Windows into Prehistoric Ecosystems: exceptionally preserved plant fossils from the UK
An Autumn Science Lecture, by Dr Sandy Hetherington
We are pleased to announce this year’s Autumn Science Lecture Series which will run between October and December. Across five online lectures, guest speakers will discuss the fascinating subject of paleobotany, exploring plant evolution and prehistoric ecosystems.
In this online event we will be joined by Dr Sandy Hetherington, an evolutionary paleobotanist from Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Starting at 7pm, Sandy's lecture will discuss ‘Windows into Prehistoric Ecosystems: exceptionally preserved plant fossils from the UK’.
Lecture details:
The UK has a rich record of fossil plants, including a number of world-famous localities prized for their exceptional preservation. Spanning a number of different geological intervals, each site provides a unique window into an ecosystem that existed in the UK in the past. The remarkable level of preservation of these fossils provides the unique opportunity to study the genesis of new plant organs, to capture fleeting moments in plant development and to explore the rich interactions between plants, animals and fungi. In his lecture, Sandy will showcase how UK fossil sites from the Devonian, Carboniferous and Jurassic Periods continue to transform our understanding of the evolution of land plants and terrestrial ecosystems.
Other guests within the Lecture Series include:
▫️23rd Oct | Dr Paul Kenrick, principal researcher in paleobotany at the Natural History Museum.
▫️6th Nov | Dr James Clark, prize fellow and lecturer at the Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath.
▫️20th Nov | Professor Jennifer McElwain FRS, Professor of Botany at Trinity College Dublin and Director of Trinity College Botanic Garden.
▫️4th Dec | Dr Julia Gravendyck, lecturer in systematic botany at University of Bonn.
