1. a scientist who studies the ecology and environmental conditions of ancient organisms and past ecosystems
Usage: field-specific; also spelled palaeoecologist in British English

Examples

• The paleoecologist examined fossilized pollen to reconstruct the climate of the Pleistocene.
• Paleoecologists use sediment cores to understand how ancient forests responded to climate change.
• Dr. Chen, a paleoecologist, discovered evidence of a thriving coral reef ecosystem from 50 million years ago.
• Paleoecologists combine geology, biology, and chemistry to piece together the history of life on Earth.
• The research team of paleoecologists published findings about megafauna extinction patterns in the late Ice Age.