INTERNATIONAL PALAEONTOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

 

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2007

 

OBJECTIVES

 

The International Palaeontological Association (IPA) aims to promote and coordinate international cooperation in palaeontology and to encourage the integration and synthesis of all palaeontological knowledge.  A detailed mission statement is published on the IPA web site at [http://ipa.geo.ku.edu].

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Corporate Membership is open to national, regional, and disciplinary palaeontological societies and sections of societies; as well as to other scientific societies, agencies, institutions, organizations, working groups, and informal associations that support the aim of IPA.  Corporate Members pay annual dues to IPA.

 

All organizations that are interested in palaeontology and in supporting the aims of IPA are encouraged to contact the IPA Treasurer about becoming a Corporate Member.

 

There are two classes of individual membership:  Subscribing Members are individuals who subscribe to an international palaeontological journal affiliated with IPA.  A portion of the subscription is designated for dues to IPA.  Ordinary Members pay dues directly to IPA.

 

CONSTITUTION

 

The revised Constitution of IPA was approved by the IPA General Assembly meeting of June 20, 2006, in Beijing.  It is published on the IPA web site at <http://ipa.geo.ku.edu>.

 

OFFICERS 2006-2010

 

The officers of IPA for the term June 2006 through June 2010 are:

 

President: David A. T. Harper (Denmark)

 

Vice-President Stefan Bengtson (Sweden),

 

Vice-President: Luis Buatois (Canada),

 

Vice-President: Greg Edgecombe (United Kingdom),

 

Vice-President: Hou Xianguang (China),

 

Vice-President: Bettina Reichenbacher (Germany),

 

Vice-President: Jean Vannier (France).

 

Secretary-General: Rosalie F. Maddocks (U.S.A.)

 

Treasurer: Bruce S. Lieberman (U.S.A.)

 

Councillor-At-Large:  Hiroshi Kitazato (Japan)

 

Councillor-At-Large: Tat'yana Koren (Russia)

 

Past-President:  Richard J. Aldridge (U.K.)

 

Past-Treasurer:  Roger L. Kaesler (U.S.A.)

 

The President, Treasurer and Secretary-General compose the Executive Committee to conduct the day-to-day business of the IPA.

 

IPA COUNCIL

 

In addition to the Executive Committee and the other Officers of IPA, the Constitution provides that the Council shall include Delegates representing the Corporate Members and the journal Lethaia, as well as Delegates charged with responsibility to carry out a specific task on behalf of IPA.  The following delegates have been designated as of December 2007:

 

Svend Stouge (Delegate for Lethaia, Denmark)

 

Jere H. Lipps (Delegate for IPA PaleoParks Project, U.S.A.)

 

Michal Kucera (Delegate for The Micropalaeontological Society, Germany)

 

Dr. Makoto Manabe (Delegate for The Palaeontological Society of Japan)

 

Prof. M. P. Singh (Delegate for The Palaeontological Society of India)

 

Howard A. Armstrong (Delegate for The Palaeontological Association, United Kingdom)

 

Lucy E. Edwards (Delegate to the IUBS Annual Meeting, U.S.A.)

 

Corporate Members of IPA who have not yet named their Delegates are encouraged to do so and to send the contact information to the Secretary-General.

 

BUSINESS MEETING

 

The most recent meeting of the IPA General Assembly was held during the Second International Palaeontological Congress in Beijing, China on June 20, 2006. 

 

The next meeting of the General Assembly is scheduled for the Third International Palaeontological Congress in 2010. 

 

AFFILIATIONS, MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDING

 

The IPA is affiliated with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and with the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) but receives no funding from either organization.

 

The income of the IPA is derived in part from Corporate Membership.   Annual dues notices are sent by the IPA Treasurer at the beginning of each calendar year and are payable immediately.  Some Corporate Members choose to pay ahead for multiple years, and this procedure is strongly encouraged for the convenience of all.

 

The following is the list of Corporate Members in good standing for 2007 (dues received for 2007):

 

Argentina:  Asociation Paleontologica Argentina

British Columbia Paleontological Alliance

Canada:  Geological Survey of Canada

Czech Republic:  Geological Institute ASCR

France:  Association Paléontologique Française (APF)

Carnets de Geologie, Notebooks on Geology

India:  Palaeontological Society of India

Japan:  Palaeontological Society of Japan

New Zealand:  The Royal Society of New Zealand

Romania:  Paleontological Society of Romania

Spain:  Sociedad Española de Paleontología

Switzerland:  Société Paléontologique de la Suisse

The Micropalaeontological Society

The Palaeontological Association

U.S.A.:  The Paleontological Society

Some of these societies have been faithful members of IPA for many years, and the IPA appreciates their continuing support.

 

Another source of IPA income is dues from Subscribing Memberships, which are designated as a portion of each individual subscription to Lethaia, the International Journal of Palaeontology and Stratigraphy.   As of December 2007 the total number of individual subscribers to Lethaia is 158.

 

Ordinary Membership is available to individual palaeontologists who wish to support the aims of IPA.  Individuals pay dues of $5 annually directly to the Treasurer.  As of December 2007 there are two Members in this category.

 

To ensure continuity and accurate records, all Corporate and Ordinary Members are encouraged to pay dues ahead for multiple years at a time.

 

IPA AND LETHAIA

 

The IPA and the Lethaia Foundation are proud to announce that members of IPA and The Palaeontological Association are now eligible for online subscription to Lethaia at discounted rates, as well as a discount on volumes of Fossils and Strata.  For more information, including student rates, go to <www.blackwellpublishing.com> or <direct.enquiries@marston.co.uk>.

 

To publicize this, the Lethaia Foundation and Blackwell Publishing have printed an informational color leaflet (Appendix 1).  Corporate Members of IPA and organizers of palaeontological conferences are encouraged to distribute it to their members and attendees.  Bulk copies of this leaflet are available from Soren Hemmingsen at Wiley-Blackwell <Soren.Hemmingsen@mks.blackwellpublishing.com>. 

