Naracoorte caves: a critical window on faunal extinctions and past climates

该项目旨在在澳大利亚最丰富的第四纪化石遗址--纳拉库尔特洞穴建立一个前所未有的生物多样性和环境变化记录。这项研究将综合保存矿床的所有方面，采用地质年代学、古生物学和地球化学方面的新方法，以发展真正全面的古生态和古气候历史。该项目将建立一个关于过去生态和环境变化的基准数据集，加强关键研究优先领域的科学创新。它将对理解巨型动物保护和过去的生物多样性反应产生重大影响，并将为未来的保护和气候变化适应战略提供信息。该项目将改变纳拉库尔特洞穴的科学面貌，确保通过教育、生态旅游和知识营销为区域社区带来社会经济效益。

This project aims to establish an unprecedented record of biodiversity and environmental change at Australia’s richest Quaternary fossil site – Naracoorte Caves. The study will integrate all aspects of the preserved deposits, employing new approaches in geochronology, palaeontology and geochemistry to develop truly comprehensive palaeoecological and palaeoclimate histories. This project will establish a benchmark dataset on past ecological and environmental change, strengthening scientific innovation in key research priority areas. It will have significant implications for understanding megafauna extinctions and past biodiversity responses, and will inform future conservation and climate change adaptation strategies. The project will transform the scientific profile of Naracoorte Caves, ensuring socioeconomic benefits to regional communities through education, ecotourism and knowledge marketing.