Workshop: Sino-US Collaborative Research On Critical Transitions In History Of Life

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Workshop: Sino-US Collaborative Research OnCritical Transitions In History Of LifeConvenersZhe-Xi Luo (PI), Douglas H. Erwin & Samual A. BowringIntellectual Merit of Proposed ActivityThe history of earth and its diverse life are characterized by several critical transitions.These include the origins of metazoan animal phyla during the Neoproterozoic, the greatbiotic extinction and subsequent recovery through the Permo-Triassic transition, theMesozoic origins of flower plants and living vertebrate lineages, and the radiation ofmammals in the early Cenozoic. A critical issue in understanding these transitions is therelative importance of ecological processes and response to changes in physicalenvironment. Over the past decade important discoveries and research advances forunderstanding these great evolutionary transitions have came from China and the UnitedStates, the two countries with remarkable scientific resources and complementarystrength in geological and paleontological research.The PI and co-coveners propose to hold a workshop to bring together the US and Chinesescientists most active in these research areas, to exchange ideas and data, and to nurture amore effective network of scientists in geochronology, sedimentology, isotope andorganic geochemistry, and paleontology in both countries.Following preliminary discussion among US and Chinese organizers in the summer of2005, 10-12 American scientists will meet with Chinese counterparts from major nationalresearch institutes and universities in this proposed workshop on the Critical TransitionsIn History of Life in Washington, DC in the fall of 2005. This workshop will explore thepotential for future collaborative studies on the major transitions in history of life andtheir associated environmental changes. Particular focus will be given to development ofintegrated research in geochronology, isotope and organic geochemistry, sedimentarygeology and paleontology. Long-term plans for collaborative work and a reciprocal visitby US scientists to relevant institutions and research sites in China will be made.Broader ImpactThe proposed workshop has broad implications for the US and Chinese Earth Sciencescommunity. The major transitions in the history of life are of interest not only topaleontologists, but also to geochronologists, isotope and organic geochemists, andsedimentologists, and are most likely to stimulate integrated multidisciplinary researchbetween the US and Chinese scientists. It is expected that these activities will create anetwork of Chinese and American scientists with common goals so as to facilitate thesharing of knowledge and information. The steering committee will strive to createopportunity for junior scientists and students to be involved in international collaboration.