 

Lethaia, an international journal of palaeontology and stratigraphy, is published by Blackwell Publishing (effective 1 January 2007, formerly by Taylor and Francis Publishers) under the oversight of the Lethaia Foundation (Lars Holmer, Chairman).  The Editors of Lethaia described the continuing mission and some new policies in an Editorial in the first issue for 2007 (Appendix 2).

 

The IPA and Lethaia have enjoyed a long and fruitful symbiotic relationship.  Members of IPA were influential in the founding of Lethaia in 1968 as an international journal of broad scope in palaeontology and stratigraphy, at a time when nearly all other journals were tied to national organizations and specialized scientific interests.  In 1970 IPA formally adopted Lethaia as its official journal and authorized the publisher to collect IPA dues from individual subscribers.  According to the IPA Constitution, formal communications of IPA are published in Lethaia.  Lethaia is a formal publication outlet for the IPA, and subscription by an individual confers membership in IPA.  The IPA encourages all palaeontologists to support Lethaia and IPA by subscribing and by submitting high-quality palaeontological manuscripts.

 

THE IPA WEB SITE AND ELECTRONIC DIRECTORIES

 

The IPA Constitution prescribes the publication of a World Directory of Palaeontologists.  Since 2001 this has been published electronically. 

 

The IPA web site <http://ipa.geo.ku.edu/> features general information about the association, its officers, rules and by-laws, links to the publisher of Lethaia and Fossils and Strata, information on palaeontological symposia, and several directories and databases. The site is immensely popular and receives over 1000 hits a month.

 

The officers of IPA are grateful to the IPA web master, Michael Cormack, and to the host institution (the Paleontological Institute, The University of Kansas), for capable development and maintenance of this valuable resource. In January 2007 the IPA purchased a new computer to provide improved server function for these databases.

 

Three electronic directories have long been part of the IPA site. 

 

The Directory of Paleontologists of the World  (1,867 records)

 

The Directory of Fossil Collections of the World  (90 records)

 

The PaleoLink Database  (307 records)

 

Another electronic directory is under development:

 

PaleoParks: The Preservation and Conservation of Fossil  Sites, coordinated by Jere H. Lipps.

 

All palaeontologists are requested to submit their information to these databases and to update and verify existing information.

 

SPONSORSHIP FOR PALAEONTOLOGICAL MEETINGS

 

All organizers of international palaeontological meetings are invited to apply for IPA sponsorship, which includes permission to mention IPA sponsorship on advertising materials and to use the IPA logo on conference documents.  This permission is granted automatically for individual members and corporate members of IPA.

 

In 2006 IPA sponsorship was granted to the following meetings:

 

"Primitive Life, Ancient Radiations."  Two-day symposium, December 7-8, 2006, at the Reunion des Sciences de la Terre in Dijon, France (Organizers, Frederic Marin and Bertrand Lefebvre).  (Report attached as Appendix 3.)

 

"X Congress Fossil Cnidaria and Porifera," August 12-16, 2007, St. Petersburg, Russia (Organizer, Dr. Olga Kossovaya). 

 

In 2007 IPA sponsorship was granted to the following meetings:

 

"Major Events in the Evolution of the Marine Biota"  (Organizers, Drs. David A. T. Harper and Rong Jiayu).  33^rd International Geological Congress in Oslo, August 2008.

 

"Fossils from Orogenic Belts" (Organizers, Drs. David Bruton and David A. T. Harper).  33^rd International Geological Congress in Oslo, August 2008.

 

"PaleoParks: The Conservation and Preservation of Paleontological Sites" (Organizer, Dr. Jere Lipps).  33^rd International Geological Congress in Oslo, August 2008.

 

 "Oceanic hypoxia: Present and past"  (Conveners: Elisabeth Alve, Hiroshi Kitazato, Bruce Corliss).  33^rd International Geological Congress in Oslo, August 2008.

 

 "International Conference on the Cambrian Explosion," August 3-7, 2009, in Banff, Alberta, in honor of the 100^th Anniversary of the discovery of the Burgess Shale by Charles Doolittle Walcott.  (Organizer, Jean-Bernard Caron) <http://www.geology.utoronto.ca/facultycaron/Walcott2009.htm>

 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF PALAEONTOLOGICAL MEETINGS

 

The Association considers applications for small grants to cover the costs of initial planning, but not to defray travel and other expenses of participants.  It is expected that this seed money will be repaid when the meeting is successfully concluded.  Funding is usually made well in advance of the meeting.  No applications were received in 2007.

 

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

 

E-bulletins describing activities of the IUGS are received regularly and are published at the following web site: <http://www.iugs.org/>.  IUGS Vice President Eldridge Moores is the liaison officer with Affiliated Societies.

 

The IUGS Executive Committee Meeting was held January 16-20, 2007, in Nara, Japan.  Dr. Hiroshi Kitazato (IPA Councillor-At-Large) attended as an observer on behalf of IPA and the Palaeontological Society of Japan.  His report is attached as Appendix 4.

 

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH (IYPE)

 

On 22 January 2006 the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 2008 (the middle year of the 2007-2009 triennium) as the International Year of Planet Earth.  This UNESCO program was initiated by IUGS. 

 

In January2006 the IPA was granted Associate Partner status as a sponsor of IYPE.  Dr. Richard J. Aldridge (Past-President of IPA) is the representative of IPA to IYPE. 

 

The new IYPE website is <http://yearofplanetearth.org/index.html> .  Information about the objectives and activities of IYPE is available on that site, including regular status reports.  Also downloadable from that site is the color brochure "Earth and Life: Origins of Diversity,"  which is one of the 10 themes of the IYPE.   In 2006 IPA made a contribution in partial support of printing costs for this brochure, edited by Dr. Bettina Reichenberger.

