Studying the fossil history of flowering plants, and of flowers in particular, reveals aspects of the process of evolution, an instructive history of extinction, and circumstances involved in the origin and loss of biodiversity. It also allows us to observe the effects of significant ecological changes, such as climate change, on species diversity and distribution through time. These studies approach one of the greatest remaining evolutionary mysteries (flowering plant origin and success) and generate information critical to understanding timing in the evolution of species and characters that will allow a deeper understanding of the evolutionary process by revealing, in conjunction with molecular genetic studies, the relative rates of genetic changes through time and their implications.

This work has been prompted by the fact that the most important elements in the terrestrial biota, the flowering plants, have a poorly understood fossil record. The circumstances surrounding their evolutionary success may be relevant to their continuing health: that is, to the maintenance of their biodiversity. In addition to defining the terrestrial habitat for humans and other animals, these plants provide food, shelter, and building materials and are the sources of important drugs. Understanding why they succeeded and how some of their species went extinct seems very critical at this point in time.

Extensive analysis of critical fossils has illuminated the history of the flowering plants to an unparalleled extent. This information has been disseminated through major scientific journals such as Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and through more popular journals such as Natural History Magazine and the New York Times, where the work was featured as a Science Times cover story. It is also available via a website.

This project will make available to individuals, scientists, and primary and secondary school educators a body of information that will inform them about the evolutionary process.
The basic research has important implications for the origin and evolution of major agricultural crops, including grains and vegetables. The research has also illuminated the history of major horticultural varieties such as the blueberry family.

evolution and biodiversity