Research Group Palaeontology and Palaeo-environments

The Palaeontology and Palaeo-environments Research Group mainly focuses on reconstructing environmental conditions and the evolution of life from ancient Palaeozoic times to the current Anthropocene. This research program helps us understand when, how and at which pace environments and climates changed in the past, and how this happened in tandem with the evolution of life on Earth.

The core specialization of the research group is in palynology (the study of microfossils with an organic wall). These range from the remains of ancient tiny marine planktonic organisms to the spores and pollen of modern trees. The researchers study the spatial and temporal distribution of these fossils, along with their geochemical composition. They also study other and larger fossils, and use stratigraphical methods, sedimentology, geological field observations, and complex numerical climate models. Combined, these data inform them of how ancient icecaps grew and disappeared again, how oceans and marine life evolved, how the biosphere, oceans and atmosphere interacted, how and when humans settled in our region, what processes govern the evolution of life, etc. Based on their research on how life on Earth responded to major environmental changes in the past, this research group can help predicting how it may respond in the future.