 

The IPA expects to be involved in outreach activities of the IYPE.  In fulfillment of this objective, IPA is conducting PaleoParks workshops and database development for monitoring of endangered palaeontological sites worldwide (Dr. Jere Lipps, Coordinator).

 

In May of 2006 the IPA submitted an Expression of Interest to the IYPE to register our intention to request funding for the PaleoParks project.  As of December 2007, no answer has been received to our inquiries about the status of this Expression of Interest. We look forward to the opportunity to submit a formal proposal for this purpose soon.

 

The IPA encourages all of its Corporate and Individual Members to examine the objectives of the IYPE, to consider submitting proposals for palaeontological activities under either the outreach or investigative science rubrics, and to request IPA sponsorship of these activities as appropriate.

 

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

 

As a member organization, IPA sent a Delegate (Dr. Lucy E. Edwards) to the IUBS General Assembly in Washington, D. C., in May 2007.  Her report is attached here as Appendix 5. 

 

Information about IUBS is available at [www.iubs.org].  We look forward to continued cooperation with IUBS in activities of mutual interest. 

 

THIRD INTERNATIONAL PALEONTOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2010

 

Preliminary, informal conversations have been held with the Association Paléontologique Française regarding a possible venue in France and more recently The Palaeontological Association regarding a venue in the United Kingdom.   In addition, two informal expressions of interest have been received, and these individuals have been asked to submit a more detailed and firm proposal.

 

Other Corporate Members of IPA who may be interested in hosting or assisting with the organization of this meeting are encouraged to bring their ideas to the attention of the Executive Committee for consideration.

 

33^rd INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS

 

The IPA will sponsor several palaeontological symposia for the 33^rd IGC, 5-14 August 2008 in Oslo.  Proposed topics include "Major events in the evolution of the marine biota"  (Drs. David Harper and Rong Jiayu, Convenors) and "Fossils from orogenic belts" (Drs. David Bruton and David Harper, Convenors). 

 

The IPA has also proposed a Workshop on "PaleoParks: The Conservation and Preservation of Paleontological Sites" (Dr. Jere Lipps, Convenor). 

 

Corporate Members of IPA are encouraged to propose additional symposia and workshops with palaeontological themes.  The planned field excursions for IGC-33 include several of possible palaeontological interest.

 

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE, ICZN AFFILIATES, MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

 

On 13 July 2006 President David A. T. Harper signed a Memorandum of Cooperation establishing the new status of IPA as an ICZN Affiliate.  This status acknowledges that IPA supports the aim and activities of the ICZN but requires no financial contribution.

 

PALEOPARKS PROJECT

 

"PaleoParks – The Preservation and Conservation of Fossil Sites World-Wide" will be published by Carnets de Geologie as Memoir 2008/01 in early 2008. This volume, edited by Jere H. Lipps, contains contributions to the workshops sponsored by the IPA at the International Paleontological Congress in Beijing in 2006.  The Carnets de Geologie web site is <http://paleopolis.rediris.es/cg >.  The tentative Table of Contents is attached here as Appendix 6.

 

The IPA has proposed a Workshop on "PaleoParks: The Conservation and Preservation of Paleontological Sites," to be held during the 33^rd IGC.  The Convenor is Dr. Jere Lipps.  This is a continuing series of meetings, started at IGC 32 in Florence in 2004 and continued in IPC2006, to bring together palaeontologists and others who are informed about the need for and status of the conservation and preservation of palaeontological sites that have heritage, educational, touristic or scientific values.  The workshop will consist of presentations about such sites, discussion of them, a discussion of the aims and goals of the PaleoParks Initiative, and of the process of identifying such sites and how to get them recognized and preserved.

 

A report of the progress of the PaleoParks program by Dr. Jere Lipps, Coordinator, is attached here as Appendix 7, including a draft of the aims of this project.   Formal goals and specific objectives for the PaleoParks project are being developed, for discussion and endorsement in Oslo at a meeting to be scheduled during the 33^rd International Geological Congress.  Web pages are running and in development on the IPA web site. 

 

Dr. Lipps reports that he greatly appreciates the encouragement and suggestions of participants in former workshops.  He invites IPA Corporate and Individual Members and anyone else who may be interested in becoming involved in this activity to contact him directly at <jlipps@berkeley.edu>. 

 

Officers of IPA heard with concern the allegations that appeared in news media on August 27, concerning possible damage to the "Whale Valley" World Heritage Site in Egypt.  Efforts to obtain more specific information were unsuccessful.

 

IPA President David A. T. Harper wrote in support of the proposal to add "Geopark Arouca" to the European Geoparks Network (Appendix 8).   This site in Portugal is of unique scientific importance for giant trilobites and other significant Ordovician fossils.

 

GEOHERITAGE

 

On 15 August Dr. W.A.P. Wimbledon, ProGEO Secretary (ProGEO, European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage, affiliated to IUGS) invited IPA to join a consortium of national and international, scientific and geoconservation organizations, which will function as a global editorial board for a proposed new journal Geoheritage.  The proposed scope of Geoheritage will include geosite conservation but also a spectrum of on-site science, geological and geomorphological research, GSSPs, management and physical conservation, interpretation, education, tourism, sustainable development, wider environmental issues, the built heritage where there is a connection to natural materials, and also data, materials and places relevant to science and the history of science.  IPA was invited in order to provide a focus for palaeontology among the wider geoscientific interests already represented.  It is hoped that consortium members will help to encourage people, groups and organizations to edit, write, and promote the writing of papers for the journal.

