University of Bristol EARTH SCIENCES

Martin Lockley (1986) summarised the various Palaeontological fields that could be enhanced through the study of fossil footprints:

"Palaeobiological including:
• paleoecological analysis of ichnoenoses to determine diversity and relative abundance of trackmakers.
• population dynamics
• behavioural analysis (locomotion, speed, herding, etc.)
• biostratigraphic zonation and correlation
• paleogeographic, species range etc.
• evolutionary trends
• paleopathology

  Palaeoenvironmental including:

• recognition of specific paleoenvironments
• recognition of shoreline trends and configurations
• estimate of relative water depths
• determination of paleoslope
• estimation of water content of sediments
• determination of current directions
• taphonomy of footprints
• taphonomy of associated fossils and modification of sediments through trampling or disturbance
• depositional/climatic cyclicity at sites with multiple track-bearing horizons." (Lockley, 1986).

Lockley, M.G. (1986) The Paleobiological and Paleoenvironmental Importance of Dinosaur Footprints. Palaios. 1, pp.37-47.

Identify the Trackmaker

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