Teaching Earth Sciences - Earth Science Teachers' Association

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Introduction to paleobiology and the fossil record. M.J. Benton and D.A.T. Harper. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4051-8646-9. Paperback. £34.50. Companion website: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/paleobiology Each fossil group is covered in adequate detail – it is of interest to see that the graptolites occupy 13 pages, by comparison with the 26 (smaller) pages in Clarkson’s textbook. Indeed, the book could well be used beyond second year level. Illustrations, both line drawings and photographs, are mostly clear. The text is always readable, and for those chapters for which the reviewer has some experience, commendably accurate. It may be noted that individual chapters have been read by experts in that field. The general chapters form a major part of the book, and could almost form a separate textbook in their own right. Fossils in time and space includes a good account of biostratigraphy, and the use of fossils, leading to types of zonation. It also includes a description of sequence stratigraphy, leading to the recognition of cycles of astronomical change, and cyclostratigraphy. The chapter on taphonomy is an excellent account of the physical and chemical changes taking place after death, with the illustrations of the muscle fibres of a Jurassic horseshoe crab the highlight. I particularly liked the quotation from Frankenstein which prefaced this chapter! Palaeontology is very well served at the present, by textbooks ranging from those suitable for school use (such as Milsom and Rigby’s Fossils at a glance) to advanced textbooks (e.g. Clarkson’s Invertebrate palaeontology and evolution). However, not all cover the whole field of palaeontology, which Introduction to palaeobiology and the fossil record does. The book is intended for first- and second-year university geologists and biologists. In total, this book is an incredible tour-de-force, imparting both so much knowledge, and the tools with which to examine and interpret finds. Its breadth of coverage would aptly entitle it to be called an encyclopaedia of palaeontology, and as such, will provide almost all a student would require for a palaeontology course, and at its price it is a bargain. It can be enthusiastically recommended. Denis Bates Aberystwyth The field is covered in twenty chapters, the first seven being on general topics: Paleontology as a science (American spelling is used throughout); Fossils in time and space; Taphonomy and the quality of the fossil record; Paleoecology and paleoclimates; Macroevolution and the history of life; Fossil form and function; Mass extinctions and biodiversity loss. A chapter on the origin of life leads to eleven chapters on specific fossil groups, including fossil plants and trace fossils. A final chapter covers the diversification of life. In addition to the written book, there is also a companion resources website. A series of special topic boxes are scattered throughout the text: Hot topics/debates; Paleobiological tool; Exceptional and new discoveries; Quantitative methods; Cladogram/classification. For each chapter, there are review questions, a reading list, and a further list of references (publications are given up to 2008). 64 Teaching Earth Sciences Vol 35 No 1 2010 www.esta-uk.net
Excursion Guide to the Geology of East Sutherland and Caithness (Second Edition) Edited by Nigel Trewin and Andrew Hurst Publisher Dunedin in association with Aberdeen Geological Society. 2009 ISBN 13: 9781906716011. Price: £14.99 through fluvial, aeolian and playa lake deposits to the deep lake laminitis with the world famous fossil fish fauna. • The Jurassic succession adjacent to Helmsdale fault which is demonstrated with particular reference to the famous Helmsdale Boulder Beds deposited beside an active submarine fault scarp, and the Lower Jurassic succession which has an affinity with the Beatrice Oilfield. All the excursions are colour coded for easy reference, well planned and informative Each begins with the purpose for that excursion; clear information on access; other general information; tides; length of time needed to complete the excursion and even the best time of the year to go. Each itinerary is easy to follow with all localities located using grid references. The itineraries are illustrated with clear maps and diagrams and fabulous photographs. If you sat down and looked only at the photographs you will learn a great deal about sedimentary rocks and structures. If you like fossils this book has superb cartoon diagrams to show how the flora and fauna relate to different environments e.g. in relation to the Helmsdale Boulder Beds, plus other information on trace fossils in the Ousdale Mudstones, and fish in the Achannaras Beds. It would take you at least a week to follow all the excursions which vary from a 1-2 hours itinerary to whole day excursions. However, don’t worry if the weather is unsuitable, the letter H on the excursion map indicates a convenient hostelry! Why did I select this for my first book review? Immediately I was impressed by the quality of the photographs. Secondly it is an area of Scotland I am unfamiliar with and thought it was time to brush up on my knowledge. I found this book to be a well illustrated (and not just the photographs) and well informed excursion guide that provides a good overview to the geology of North East Scotland. The book begins with a comprehensive account of the geological history of the area (35 pages) followed by guides to six geological excursions Golspie; Borra; Kintradwell to Helmsdale; Ousdale; Caithness and Kildonna. Both editors are Professors at the Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen. Andrew Hurst specialises in Petroleum geology while Nigel Trewin specialises in early terrestrial environments, palaeoecology and sedimentology. Their knowledge and expertise is evident in the amount of detail contained within this excursion guide. Some knowledge of geology is expected from the reader, but I recommend this excursion guide to anyone who wishes to study the geology of North East Scotland and as a library book for students who are following the Evolution of Britain module at A2. Ray Humphreys The excursions are focussed on:– • The Devonian Old Red Sandstone of Caithness and covers the major features of the Caithness Flagstone from the marginal unconformities, www.esta-uk.net Vol 35 No 1 2010 Teaching Earth Sciences 65
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Teaching ISSN 0957-8005 Earth Scien
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Contents From the Editor Hazel Clar
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From the Chair Niki Whitburn Welcom
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Fred Broadhurst remembered 5 Februa
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Geology and Society - ESTA Annual C
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ESTA Conference, Southampton 2009 P
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Teaching Ideas from the ‘Bring an
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Page 21 and 22: Sub-surf Rocks! ESTA at Southampton
Page 23 and 24: Potential exists to use Google Eart
Page 25 and 26: Conclusion Since the development of
Page 27 and 28: Figure 1 A simple diagram showing t
Page 29 and 30: Figure 3 Predicted annual surface t
Page 31 and 32: emissions in ocean surface waters,
Page 33 and 34: Greenhouse to icehouse: Arctic clim
Page 35 and 36: the results are extremely striking.
Page 37 and 38: experienced by this region have bee
Page 39 and 40: Climate Change . . . Save the Plane
Page 41 and 42: 14-18) from King Edward VI Five Way
Page 43 and 44: Figure 2 The living roof planted wi
Page 45 and 46: Peneplains and plate tectonics Mark
Page 47 and 48: Figure 2 Planation surfaces (penepl
Page 49 and 50: Lidmar-Bergström, K. (1999) Uplift
Page 51 and 52: The formation of Gondwana (and Laur
Page 53 and 54: The fracturing of Gondwana was a pr
Page 55 and 56: Figure 5 Plunge refers to the dip o
Page 57 and 58: The foregoing is a summary of terms
Page 59 and 60: Reviews The Control of Nature John
Page 61 and 62: The starting point of the Deep Time
Page 63 and 64: With an introductory textbook of th
Page 65: Earth’s Climate provides a multid
Page 69 and 70: Diary March 2010 1st March until 11
Page 71: 9th June Lecture: The Chemistry of
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Teaching Earth Sciences - Earth Science Teachers' Association

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