 

IPA gladly accepted the invitation to join this consortium for purposes of palaeontological oversight and communication.  Dr. Jere Lipps (IPA Delegate for PaleoParks Project) has been appointed to serve as Liaison with the consortium on behalf of IPA.  In discussions concerning viability of a new journal, IPA would encourage consideration of either an online journal or systematic alliances with a short list of existing journals such as Lethaia.  Although it would be inappropriate to take a direct part in editing a journal, the IPA will be delighted to coordinate this initiative with existing projects, such as PaleoParks and the International Year of Planet Earth, and to encourage all Members and Corporate Members of IPA to participate.

 

According to the IYPE Status Report for November 2007, Geoheritage will be launched as a Springer journal in 2008.  No further news has been received from this project.

 

ASSEMBLING THE TREE OF LIFE

 

On March 3 David A.T. Harper (President of IPA) wrote to John Alroy expressing IPA support for the Paleobiology Database application to NSF's Assembling the Tree of Life Program (Appendix 9).

 

ACCOUNTS FOR 2007

 

Treasurer's Reports are compiled quarterly and annually. 

 

In April 2001 the Secretary-General and the Treasurer submitted a signed statement to the United States Internal Revenue Service seeking to register the IPA as a charity pursuing educational aims and therefore exempt from paying tax.  This status has been approved and continues.

 

ROGER L. KAESLER (1939-2007)

 

Officers of the IPA and paleontologists everywhere were saddened to learn of the death of Roger L. Kaesler after a lengthy illness.  Roger Kaesler served as Treasurer of the IPA from 1995 to 2005.  He also served for many years as Director of the Paleontological Institute, Editor-In-Chief of the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, and Professor of Geology at The University of Kansas (Appendix 10, 11).

 

SMITHONIAN INSTITUTION ARCHIVES

 

In 1993 an agreement was reached with the Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) to deposit the IPA records there.  Correspondence with Archivist Shawn Johnstone confirms that one box of records was deposited in 1994 covering the dates 1973–1992. 

 

In January 2005, Dr. Roger L. Kaesler, IPA Treasurer, transferred correspondence and records accumulated during the years 1995–2002 to the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

 

Other IPA officers for the period 1993–2002 have been asked to transfer their IPA records to the SIA. 

 

Anyone having information concerning the whereabouts of IPA records for any part of the period 1933–1973 is requested to contact the Secretary-General. 

 

CONCLUSION

 

In 2007 the IPA continued to provide leadership and support for palaeontological activities worldwide.

 

In 2008, the Executive Committee of IPA intend to:

 

Support, communicate, and coordinate international palaeontological activities effectively, with the help of IPA Corporate Members.

 

Sponsor international palaeontological symposia and workshops at many sites and occasions.

 

Develop formal goals and specific objectives for the PaleoParks Program, and begin to accomplish them.

 

Cooperate with other international organizations and programs on behalf of the palaeontological sciences, including IUGS, IUBS, IYPE, the Geoheritage program, and ICZN.

 

Continue developing an electronic Directory of Globally Important Palaeontological Sites (PaleoParks Initiative).

 

Cooperate in planning and sponsorship of palaeontology-related activities for the International Year of Planet Earth.

 

Encourage more palaeontologists to subscribe to Lethaia.

 

Encourage more palaeontological societies to become Corporate Members of IPA.

 

Encourage working groups and other informal palaeontological organizations to affiliate with IPA.

 

Encourage contributions by organizations and individuals to the directories maintained by IPA.

 

Encourage specialist palaeontological societies to hold their meetings in close juxtaposition with the International Palaeontological Congresses.

 

Encourage participation by palaeontologists in relevant interdisciplinary scientific programs.

 

Continue to represent and develop the interests of palaeontology where appropriate — nationally, regionally and worldwide.

 

Submitted January 15, 2008

Rosalie F. Maddocks

Secretary-General IPA

 

Appendices:

 

1. Leaflet:  Lethaia and Fossils and Strata

 

2.  Editorial, by the Editors of Lethaia, 2007.

 

3.  Report on "Primitive Life, Ancient Radiations."  Two-day symposium sponsored by IPA, December 7-8, 2006, at the Reunion des Sciences de la Terre in Dijon, France (Organizers, Frederic Marin and Bertrand Lefebvre).

 

4.  Report on IUGS Executive Committee Meeting, January 16–20, 2007 in Nara, Japan, by Dr. Hiroshi Kitazato

 

5.   Report on International Union of Biological Sciences General Assembly, May 9–13, 2007, in Washington D. C., by Dr. Lucy E. Edwards.

 

6.  PaleoParks — The Preservation and Conservation of Fossil Sites World-Wide, Table of Contents, by Jere H. Lipps, Editor.

 

7. Report on PaleoParks program by Jere H. Lipps.

 

8.  Letter in support of Geopark Arouca by David A.T. Harper.

 

9.  Letter in support of Paleobiology Database application to NSF's Assembling the Tree of Life Program, by David A.T. Harper.

 

10.  Biographical synopsis for Roger L. Kaesler (Past-Treasurer IPA), provided by Bruce Lieberman (Treasurer IPA).

 

11.  Letter of condolence for Roger L. Kaesler, Executive Committee IPA

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 1:

 

 

 

Appendix 2: Editorial

 

Changes in Lethaia and Fossils and Strata

 

Svend Stouge, David A.T. Harper and Jan A. Rasmussen, Editors.

 

In 2006, the Board of the Lethaia Foundation signed an agreement with Blackwell Publishing. From 2007 Blackwell will be responsible for the publication of both Lethaia and the monograph series, Fossils and Strata. The Board of the Lethaia Foundation also voted unanimously to implement a number of new policies for the two journals beginning on 1 January 2007. Both review and short papers are now particularly welcome and a much greater emphasis will be laid on the electronic aspects of our publication strategy. In addition to these changes, the Lethaia Foundation will move offices from Oslo, Norway to Copenhagen in Denmark. We look forward to continuing the active and positive cooperation with our authors and readers together with our new publishers. Moreover, our long-standing relationship with the International Palaeontological Association (IPA) and its members will continue as will our recently established links with the International Stratigraphical Commission (ICS).

