the reasoned answers will be valued. The grade will represent 10% of the final grade. The practice will take place on the date set in the field calendar.
-Each of the above items will be graded out of 10 points. The final grade will be the result of applying the following weighting:
T x 0.5 + P x 0.4 + C x 0.1
-To pass the subject it is necessary to obtain a minimum grade of 5 points out of 10 in the evaluation of the written test (T). If the theory grade is lower than 5, it will be this unweighted grade that will appear in the final grade. The grade of the other sections will be maintained during the academic year.