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651-1323-00L 1 Credits BSC , DS D-ERDW

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Palaeoecology - methods

Paläoökologie - Methoden

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Heinz Furrer

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:06:20

Abstract

The objective of palaeoecology is the study of fossils as former organisms, their life and feeding strategies, their relations among each other and to the environment. The methodical introduction concentrates on studies about organisms of marine shelves. Uniformitarianism, physicochemical factors, trace fossils and taphonomic processes as biostratinomy and fossil diagenesis are important aspects.

Objective

Einführung in die Arbeitsmethoden der Paläoökologie. Rekonstruktion früherer Lebensgemeinschaften nach dem Aktualismus-Prinzip. Vorstellung von Fallbeispielen aus der Literatur und der Fossiliensammlung.

Content

Der marine Schelf als Lebensraum. Physikalisch-chemische Faktoren und deren Einfluss auf Tier- und Pflanzenwelt. Taphonomische Prozesse: Biostratinomie und Fossildiagenese. Spurenfossilien als direkte Zeugen der Aktivität von Tieren und Pflanzen. Spuren-Assoziationen und Fazies. Lebensgemeinschaften und Fossil-Assoziationen. Trophische Klassifikation: Ernährungsweise, Substratnischen.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Beilagen werden abgegeben.

Literature

Etter, W. 1994: Palökologie. Eine methodische Einführung. – Birkhäuser, Basel, 294 pp.

General Information

Language: German
Levels: BSC , DS
Frequency: Every two years

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Paläoökologie - Methoden Kurs an der UNI Zürich Universität Zürich Zentrum KO2 E72; Beginnt genau um 14.00 Uhr!	Mon 14:00-15:00	1 h weekly

Offered In

Earth Sciences
- Advanced Studies (These courses normally have to be attended in the 5th or the 7th semester. The complementary courses are sumarized at the end.)
  - Major in Geology (Ca)
    - Major in Paleontology and Palaeoecology (Ca3)
      - Compulsory:
Earth Sciences Bachelor (Information on the Bachelor: )
- BSc 5. Semester
  - Major in Geology
    - Major in Geology: Electives (From the offered elective courses in spring and fall term 9 credits must be acquired. Primarily courses from the core courses of BSc Earth Sciences have to be selected. Other elective courses from the ETH and University of Zurich are possible, however they must be granted by the advisor of geology (Professor W. Winkler). Courses of the paleontology of the University of Zurich (further offer under ): The following courses from the offer of the UZH are available:)