Overview
Reconstructing changes in the environment which have occurred over recent geological time is fundamental in placing the modern environment into context and in shaping predictions for the future. Records of past environmental changes can be found in a range of natural archives, such as ice sheets, coral reefs, sedimentary sequences and fossils, all of which can make vital contributions to studies of contemporary global environmental issues, such as climate and sea-level change, acidification and water pollution. The specific focus of this book is on the use of microfossils in the reconstruction of palaeoenvironments.Each chapter of Quaternary Environmental Micropalaeontology deals with a different microfossil group, thus covering a wide range of environments including the marine realm, estuaries, freshwater rivers and lakes, and the terrestrial zones. The emphasis throughout is on explaining the environmental applications of the analysis of microfossils, although each contribution also provides annotated guides to further reading for those wishing to pursue topics such as taxonomy, classification and evolution. Additional useful features for students include chapter summaries, highlighted key words, international examples and case studies and an Appendix of statistical techniques. The book is also extensively illustrated with figures and photographs.
This book will be an invaluable guide for students of geography, geology, oceanography, environmental archaeology and environmental science.