Fossil specimens are important testimony to Earth's history, and by studying the remains or traces of these ancient creatures, scientists can reconstruct past ecosystems and biodiversity. Fossil specimens usually exist in the form of paleontological remains, footprints, nests, etc. in rocks. Not only do they provide crucial evidence about biological evolution, they also shed light on the history of environmental change on Earth.

The process of fossil formation usually requires certain conditions. When an organism dies, its remains are often covered in sediment that hardens over time, forming rocks. During this process, organic material may be replaced by minerals and eventually become fossils. Fossils can be divided into several types, including integral fossils, imprint fossils, and chemical fossils. Integral fossils refer to relatively complete biological remains, imprint fossils are the traces of biological activities left on the soil or sand, and chemical fossils are the chemical traces of biological metabolites.

By studying fossil specimens, paleontologists can learn a lot of important scientific information. For example, by analyzing the morphological characteristics of fossils, scientists can infer the living habits, habitats and adaptations of organisms. In addition, the distribution of fossils can also reveal the changes in the ancient geographical environment.

Fossil specimens also give us important clues about climate change and species extinction. The fossil record of the Ice Age shows the expansion and contraction of glaciers and their effects on the biomes of the time. Similarly, the extinction of certain species is closely related to factors such as climate change and niche competition. By analyzing these fossils, researchers can better understand how human activities are exacerbating the ecological crisis.