Biodiversity dynamics occur across a wide range of time scales, from nearly-instantaneous processes to emergence and disappearance of higher-order taxa occurring over millions of years. Processes operating on up to decadal time scales can be directly observed, but our knowledge of longer-term processes and rare events such as extinctions is largely derived from the geological record. Despite the importance of such dynamics in understanding the response of biodiversity to anthropogenic change, explicitly linking observational and geological time scales remains challenging. The difficulty results from differences in sampling resolution and limitations in our ability to resolve rates at conservation-relevant time scales. The potential of the fossil record to attribute observed changes as well as to inform conservation planning is therefore often underutilised.

In this session we aim to identify and explore the key challenges in and solutions for bridging observational and geological time scales in biodiversity research. We welcome interdisciplinary empirical, conceptual, and modelling-based contributions from across taxonomic groups, environmental realms, and temporal scales and periods. Successful case studies showcasing how fossil data have been used to address conservation issues are particularly welcome.