[Geology Help] Advice for HOW to answer essay questions?

Question

There is one question for college Geology course, and I need a help. I don't need an answer because I want to use my skill, but any advice for How to anser this question would be helpful.

"The giant tree called Metasequoia disappeared from North America during Miocene time. But it didn't disappear from all places in the world, because some living Metasequoias were found in China. These were planted on continents around the world and they are doing very well. What might this information tell you about the climate history of the world or the geographic history of this plant?"

I've read my texbook, but they don't talk about China nor Metasequoia. It's an essay question, I think in this question, my teacher wants us to use our skill AND imagination. Whic is a great question but I don't know how to start thinking for this question. Any advice?

Answer 1

To me, it indicates that the climate of China, and the current climates in the areas where the Metasequouia have been moved to are similar enough to the climate when the tree grew in the Miocene age to be within the current climate requirements of the tree.  It doesn't necessarily say that the climate is the same as during the Miocene, the tree may have adapted along with the gradual climate change.

This may give you a couple of thinking points to start with.  You can also search for Miocene climate to find what is known about it as compared with today's climate.

Answer 2

The story of the Metasequoias shows that localised climate change can lead to the extinction of species in certain areas.

The distribution is related to climate not location, but as trees reproduce from seeds there is a likelihood that the two were geographically closer than at present.

There is probably a link with plate tectonics: China and America were once attached I think.

Answer 3

-The professor is trying to make you apply some of the skills and concepts you gained during the course in this question.  It could have been any tree or any country. The idea is that there is one tree that was successful before the Miocene times, then the tree became a lot less successful.. then it became very successful again. I'm sure you see where this is going...   -an animal may have had something to do, or else maybe a cycle of something happening on earth. I don't want to give you too much...  good that you are challenging yourself! Shows a sign of real intelligence!

I would focus on the Miocene end and think how it compares to times before and after it, and present times (cycles or animals, not sure)

Answer 4

the conditions necessary for metasequoia to grow were present in the past in the world, stayed there in china, and came again

Answer 5

This Metasequoia saga should make you realize that the climate of the earth has been going through cycles of warming and cooling long before human beings ever showed up, let alone had the industrial revolution and began polluting the air. Natural climate change occured and the Metasequoia only survived in regions that were favorable for its growth.