At Lethaia, the executive structure will continue to consist of an Editor-in-Chief and two handling editors. The editorial board, however, will be doubled during the coming year to include expertise representing the rapidly expanding diversity of research within our science and the changing scope of the journal. The purpose of this expanded editorial board is to ensure that submissions are handled more effectively by editors with expert guidance from members on the editorial board.

For the last 4 years Fossils and Strata has been edited by David Bruton, University of Oslo, Norway. David has now retired as Editor following production of Fossils and Strata volume 53 (2006). The editorship of Fossil and Strata will continue now within the remit of the Editor-in-Chief of Lethaia. We take the opportunity to thank David Bruton for his tremendous efforts in editing Fossils and Strata, in particular maintaining the steady flow of manuscripts and the high quality of production that is required for this monograph series. In the last few years David has also expanded the scope of Fossils and Strata, which now receives contributions of original research from all over the world. Fossils and Strata will also continue to occasionally publish special issues showcasing high-calibre research on single themes of particular importance.

A new manuscript submission and tracking system together with a reviewer database is being implemented (see instructions to authors). The journal now accepts electronic submissions in PDF format. Potential authors should consult http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/let in order to use the electronic submission system.

We would also like to remind readers that the journal is accessible to subscribers on-line at http:// www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/let.

We anticipate that these developments, together with the policy changes noted above, will considerably increase the readership and impact of the journal and that both our journals will continue to reflect the exciting diversity of contemporary palaeontology.

DOI 10.1111/j.1502-3931.2007.00010.x " 2007 The Authors, Journal compilation " 2007 The Lethaia Foundation

Appendix 3:   "Primitive Life, Ancient Radiations."  Two-day symposium, December 7-8, 2006, at the Reunion des Sciences de la Terre in Dijon, France (Organizers, Frederic Marin and Bertrand Lefebvre).

 

International Symposium on Primitive Life and Ancient Radiations

The primitive Life, Ancient Radiations Symposium was held Thursday 7 and Friday 8 December 2006 at Palais des Congrès of Dijon, Burgundy. This symposium was a part of a bigger scientific event, the RST meeting (21^st meeting of the Réunion des Sciences de la Terre, 04 to 08 December 2006), which is organized every two years in France. This time, more than 800 researchers registered to the RST.

The "Primitive Life, Ancient Radiations" Symposium, also called Symposium S1 (see abstract book, pages 27 to 44) was one of the peaks of the whole RST meeting. It was one of the two international symposiums, the second one being "Isotopic Systems, Datations, Deformations". Symposium S1 attracted specifically 115 persons, mainly researchers, post-docs and PhD students. 12 nationalities were represented among the researchers who presented their work at symposium S1: Belgium, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA. It was a unique opportunity to have researchers from different fields exchanging their experience. A panel of experts in paleoenvironments, palaeontology, sedimentology, biomineralization, and chemistry was represented in symposium S1.

Before the meeting, 37 abstracts were received. One participant, Dr. Luo Kunli, had to cancel his participation but was replaced by Pr. B. Teyssèdre. There were 4 keynote speakers: Pr. Jean-Yves Sire replaced Dr. Jean Vannier, who cancelled at last minute his participation. 21 researchers gave short communications (see detailed program herewith). A poster session (12 posters) was organized on Friday afternoon.

Following the S1 symposium, it was proposed to all the participants to have their work published in Biogeosciences Discussion. 7 manuscripts were submitted electronically to this periodical. 3 manuscripts were published. These manuscripts are available at: http://www.biogeosciences-discuss.net/special_issue23.html. They comprise:

a) W. E. G. Müller, J. Li, H. C. Schröder, L. Qiao, and X. Wang. The unique skeleton of siliceous sponges (Porifera; Hexactinellida and Demospongiae) that evolved first from the Urmetazoa during the Proterozoic: a review. Biogeosciences Discuss., 4, 385-416, 2007.

b) G. Le Hir, Y. Godd"ris, Y. Donnadieu, and G. Ramstein. A geochemical modelling study of the evolution of the chemical composition of seawater linked to a global glaciation: implications for life sustainability. Biogeosciences Discuss., 4, 1839-1876, 2007.

c) B. Teyssèdre. Precambrian palaeontology in the light of molecular phylogeny – an example: the radiation of the green algae. Biogeosciences Discuss., 4, 3123-3142, 2007.

To conclude, symposium S1 was a frank success. On a personal viewpoint, it stimulated me to think of the organization of a similar event focussed on the "Cambrian Event" in the coming few years.

Appendix 4: 

 

Brief Report of IUGS Executive Committee meeting at Nara, Japan

Hiroshi Kitazato (JAMSTEC, IFREE)

 

     IUGS-EC meeting was held at the Nara New Public Hall during January 16 through 20, 2007.  The last day is a closed session for executive committee members.  As a Japanese observer from the Palaeontological Society of Japan, I took part in the meeting first three days.  Here, I make a brief report that is related to paleontology in particular to IPA activities.

 

1. Both prospectus and business plan for the International Year of Planet Earth were reported by Prof. Eduardo de Mulder, executive director for IYPE Corperation.  He explained IYPE plan in detail.  It plans to conduct three core programs, science, outreach and development.  Science Program is composed of ten themes including "Earth and Life" that is main interest for IPA.  Both "Climate" and "Ocean" may also be interesting themes for paleontologists.  Outreach program is located on the central activities for IYPE.  Lots of ideas have already proposed as outreach program, such as GeoParks, teaching teachers, Geo-Olympic for high school students, new year concert, and others ."     Several simulated plans for IYPE budget are indicated.  Realistic scenario costs c.a. US$ 400,000.  One third of the budget will be used for both science and outreach program.  Salary and travel costs for secretary also occupy one third of the budget".

