Important notices on characteristic features of trace fossils in carbonates etc. are given. In addition to the theme given in the title, also the stratigraphical significance of trace fossils in the corresponding period is emphasized here. Notions of palaeoenvironmental trends of trace fossils, or of ichnological records during mass extinctions, are important. It appreciates the importance of root systems for the recognition of the sedimentary environments in marginal marine and nonmarine settings. The fact that the authors of individual chapters are the authorities in given aspects of ichnology, is conclusive for the overall significance of the book.
Some chapters compile the already published information, others introduce new conceptions.
This may be the reason why the nomenclature of trace fossils, the stratigraphical significance and various other notes and mentions not closely related with the palaeobiology are also included. Although anybody will hardly read all the presented topics with the same interest, the book is certainly a great delight for a specialist in ichnology, and a source of valuable information for every palaeontologist. This book starts a series devoted to the protection of localities of fossil plants as records of the plant world of the past. The end task of the series is to prepare the Red Data Book on Palaeobotany and to implement a system of measures on the protection of threatened fossil plant localities. It was compiled on the basis of applications for the protection of fossil plant localities.