The Meaning of Biotic Succession

Determination of the time sequence in the geologic record is a logical process that involves little “guesswork.” The geologic time scale is real, not a circular argument developed to show evolution. By applying Occam's Razor and assuming continuity, it is clear that biotic succession in apparent lineages demonstrates that species are capable of giving rise to others through modification with descent and have done so through geologic time. Although the fossil record is incomplete, biotic succession on a large scale provides a clear and unambiguous outline of the history of the change in life over time.Science seeks explanations for observations and facts that begin as hypotheses. When hypotheses successfully survive rigorous testing, they mature into accepted theories. Evolution is the theory accepted as the explanation for the facts of biotic succession. The operational processes invoked in the theory of evolution (such as mutation, natural selection, isolation, and genetic drift) have been successfully tested many times. The general pattern of biotic succession follows the path expected or predicted for the course of the evolutionary development of the biosphere.The biotic succession is the preserved result of the operation of the processes of organic evolution. Contributions from molecular biology and cladistics make it clear that the branching processes in evolution, operating over time, have produced all the diversity preserved in the fossil record. The current diversity of life is simply the product of its three and a half billion year history.

Long/Short Term Influences on Change

10.1017/s2475262200014155 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 309-318

Author(s):

Kaustuv Roy

Keyword(s):

Fossil Record ◽

The Other ◽

Short Term ◽

Geologic Time ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Higher Taxa ◽

Terrestrial Habitats ◽

History Of ◽

Using Data ◽

Change has been the rule in the history of life. Mammals today dominate the terrestrial habitats where dinosaurs once held sway. In modern oceans, ecologists can study many species of arthropods, but trilobites are long gone. Using data from the fossil record, David Raup estimated that only about one in a thousand species that ever lived on this planet is still alive today (Raup, 1991). On the other hand, the number of species and higher taxa has increased steadily over geologic time. Thus the history of life is essentially a history of turnover of species, lineages and higher taxa over time.

Evolution at All Scales in the Vertebrate Fossil Record

10.1017/s2475262200009898 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 165-178

Author(s):

John P. Hunter

Keyword(s):

Fossil Record ◽

Large Scale ◽

Large Time ◽

Evolutionary Change ◽

Theory Of Evolution ◽

Evolutionary Forces ◽

The Past ◽

Evolutionary Changes ◽

Abundant Evidence ◽

Transitional Forms

The fossil record of vertebrates provides abundant evidence for both the fact and the theory of evolution (Carroll, 1997; Prothero and Schoch, 1994). In support of the fact that evolution has indeed occurred, the vertebrate fossil record clearly documents evolutionary change along lineages, that is, along direct lines of ancestors and descendents. The fossil record also shows step-wise evolutionary changes resulting in the emergence of new kinds of vertebrates from pre-existing kinds—for example, the origin of mammals from the “mammal-like” reptiles. In support of the theory that natural selection, in particular, has been largely responsible for evolutionary change, the fossil record shows that the numerous “transitional” forms that lived in the past—far from being nonviable “monsters”—were functionally integrated organisms that were well adapted to their ecological roles. Finally, the vertebrate fossil record preserves certain large-scale phenomena, such as radiations and trends, which show that evolutionary forces can act over very large time scales.

Long / Short Term Influences on Change

10.1017/s2475262200009953 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 249-256

Author(s):

Kaustuv Roy

Keyword(s):

Fossil Record ◽

The Other ◽

Short Term ◽

Geologic Time ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Higher Taxa ◽

Terrestrial Habitats ◽

History Of ◽

Using Data ◽

Evolution at all Scales in the Vertebrate Fossil Record

10.1017/s247526220001409x ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 203-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John P. Hunter

Keyword(s):