 

2. The 33^rd IGC will be held at Oslo, 2008.  The plan has reported by Prof. Arne Bjorlykke, president of the organizing committee.  Seven plenary lectures and more than 300 special/general sessions are planned and proposed.  Among them, more than 20 proposed sessions are strongly related to the topics of paleontology, historical geology and paleoceanography".   Scientists who plan to take part in the congress from the third world countries are suggested to apply for Geohost program. 

     The 34^th IGC will be held at Brisbane, Australia in 2012.  Prof. Neil Williams, president of the organizing committee, explained about the congress outline.  Oceania countries shall strongly involve in the Brisbane Congress. 

     Both IUGS and IGC have merged at the time of the 32^nd IGC at Florence.  However, it still remains to construct common statutes and bye-laws between them.  It shall be finished until the 33^rd IGC.  IGC tend to expand towards Inter-Geounion Conferences together with IUGG, INQUA, IGU and other communities that are related to Geosciences, like AGU.

 

3. IPA activity for 2006 has reported by Prof. Mikhail Fedonkin, councilar of IUGS Executive Committee during the activity reports from the affiliated organizations.  His report is so good that I need not give any additional comments for his report.

 

4. UNESCO report was held on the last day.  Situation of IUGS in UNESCO is critical for sustaining international geological program such as IGCP".

 

5. Minutes of IUGS-EC will be delivered from the secretary soon.

Appendix 5:

 

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MEETING

May 9-13, 2007  Washington, D.C.

 

Dr. Lucy E. Edwards attended on behalf of the IPA.

 

Hi All,

I thought I would jot down my thoughts from the IUBS meeting.  First, I

only went to the 2 business meetings (general assemblies).  These were

scheduled around 2.5 days of talks and 0.5 days on education.  Title of the

scientific symposium for this year was "Biological Sciences for the 21st

Century: Meeting the Challenges of Sustainable Development In an Era of

Global Change."

 

One of the new procedures voted on by the general assembly is

to allow more lead time for the ordinary (country) and scientific societies

to submit candidates.  Names of candidates  will now be expected one year

before the next meeting.

 

New President is John Buckeridge of New Zealand.

 

The next meeting will be in South Africa, in November 2009.  (Meetings are

usually 3 years apart, but apparently this year's Washington meeting was

later than usual.) Contact person is Lorna Holman.

 

IUBS has designated 2009 as "Darwin Year."  Giorgio Bernardi is contact

person.

 

New President John Buckeridge promised increased communication, including

proceedings of this meeting, to all.

 

 

Appendix 6:  Special Issue of Carnets de Geologie as Memoir 2008/01 in early 2008

 

PaleoParks—The Preservation and Conservation of Fossil Sites World-Wide

 

Organized and Edited by Jere H. Lipps

Department of Integrative Biology

Museum of Paleontology and University of California

Berkeley, CA 94720      jlipps@berkeley.edu

 

INTRODUCTION

Jere H. Lipps—What is a PaleoPark?

 

CHINA

Wang--The Triassic Guanling fossil group--- A key Geo-park from Barren Mountain, Guizhou Province, China

 

FRANCE

Pages-- Le G"opark de Haute-Provence, France--Geology and palaeontology protected for sustainable development

 

MEXICO

Gaitan--The protection and use of the geologic and paleontology heritage in Baja California Sur, Mexico

 

NEW ZEALAND

Hayward--Protecting fossil sites in New Zealand

 

PAKISTAN

Sameeni--The Salt Range: Pakistan's Unique Field Museum of Geology and Paleontology

 

Russia

Ivantsov, Fedonkin, et al.  Vendian fossils are endangered, White Sea, Russia.

 

THAILAND

Boonchai--Paleontological Parks and Museums and Prominent Fossil Sites in Thailand and Their Importance in the Conservation of Fossils

 

THE UNITED STATES

Goldstein--Managing Fossil Resources at the Falls of the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, USA: A Fossil Park in an Urban Setting

Nyborg—Copper Canyon track locality (Pliocene) conservation strategies, Death Valley National Park, USA

Appendix 7:  Report on PaleoParks Program, by Jere H. Lipps.

 

The PaleoParks Initiative is an important new activity of IPA.  After initial development at two international meetings, it is an official international recognition of the importance of field preserves for paleontology.  In general, paleontology's most important resources are the field collection and relationships of fossils and context data.  Without these, paleontology cannot progress.  Recognizing this, the IPA proposed a program to identify, protect and conserve fossil sites worldwide.  The effort will involve the world's paleontological community of interested people, amateur and commercial fossil collectors, and professional paleontologists.  IPA will rely on these people to nominate sites, work with local individuals, the public and officials to recognize that fossil sites provide scientific, educational and recreational values worth preserving in some manner.  Sites will be tabulated in an on-line database consisting of well-protected sites already available for public use and sites deemed too fragile or poorly protected to be generally known on the Internet.  The PaleoParks website and database is managed by the IPA through its resources and web master, Michael Cormack, at the University of Kansas (http://ipa.geo.ku.edu:591/paleoparks/index.html ). 

The PaleoParks Initiative began in 2004 through an invitation by R. Aldridge to me to organize a workshop at the International Geological Congress in Florence (2004).  This workshop consisted of a meeting with over 100 interested people in attendance to hear speakers describe efforts and results of preserving significant paleontological sites from a variety of place in the world.  Much discussion ensued.  Many international contacts were developed.

 

Later at the International Paleontological Congress in Beijing in June 2006, IPA sponsored another session on PaleoParks and had a discussion of its future at the IPA meeting held there.  David Harper, Bruce Leiberman, Richard Aldridge, and I took part in the discussion with contributions from the invited audience.  The discussion was very positive but some people did not think the use of "PaleoParks" was good for two reasons.

