The paleobiological and paleoenvironmental importance of dinosaur footprints

The serious study of dinosaur tracks, or applied dinosaur ichnology, is a field with considerable potential for paloebiological and paleoenvironmental interpretation. Despite being a neglected area of study, paleontologists have realized the potential of tracks in enhancing paleobiological interpretations pertaining to taxonomy, locomotion, social behaviour, biostratigraphic zonation and evolution. Where the study has really lagged behind is in its application to paleoenvironmental analysis. Recent studies have shown that tracks provide important, sometimes spectacular, paleogeographic evidence of shoreline configuration, paleoslope, absolute water depth and sediment saturation. In effect they may tell one as much about the paleoenvironment as they do about the trackmaker. In addition they have to be considered seriously for their contribution to the bioor 'dinoturbation' process and for their taphonomic effects. The hitherto unrecognized geographic and stratigraphic abundance of dinosaur (and other) tracks in many regions indicates that they are a persistent rather than occasional feature of the geologic record. As such they warrant greater attention in many paleoenvironmental studies.