Three major breakthroughs in Antarctic earth sciences which occurred during 1982 are discussed (finding of land fossils, meteorite, and subsurface microorganisms). Highlights of conferences, research activities, and significant publications are also discussed. (JN)

Describes the diversity in the usage of the term "community" by ecologists and paleoecologists. (BR)

In the past year micropaleontology has added new understandings of early protistan history as well as contributed to the deciphering of the history of the world's oceans. Studies of formaminifer a have been especially important. (MA)

Much active research and innovative thinking is taking place in the field. Current efforts attempt to synthesize the information that has been generated this far. This article reviews the synthesis publications of the past year. (MA)

The problem of separation of church and state is discussed. Opposition is presented for giving equal space in science textbooks for various theories concerning religious aspects of evolution. (DF)

Reviews major and minor meetings, journal articles, and special publications in the field of trace-element geochemistry over the past year. Includes national and international sources. (MA)

Highlights major activities, conferences, conference and published papers, monographs, and research studies in paleobotany during 1982. Indicates that paleobotanists made more frequent use of the perspectives and ideas of disciplines as developmental biology and sedimentology in their research endeavors. (Author/JN)