The palaeontological record of the Anthropocene

Most species on planet Earth have specific ecological ranges. In the near surface of the oceans, planktonic foraminifera define water masses that are warm in the tropics, and cold in polar regions. Tropical rainforests have trees and animals that are distinct from those in warm temperate or cold temperate zones. The fauna and flora of Australia are distinct from those of the Americas. These natural patterns, defined by factors such as latitudinal changes in surface temperature and rainfall, or geographical isolation, have evolved over millions, sometimes tens of millions of years. Now this natural pattern is being overprinted by the actions of a single species, Homo sapiens, which has made the whole Earth its ecological range, and some parts of nearby space too. The human ancestral pattern of gradually increasing impact on the Earth can be traced in the stratigraphic record for nearly 3 million years, and in its later and more pervasive phases may serve to help define a biostratigraphical signal for the Anthropocene Epoch.