Research on Freshwater Invertebrate Fossils from the Florissant Formation as Evidence for Eocene-Oligocene Climate Change
Project ID: J8W07100009
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Washington
Fiscal Year: 2010
Initial Funding: $10,000
Total Funding: $10,000
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Physical
National Park: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Principal Investigator: Nesbitt, Elizabeth
Agreement Technical Representative: Meyer, Herbert
Abstract: Fossil clams, snails, and ostracods from the late Eocene Florissant Formation at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will be examined morphologically to evaluate their taxonomy. Shell microsamples will be analyzed for stable oxygen and carbon isotopes to obtain geochemical proxies of environmental conditions for Eocene Lake Florissant. Comparison with other fossil sites will refine our understanding about the ecological impact of the Eocene-Oligocene climatic transition on freshwater invertebrate communities. The project will support a graduate student who will complete the project as a thesis. The results of this project will be used to enhance the visitors experience at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument by providing scientifically credible information for interpretation of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument’s primary resource.
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