Out of Thin Air: Dinosaurs, Birds, and Earth's Ancient Atmosphere

Science News,  Nov 11, 2006  

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OUT OF THIN AIR: Dinosaurs, Birds, and Earth's Ancient Atmosphere PETER D. WARD

Dinosaurs were the dominant life form on Earth for more than 150 million years. In this book, Ward, a professor of biology and Earth and space studies, proposes an unusual thesis to account for this incredible longevity. At the core of Ward's theory is oxygen, in its unique role in shaping life on Earth. As Ward explains, the atmosphere of ancient Earth was constantly changing, with oxygen concentrations fluctuating in sync with the appearance and disappearance of certain animals. The author traces the critical geological periods during which life emerged, examining each period's fossil record for clues to the evolution of certain body plans, He explains how dinosaur metabolism, form, and reproduction were uniquely suited for this period in Earth's history, Ward asserts that modern bird flight is a vestige of the dinosaurs' respiratory system becoming adapted to low-oxygen air. Finally, the author ponders what role Earth's ever-changing atmosphere could have on life in the future. Joseph Henry Press, 2006, 282 p., b&w illus., hardcover, $27.95.

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