The course is divided into two parts and deals with the reconstruction of fossil environments, marine as well as terrestrial, through time. In the first part the marine invertebrates are used and in the second part terrestrial mammals. The aim is to acquire basic knowledge about the relation between palaeo-ecology and evolution at large spatial and temporal scale, by using palaeo-ecology, palaeo-zoology and statistical methods.
On the basis of the development of marine invertebrates, the global increase in diversity during the Phanerozoïcum will be discussed, as well as insight into factors involved, such as extinctions, radiations, climate and paleo-geography. On the basis of Pleistocene and Miocene mammal associations, faunal change and migrations are discussed in relation to changes in local communities on longer time scales.

General: A1, A2, A3, A6.
Field specific knowledge: D3.
Field specific skills: D4.