Biology & Paleo Environment (BPE)

Biology & Paleo Environment (BPE) division researchers study how animals, plants, and microbes influence, respond to, and record the environment in which they live. Our oceanographers, geologists, geochemists, biologists, and environmental scientists pursue research in two connected efforts. First, biology – examining fossils to uncover clues about Earth’s past environment. Second – understanding how the modern environment—through its oceans, atmosphere and land—affects present-day biology.