The ancient frog fossil in amber indicates a forested environment, while the dinosaur footprint fossil suggests a muddy terrestrial setting near water. Ideal fossil preservation occurs in environments where rapid sedimentation can cover organic material, notably in river deltas, coastal areas, swamps, lagoons, or anoxic marine settings.
The two photos indicate types of fossils likely formed in different environmental settings. The photo showing the ancient frog in amber suggests an environment with ample tree resin, indicative of forested regions that could have been tropical or subtropical. Resin typically fossilizes insects and small organisms in a process called amber preservation, which is excellent at preserving fine details.
The right photo showing dinosaur footprints indicates a paleoenvironment that was likely terrestrial with soft ground that could record such impressions, such as a muddy surface near water bodies. This depositional environment is generally found in continental settings, possibly along shorelines or floodplains where sediment can quickly cover and preserve footprints.
Depositional environments that are best for preserving fossils would be those where sediment can rapidly cover organic material, such as in river deltas, coastal areas with fine sediment, swamps, and lagoons, as well as anoxic bottom waters in marine settings where decay is reduced.