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Carboniferous, the tree lycopods and calamites, and with what caused their extinction (fig. 0.1). Yet, it must be understood that plants are as fascinating as animals, and that they are just as important to the study of biology in general and to understanding evolutionary theory in particular.
1 sty 1978 · Summary In the Paleozoic Era trees appear as tree-like forms of Lycopodium, Sigillaria and Lepidodendron, of Equisetum with Calamites and as genuine ferns with Archeopteris of the Upper Devonian and Seedferns (Pteridosperms) of Carboniferous origin; also as Cordaites and as the first genuine Conifers.
The wonders and mysteries of trees are explored throughout the book and questions such as why leaves turn spectacular colours in the autumn, how water reaches the top of the tallest trees or why the study of genetics has caused so many name changes in trees are all brilliantly answered.
Understanding Evolution
Trees cannot move when conditions become difficult or when they are under attack, so they have evolved ways to protect themselves. The outer bark of a tree is a tough, weatherproof layer providing protection from the elements as well as from disease, insect invasion or damage from mammals.
Constructing a Timeline of Plant Evolution. Use this photo as a guide to creating an interactive timeline. Refer to Geologic Time Scale charts. A good resource is http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.php. Use the “Plant Timeline Cards” found at the end of this document.
Data from thousands of published studies are assembled into a searchable tree of life scaled to time. Timepanels showing events in geological time and astronomical history are provided for comparison with timelines and timetrees.
