Matching Pairs Evidence of past ecosystemsOnline version Complete this matching activity on evidence of past ecosystems. by Belinda Schirmer 1 Longest unbroken art tradition in the world (40000 years). Recorded evidence of climate and organisms including types and abundance in their art. 2 Principals of stratigraphy, volcanic ash deposits, banded iron formations and Palaeosoils ('fossilised soils'). 3 Determining levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, oxygen and other gases to estimate atmospheric temperature. 4 Absolute age of fossil, rock or mineral determined using predictable decay rates of isotopes. Carbon-14 for fossils. Fisson-tracking and luminescence. 5 Evidence of past life from mineralised remains, organic remains, impressions, trace fossils, microfossils, Stromatolites and molecular biomarkers. 6 Gas and particles (e.g., dust, pollen, volcanic ash and radioactive particles) get trapped in snow as it falls year after year, building up layers. Palaeontological Ice cores Radiometric dating Geological Rock Art Gas analysis