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Geological records of biological activity, such as footprints, burrows, feeding marks, and feces.

The observation that sedimentary rock strata contain fossilized flora and fauna in a consistent vertical sequence that can be used to identify the relative ages of rock layers.

Measurements from natural recorders of climate variability, like tree rings, ice cores, sediment, and others, used to interpret past climates.

The branch of paleontology that deals with the processes of preservation and the decay of organisms.

The evolutionary process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a multitude of new forms, particularly when a change in the environment makes new resources available.

The division and classification of the Earth's climates into discrete zones based upon differences in temperature and precipitation.

The study of dust and particulate matter in the air, including pollen, spores, and microfossils, to reconstruct past environments.

The use of fossil distributions to correlate and date layers of rock.

Microscopic silica structures formed in the cells of many plants, which can fossilize and therefore provide information about past vegetative life.

Fossilized soil horizons that can give insights into the climate, vegetation, and surface conditions of ancient terrestrial environments.

The role and position a species has in its environment; how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces.

Events in Earth's history when a substantial, global and rapid decrease in the number of species occurred.

Variations in the ratios of isotopes within sedimentary sequences that can mark sudden changes in environmental conditions.

Marine protists with calcareous shells found in the fossil record, which are used as bio-indicators for past oceanic conditions.

A group of fossil species found together that reflect the living community of organisms at the time of deposition.

Periods of time with significantly higher than average extinction rates that often coincide with ecological crises.

Ratios of oxygen isotopes in mineral deposits used as a proxy for past climate conditions, such as temperature and ice volume.

The study of the relationships between ancient organisms and their environment.

A method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by using the properties of radiocarbon (Carbon-14).