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The study of plants in the fossil record, in order to understand both the evolution of plant life and the ecology of ancient eras, is known as paleobotany. Paleobotany focuses on plant fossils, including algae, fungi, and related organisms, as well as mosses, ferns, and seed plants. Paleoecology is the investigation of individuals, populations, and communities of ancient organisms and their interactions with and dynamic responses to changing environments. This text considers what fossils are and how they can be preserved and studied. It seeks to help students determine the geologic age of a fossil, and explores the applications of palaeobotanical studies.