Introduction to Plant Fossils

by Christopher J. Cleal, Barry A. Thomas

This book provides an excellent practical introduction to the study of plant fossils, and is written for those who have had little previous experience of this type of palaeontology. The text summarizes the groups of plants occurring as fossils and describes how best to investigate them. It explains modern research techniques that reveal details of anatomical and reproductive characteristics, and the features for identifying commonly found plant fossils. The approaches for interpreting these fossils are assessed, and the book highlights how such methods are employed by palaeobotanists to increase our knowledge of plant evolution, palaeoecology, palaeogeography and stratigraphy. The book discusses how the science of palaeobotany has developed over the last 300 years, with examples and illustrations from a global range of plant groups. It is valuable for students on introductory or intermediate courses in palaeobotany, palaeontology and plant evolution, and for amateurs looking for help in studying plant fossils.

248 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2009

Reviews

[Mark Jeffs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great plant fossil textbook. This book is a great summary of all that is known about plants through the geological record. Chapters cover history, study methods, different plant groups and evolutionary trends. It is very comprehensive and probably goes beyond an introduction to be a full review. The book is very heavy going but I persisted and its a book that I will revisit.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Supposedly for the “non-specialist” but loaded with undefined terminology. This book needs a glossary. It has a surprising number of typographical errors given that it is a second edition. Whole sentences are repeated in some cases. The fossils and the drawings are interesting. Less on the history of paleobotany (chapter 2) and more on modern methods (chapter 3) would be helpful.