Editing Paleontology (section)

===Paleobiogeography===
{{main|Paleobiogeography}}
[[File:Snider-Pellegrini Wegener fossil map.svg|thumb|right|Biogeographic distribution of fossils in [[Pangaea]]]]
Paleobiogeography is a very similar field to [[biogeography]] but focuses instead on fossils rather than modern organisms. Both fields work to explain the differences in flora and fauna between different locations, rather than the expectation that regions of similar climate and habitat would house the same organisms. Biogeography relies on [[exploration]], both as an exploratory tool to understand the world, but also the physical act of travelling to different places to observe differences. Paleobiogeography is named with the prefix "paleo" to differentiate in its use of the fossil record to study biogeography, which means that paleobiogeography suffers from the same issues as other paleontological fields regarding the limitations of the fossil record.<ref name="lieberman2000"/> It was established as a geoscience from the recognition and acceptance of the theory of [[continental drift]] that was hinted at by the discoveries of similar fossils on now-distance [[continent]]s during the 19th century.<ref name="ross1999"/> Paleobiogeography involves studying the history of life, but is relevant for the study of evolutionary, geological, and ecological changes as external factors such as biogeography are one of the two drivers of evolution. Ecological processes can be studied that cause speciation or regulate diversity, and these differences across location can be tied to geological processes like plate tectonics and climate change. Modern biogeography has the advantage of being able to study molecular markers and more thoroughly study small spatial and temporal regions creating a better picture of a specific environment. Paleobiogeography on the other hand is capable of studying very long timescales, able to track history beyond just the modern era. Flora and fauna may be affected by small-scale cycles as well as broader effects that cannot be seen on a limited timescale, so paleobiogeography can provide a more complete picture of patterns and processes. Through the fossil record, paleobiogeography can monitor the evolution and coevolution of life on Earth, associating patterns with geological events and over long timescales, working with the field of biogeography to understand biogeographical processes.<ref name="lieberman2000"/>