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Glite Dictionary
paleoecology

paleoecology

1 9.9
The study of ancient plants, animals, and the places they lived
  • noun
  • /ˌpeɪli.oʊˈiːkələdʒi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : paleoecología
  • Introductory biology, physical geology, historical geology, paleontology, ecology, evolution, paleoecology, marine biology, among others.

Examples

  • Key speakers this year were Ellen Prager, a marine scientist and author, and Edward J. Petuch, an expert on paleoecology.

    Academic text (2009)

  • These local inclinations reflected an increased national interest in prehistoric human adaptation and paleoecology.

    Academic text (1996)

  • I will explore studies of paleoecology, land-use history, witness tree distribution from early land surveys, forest and physical geography, dendroecology, fire effects, and ecophysiology to investigate major ecological and environmental changes.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The team of scientists conducted a study on paleoecology to understand the ancient climate and its impact on species.

  • Through paleoecology, researchers discovered how past organisms adapted to their environments over millions of years.

  • The university offers a course in paleoecology that explores the interactions between ancient life forms and their habitats.

Surface Forms

paleoecology singular
paleoecologies plural

Morphology

paleoecology = ecology (semi-transparent) = paleo + ecology

The meaning is compositionally 'ancient' + 'ecology', but 'paleo-' is a technical combining form that may be unfamiliar to intermediate learners.

Etymology

The word paleoecology joins the prefix paleo- meaning 'old' and ecology meaning 'the study of living things and their home'. So, paleoecology is the study of old living things and the places where they lived.