Diversity and Distribution of Fossil Floras from Southern Victoria Land, Antrctica

本次调查的重点是收集和研究来自南极洲干谷地区的化石植物。迄今为止，尽管在该地区工作的地质学家已经注意到植物化石，但还没有系统地收集和详细描述这些植物群的尝试。该地区的植物群年龄从泥盆纪到侏罗纪不等，并以压缩/印象化石的形式保存下来，其中有一些石化木材的例子。调查将包括在两个野外季节从38个地点进行系统和详细的收集。由于南极洲的植物群是世界上最不为人所知的，对这些化石进行系统的研究提供了一个独特的机会，可以在很长的地质时间跨度内比较植物的多样性和组成。在它们所处的地质环境中对这些植物群进行评估，将提供一个重要的数据来源，可用于广泛的研究，包括生物地层学、古生态学和古气候学。

This investigation focuses on the collection and study fossil plants from the Dry Valley region of Antarctica. To date there has been no systematic attempt to collect and describe these floras in detail, although fossil plants have been noted by geologists working in the area. Floras from the area range in age from Devonian to Jurassic and are preserved as compression/ impression fossils with some examples of petrified wood. The investigation will include systematic and detailed collections from 38 localities over two field seasons. Since the floras from Antarctica are some of the most poorly known in the world, a systematic study of these fossils provides a unique opportunity to compare floral diversity and composition over a large span of geologic time. An evaluation of these floras in the context of the geological setting in which they occur will provide an important source of data that can be used in wide-ranging studies, including biostratigraphy, paleoecology and paleoclimatology.