Palaeoenvironmental changes of central Iran during the late Neoproterozoic and the possible impact on the Ediacaran biota

The Ediacaran Period is a key interval in Earth history recording the early evolution of metazoans arising from less complex and microscopic life. Interestingly, this time in the Neoproterozoic was impacted by glaciations and global change in atmospheric and oceanic chemistry. Just how these changing conditions affected the biotic overturn, is of considerable interest globally, and in this thesis specifically focuses on Iran. The rock sequences of this age in Iran provide new insights regarding the habitats and environments in which this Ediacaran biota developed and thrived, and detailed sedimentological understanding of strata from this interval provides a detailed understanding of the triggers for the development of these fossil organisms developed and where they prospered, as well as the timing of their evolutionary advances. The preserved Ediacaran fossils discovered from scattered localities help to fill the knowledge gaps in the evolution of life during the late Neoproterozoic -early Cambrian, and consequently lead to a more profound understanding of the temporal coupling between biotic changes and paleoenvironmental conditions at the beginning of complex life. Understanding the process, the mechanisms of the environmental change and how they impacted on the biota in that period of time, may all provide some keys to following environmental changes happening today and predicting future environmental and life changes. In particular, this research sheds light on the Precambrian shadow in central Iran. These challenges, however, are also opportunities for future research to improve our knowledge about and correlation of the Ediacaran stratigraphy, biota, and their environment in Iran and in the global context.