Fossil Record ◽

Large Scale ◽

Large Time ◽

Evolutionary Change ◽

Theory Of Evolution ◽

Evolutionary Forces ◽

The Past ◽

Evolutionary Changes ◽

Abundant Evidence ◽

Transitional Forms

The fossil record of vertebrates provides abundant evidence for both the fact and the theory of evolution (Carroll, 1997; Prothero and Schoch, 1994). In support of the fact that evolution has indeed occurred, the vertebrate fossil record clearly documents evolutionary change along lineages, that is, along direct lines of ancestors and descendents. The fossil record also shows step-wise evolutionary changes resulting in the emergence of new kinds of vertebrates from pre-existing kinds, for example, the origin of mammals from the “mammal-like” reptiles. In support of the theory that natural selection, in particular, has been largely responsible for evolutionary change, the fossil record shows that the numerous “transitional” forms that lived in the past — far from being nonviable “monsters” — were functionally integrated organisms that were well adapted to their ecological roles. Finally, the vertebrate fossil record preserves certain large-scale phenomena, such as radiations and trends, which show that evolutionary forces can act over very large time scales.

Large–scale heterogeneity of the fossil record: implications for Phanerozoic biodiversity studies

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2000.0768 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 356 (1407) ◽

pp. 351-367 ◽

Cited By ~ 222

Author(s):

Andrew B. Smith

Keyword(s):

Fossil Record ◽

Large Scale ◽

Western Europe ◽

Sampling Bias ◽

Second Order ◽

Distribution Model ◽

Rock Record ◽

Species Area ◽

System Tracts ◽

Patterns of origination, extinction and standing diversity through time have been inferred from tallies of taxa preserved in the fossil record. This approach assumes that sampling of the fossil record is effectively uniform over time. Although recent evidence suggests that our sampling of the available rock record has indeed been very thorough and effective, there is also overwhelming evidence that the rock record available for sampling is itself distorted by major systematic biases. Data on rock outcrop area compiled for post–Palaeozoic sediments from Western Europe at stage level are presented. These show a strongly cyclical pattern corresponding to first– and second–order sequence stratigraphical depositional cycles. Standing diversity increases over time and, at the coarsest scale, is decoupled from surface outcrop area. This increasing trend can therefore be considered a real pattern. Changes in standing diversity and origination rates over time–scales measured in tens of millions of years, however, are strongly correlated with surface outcrop area. Extinction peaks conform to a random–walk model, but larger peaks occur at just two positions with respect to second–order stratigraphical sequences, towards the culmination of stacked transgressive system tracts and close to system bases, precisely the positions where taxonomic last occurrences are predicted to cluster under a random distribution model. Many of the taxonomic patterns that have been described from the fossil record conform to a species–area effect. Whether this arises primarily from sampling bias, or from changing surface area of marine shelf seas through time and its effect on biodiversity, remains problematic.

Evolution, genetics, and systematics

10.1093/oso/9780198739906.003.0001 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Francisco J. Ayala ◽

Camilo J. Cela-Conde

Keyword(s):

Population Genetics ◽

Sexual Selection ◽

Fossil Record ◽

Life Sciences ◽

Altruistic Behavior ◽

Synthetic Theory ◽

Theory Of Evolution ◽

Evolution By Natural Selection ◽

Current Paradigm ◽

Epigenetic Processes

This chapter starts with the general principles of the theory of evolution by natural selection advanced by Darwin and the Mendelian theory of heredity. Next comes consideration of the “new-Darwinian synthesis” or “synthetic theory,” which integrates both precedents into what has become the current paradigm of the life sciences. Molecular evolution and population genetics follow, including epigenetic processes. Next, special models of selection are considered, such as sexual selection and the models that account for altruistic behavior. After the mechanisms of speciation, the main concepts of systematics are explored, which facilitate understanding of different traits. The chapter finally explores the fundamental concepts of taxonomy and the methods from phenetics to cladistics, that makes it possible to evaluate the diversity of organisms and the methods for dating the fossil record.

