Paleoecology and conservation paleobiology: Future directions

Abstract

The preceding chapters have demonstrated several ways that paleontological data has been used in ecological and conservation studies, and has indicated some fruitful directions that paleoecology could go in the future. In this chapter, I expand on some of these ideas, focusing particularly on the interaction between the taxonomic, temporal and spatial scales and proactive conservation strategies. I refer to both paleoecology sensu stricto, that is, the examination of ecological theory in deep time as well as the development of ecological theories from the paleontological record; and paleoecology sensu lato, that is, all ecological studies in deep time, conservation paleobiology and reconstructive paleoecology inclusive.