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Description of  Devonian Change: Case studies in Palaegeography and Palaeoecology - Special Publication no 314

Product Description: The Devonian was a critical period with respect to the diversification of early terrestrial ecosystems. The geotectonic setting was characterized by the switch from the post-Caledonian to the pre-Variscan situation. Plant life on land evolved from tiny tracheophytes to trees of considerable size in combination with a global increase in terrestrial biomass, and vertebrates started to conquer the land. Extensive shallow-marine areas and continental lowlands with a wide range of different habitats existed. These are preserved in a large number of basins all around the world. Climate change finally led from greenhouse to icehouse conditions towards the end of the Devonian. Rapid evolution of terrestrial ecosystems and climate change had a pronounced influence on sedimentation and biodiversity, not only in the terrestrial, but also in the marine realm. This volume contains case studies from Australia, China, Europe, South America and North America, and individual palaeoecosystems and their components have been investigated in different palaeogeographic settings that contribute to a much better understanding of the Devonian Period. This is a contribution to the IGCP 499 project on 'Devonian land-sea interaction: evolution of ecosystems and climate'. Also available: Fishes and the Break-up of Pangaea - ISBN 978-1-86239-248-9 West Gondwana: Pre-Cenozoic correlations across the South Atlantic region - ISBN 978-1-86239-247-2 Devonian Events and Correlations - ISBN 978-1-86239-222-9 The Geological Society of London Founded in 1807, the Geological Society of London is the oldest geological society in the world, and one of the largest publishers in the Earth sciences. The Society publishes a wide range of high-quality peer-reviewed titles for academics and professionals working in the geosciences, and enjoys an enviable international reputation for the quality of its work. The many areas in which we publish in include: -Petroleum geology -Tectonics, structural geology and geodynamics -Stratigraphy, sedimentology and paleontology -Volcanology, magmatic studies and geochemistry -Remote sensing -History of geology -Regional geology guides