Analysis of 220 Years of Floodplain Population Dynamics in the US at Different Spatial Scales

Water ◽

10.3390/w13020141 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 141

Author(s):

Firoza Akhter ◽

Maurizio Mazzoleni ◽

Luigia Brandimarte

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Large Scale ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

National Level ◽

State Level ◽

Economic Activities ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Management Planning ◽

The Us ◽

In this study, we explore the long-term trends of floodplain population dynamics at different spatial scales in the contiguous United States (U.S.). We exploit different types of datasets from 1790–2010—i.e., decadal spatial distribution for the population density in the US, global floodplains dataset, large-scale data of flood occurrence and damage, and structural and nonstructural flood protection measures for the US. At the national level, we found that the population initially settled down within the floodplains and then spread across its territory over time. At the state level, we observed that flood damages and national protection measures might have contributed to a learning effect, which in turn, shaped the floodplain population dynamics over time. Finally, at the county level, other socio-economic factors such as local flood insurances, economic activities, and socio-political context may predominantly influence the dynamics. Our study shows that different influencing factors affect floodplain population dynamics at different spatial scales. These facts are crucial for a reliable development and implementation of flood risk management planning.

Missing Links in the History of Life

10.1017/s2475262200009849 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 97-118

Author(s):

Charles R. Marshall

Keyword(s):

Evolutionary Theory ◽

Fossil Record ◽

Theory Of Evolution ◽

History Of ◽

Living Species

Ever since Darwin proposed his theory of evolution (or more correctly, theories; see Mayr, 1991) it has been assumed that intermediates now extinct once existed between living species. For some, the hunt for these so-called missing links in the fossil record became an obsession, a search for evidence thought needed to establish the veracity of evolutionary theory. Few modern paleontologists, however, search explicitly for ancestors in the fossil record because we now know that fossils can be used to chart the order of evolution regardless of whether they are directly ancestral either to extinct organisms or to those living today.

China’s Investments in Germany and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Intereconomics ◽

10.1007/s10272-021-0962-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 56 (2) ◽

pp. 113-119

Author(s):

Xinming Xia ◽

Wan-Hsin Liu

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Know How ◽

Advanced Technologies ◽

The Future ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Chinese State ◽

The Impact ◽

Gain Access ◽

AbstractThis paper analyses how China’s investments in Germany have developed over time and the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in this regard, based on four different datasets, including our own survey in mid-2020. Our analysis shows that Germany is currently one of the most attractive investment destinations for Chinese investors. Chinese state-owned enterprises have played an important role as investors in Germany — particularly in large-scale projects. The COVID-19 pandemic has had some negative but rather temporary effects on Chinese investments in Germany. Germany is expected to stay attractive to Chinese investors who seek to gain access to advanced technologies and know-how in the future.

Pioneers in International Administration: A Prosopography of the Directors of the League of Nations Secretariat

New Global Studies ◽

10.1515/ngs-2018-0039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 190-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Torsten Kahlert

Keyword(s):

International Organizations ◽

Large Scale ◽

Second World War ◽

League Of Nations ◽

World War ◽

Clear Trend ◽

Organizational Contexts ◽

Career Trajectories ◽

Second World ◽

AbstractThis article investigates interwar internationalism from the perspective of the highest personnel of the first large-scale international administration, the League of Nations Secretariat. It applies a prosopographical approach in order to map out the development of the composition of the group of the section directors of the Secretariat over time in terms of its social and cultural characteristics and career trajectories. The analysis of gender, age, nationality, as well as educational and professional backgrounds and careers after their service for the League’s Secretariat gives insight on how this group changed over time and what it tells us about interwar internationalism. I have three key findings to offer in this article: First, the Secretariat was far from being a static organization. On the contrary, the Secretariat’s directors developed in three generations each with distinct characteristics. Second, my analysis demonstrates a clear trend towards professionalization and growing maturity of the administration over time. Third, the careers of the directors show a clear pattern of continuity across the Second World War and beyond. Even though the careers continued in different organizational contexts, the majority of the directors remained closely connected to the world of internationalism of the League, the UN world and its surrounding organizations. On a methodological level, the article offers an example of how prosopographical analysis can be used to study international organizations.