1.  This was because some sites IPA might want to protect were not "parks" in the normal sense and that this would be misleading. This is a matter of definition and presentation (marketing).  Size and function are not part of the IPA definition.  Nor do they seem to be part of the definition of "park" in the Oxford English Dictionary.  IPA's definition of fossil reserves as "parks" relates to land set aside (or designated) for some purpose.  The OED notes that there are animal parks, botanical parks, recreational parks, private parks etc, and PaleoParks would include a variety of park types too--private to National Parks.

2.  Several European (including UK) paleontologists thought IPA might be intruding into the GeoParks concept and agreements.  The PaleoParks concept is similar, but specifically focused on paleontology since this is often a more fragile resource than many of the geologic features in a GeoPark.  Some PaleoParks would overlap and include GeoParks or parts of them, just as it would include some of the US National Park System (Dinosaur National Park is a good example—it would be listed, but nothing would be done unless IPA was informed of problems there.), the World Heritage Sites (Shark Bay and Whale Valley are examples), and local parks.

Other names were considered by IPA, including:  PaleoSites, Fossil Parks, Fossil Sites, World PaleoSites, etc.  IPA decided in November 2007 that PaleoParks was the best name because it encompasses everything it wants to do and sounds significant.  It should not be confused with GeoParks, National Parks, World Heritage Sites, or others.  Some PaleoParks would simply preserve a resource, while others might include recreational and educational uses too.

The goals and objectives of the PaleoParks Initiative were developed to include: 

 

1. To identify significant paleontologic field resources, as defined locally, nationally or internationally. These could also be living resources of significance to paleontologists (living fossils, perhaps like the Redwood parks in California; stromatolites in Shark Bay already a World Heritage Site; microbial mats in the Tuamotos and on Moorea; cloud forests; certain swamps; etc).

2. To identify and tabulate all PaleoParks world-wide in a database, including established sites such as GeoParks, Dinosaur Nat. Park, Shark Bay, with important fossils, etc., but importantly new, undesignated sites. The database would include the usual identifiers but also the preservation and conservation status of the site, the goals for preservation and conservation, problems at the site either designated already or established. The database would be available on-line through passwords only.

3. To support activities with expert advice and action to preserve and conserve significant sites at an appropriate private, local, state, national, or international level.

4. To identify and respond to problems at endangered sites, with appropriate expert opinion and advice.

5. To assist in the development of such sites to enhance the educational, research and recreational uses. Some might support all three uses, others might be preserved just for research or education. Each site will be evaluated by experts.

6. To provide general information on paleontological sites world-wide to those in positions of authority.

7. To make available lists of fossil sites that offer supervised educational and/or recreational activities. This would be on-line and not password protected. The sites included here would obviously be properly protected, officially designated and publicly available already. This is an official outreach and educational activity of IPA.

8. To provide a "speaker's bureau" associated with particular sites or regions of experts who are also good speakers for outreach to the general public and educational organizations.

9. To identify and/or provide literature on particular sites. This could include scientific, recreational, legal, administrative, etc., information.

10. To provide an image database related to PaleoParks for use by the various constituencies.

 

IPA has a web site under development at http://ipa.geo.ku.edu as <http://ipa.geo.ku.edu:591/paleoparks/index.html>.  The general layout of the site is complete as are several of its pages.  Additional pages will be added in the future.

 

In May of 2006 the IPA submitted an Expression of Interest to the IYPE to register our intention to request funding for the PaleoParks project.  As of December 2007, no answer has been received to our inquiries about the status of this Expression of Interest.

 

In order to call attention to the PaleoParks Initiative, I wrote an editorial for Palaeontologica Electronica called "News stories we'd hate to see" that consisted of fictional stories about fossil and fossil site destruction, ending in a statement about IPA's efforts.  It was issued in December 2007;  see http://palaeo-electronica.org/2007_3/editorial/lipps.htm .

 

In another effort to bring PaleoParks to the attention of paleontologists, a special issue of Carnets de Geologie has been developed that includes 10 papers dealing with various endangered or protected sites from seven countries.  The contents of this issue, to be issued in early 2008, are listed in Appendix 6.

 

Planning was completed for another PaleoParks workshop at the IGC in Oslo in August, 2008.  This will consist of discussions about how to identify important (defined locally) fossil sites, how to protect sites using local people and resources, and how to get them officially designated by the proper authorities.

 

Submitted December 19, 2007.  

Jere H. Lipps.

 

 

 

 

 Appendix 8:  Geopark Arouca

 

STATENS NATURHISTORISKE MUSEUM

K O B E N H A V N S U N I V E R S I T E T

 

Ex.mo. Sr.

Presidente da Camara Municipal de Arouca

Praga do Municipio

4544-00I Arouca

PORTUGAL

 

Dear Sir.

 

I was delighted to hear from my colleague Artur Abreu Sa 56, professor at the Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro University (UTAD), of the plans for your municipality to become a partner within the European Geoparks Network. I am writing to add my strong support for this important initiative. The site is significant, globally, because of the unique scientific importance of its Middle Ordovician giant trilobites together with many other associated fossils occurring in Val6rio's quarry. In addition the important trace fossil sites in the Paiva river valley have revealed spectacular Lower Ordovician Cruziana ichnofossils graphically displaying life on an ancient seafloor.

 

I understand that the plans for the further protection, study, publication and scientific promotion of this outstanding heritage region are based on the principles established for the European Geoparks Network. The proposed Geopark will be important scientifically because of its unique fossil localities that represent and clearly illustrate significant chapters in Earth history; a world populated by animals quite different from those we see today. In addition, it will be a site at which through controlled access, the public can learn much from natural outcrops of international scientific value.

