The Sedimentological Significance of Trace Fossils

In sedimentologie and stratigraphie studies we should consider most trace fossils for what they are: sedimentary structures. Used in this context, trace fossils can furnish valuable information concerning (1) general depositional processes, (2) episodes of local deposition and erosion, and (3) characteristics of currents, substrate consistency, and in some instances, causes of sediment sorting. This information is important in and for itself, and it should also be utilized more fully by paleoecologists and others concerned with the reconstruction of ancient depositional environments.