 

I must congratulate you on this important initiative and look forward to when "Geopark Arouca" is a member of the European Geoparks Network.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

David A.T. Harper, D.Sc.

 

Professor of Palaeontology

Head of Geology

President, International Palaeontological Association

 

28 SEPTEMBER 2OO7

 

GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, OSTER VOLDGADE 5-7, 1350 COPENHAGEN K

TEL +45353223 45, DIR +4535322371, FAX +4535322325

dharper@snm.ku.dk     www.ku.dk

 

Appendix 9:  Assembling the Tree of Life

 

From: Harper, David A.T.

Sent: Fri 3/9/2007 9:28 AM

To: John Alroy

Subject: Support for PBDB application to NSF's Assembling the Tree of Life Program

 

Dr John Alroy

The Paleobiology Database

National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis

735 State Street, Suite 300

Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3351

 

Dear Dr Alroy,

 

I am writing in my capacity as President of the International Palaeontological Association to express strong support for your proposal to NSF's Assembling the Tree of Life program.  I specifically concur with the proposal's stated goals of providing new molecular clock calibration points, quantifying long-term trends in diversity, and compiling data to be reposited with such important organizations as CIPRES and ITIS.  Funding would produce significant results in a rapid and efficient manner by matching the Paleobiology Database's already very impressive classification and distribution data sets with evolutionary trees and character information.

 

I also would like to emphasize that the proposal will provide support for the continued existence of an international resource with wide community participation, which serves as the primary online repository for palaeontological data.  Our discipline produces key evidence that complements phylogenetic work on extant organisms, and large databases make such exchanges possible.  It is therefore in everyone's interest to foster this, one of the largest and most highly collaborative informatics efforts in palaeontology.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

David Harper

 

President, International Palaeontological Association

 

David A.T. Harper D.Sc.

Professor of Palaeontology

Acting Head

Geological Museum , University of Copenhagen

"ster Voldgade 5-7 , DK-1350 Copenhagen K , Denmark

Work 0045 35322371      Fax  0045 35322325      Mobile 0045 40598867

Appendix 10:  Roger L. Kaesler (1937-2007)

 

            Professor Roger Leroy Kaesler of Lawrence, KS passed away after a long bout with illness: he was 70 years old.  He is survived by his wife, Jerelyn Boudreaux Kaesler; three daughters—Jane Kaesler Stotts, of Topeka, Kansas, Andrea Kaesler, of Topeka, Kansas, and Susanne Broussard Grossoehme, of Baldwin City, Kansas; one son—Stephen Kaesler, of Wichita, Kansas; five grandchildren—Conner, Gabriella, Drake, Cade, and Emma; and a brother—Walter Jr., of Golden, Colorado.  Roger was born on June 22, 1937, and was raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma.  He moved with his family to Wichita, Kansas, his senior year in high school.  He attended the Colorado School of Mines and was in the ROTC program; he received a bachelor's in geological engineering in 1959.  Roger received a master's and doctorate in paleontology from the Department of Geology, University of Kansas (KU), in 1965. 

Roger joined the geology department at KU as a faculty member in 1965 and retired in 2006 as a professor after more than 40 years of service; he frequently taught the classes "Paleontology" and "Prehistoric Life".  He was also director of the KU Geology Field Camp in Ca"on City, Colorado.  Roger joined the Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center at KU in 1982 and retired as a senior curator.  In his role as professor and curator Roger educated, mentored, and inspired generations of undergraduate and graduate students at KU; several went on to hold faculty positions at various institutions of higher learning while others went on to work in various capacities including the oil industry.  Roger also served as an important mentor, friend, and colleague to many faculty members, not only at KU but throughout the United States and the world. 

Roger became the director of the Paleontological Institute in 1986; associated with his work as director he edited the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology.  The Treatise is an internationally recognized publication series that serves as a taxonomic encyclopedia of paleontology.  While editor of the Treatise 13 volumes were produced: among the highest publication rates the Treatise ever attained. 

Roger published hundreds of scientific papers including pioneering work on the multivariate statistical analysis of fossils.  In addition to the many volumes of the Treatise he edited, Roger co-edited two other books.  His research focused on the study of climate change, evolution, and paleoecology; he specialized in the study of fossil and modern ostracods. 

In recognition of his highly successful career Roger received many awards including being appointed a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of the Paleontological Society (U.S.A.), and of the Geological Society of America.  He also was awarded the Geological Society of America's Distinguished Service Award, the Haworth Distinguished Alumni Award from the Geology Department of the University of Kansas, and the Distinguished Alumni Award and van Diest Medal from the Colorado School of Mines.  In addition to his academic accomplishments, Roger held numerous important positions in various scholarly organizations including the Paleontological Society and he was Treasurer of the International Palaeontological Association for many years. 

Because of his scientific and professional accomplishments and his warm and humorous personality Roger will be missed by innumerable colleagues and friends.   

 Appendix 11: Roger L. Kaesler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Jeri,

 

We, the Executive Committee of the International Palaeontogical Association, are writing to express our sincerest condolences.   We were all personally very saddened to hear about Roger: first his protracted illness; and then when he passed away on August the 11^th.  Not only were we personally saddened to hear the news, but we also wanted to write to recognize what an important role Roger played with the International Palaeontological Association.  He had been involved with this organization literally for decades and he helped shepherd the Association through several important transitions, all while helping it grow in importance and stature.  The IPA would not be the institution it is today without Roger's profound insight and involvement as long time Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee.  We felt compelled to express the debt of gratitude that we owe to Roger, from us, who have enjoyed working alongside of him, and on behalf of all of the members of the Association, who have benefited from his extensive service.  Our thoughts and best wishes are with you during this difficult time.  Take care.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

David A. T. Harper, President of the IPA

Richard Aldridge, Past-President of the IPA

Rosalie Maddocks, Secretary General of the IPA