101 Paleontology (Posters) II - Biostratigraphy, Taphonomy, Ichnology

Monday, 1 November 2010
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall D

GeoCorps AMERICA PARTICIPANTS ENHANCE NATIONAL PARK RESOURCE MANAGEMENT THROUGH DISCOVERY, IDENTIFICATION, AND DOCUMENTATION OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

Paper number: 101-22
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

The discovery of a theropod print cast in 2005, the first evidence of dinosaurs in Denali National Park and Preserve, launched a park-wide paleontological inventory effort. Over the course of 5 years, GeoCorps America interns have helped it grow from concept to an established project. GeoCorps participants have since discovered additional dinosaur prints and trackways, invertebrate fossils, an abundance of fossilized plant material, and other traces and burrows within the Late Cretaceous Lower Cantwell Formation. Interns work independently to record locations, lithology, existing and potential human disturbance, natural fragility, and quality of fossil sites. Detailed documentation of specimens includes taking notes, photographs, and GPS coordinates, which are later entered into a geologic database. Using Access, ArcMap, and Google Earth, interns create interactive maps with rich attributes and geotagged photos linked to fossil localities. Interns also aid in professional and graduate research being undertaken in the park, providing researchers with assistance and the GeoCorps interns with valuable field experience.

A database was created in 2010 to incorporate and organize previous paleontological work. The database enables future interns, researchers, and park managers to identify existing resources and plan projects in an easy-to-use, searchable format. Using standardized attributes, scientists can use the database to search for specific fossil types and quality; and managers can search for sensitive paleontological resources. The database currently includes over 200 fossil sites found throughout the park.

The GeoCorps America program is a partnership between the National Park Service and Geological Society of America which places temporary geoscientists in parks through a cooperative internship program. The success of this program is evidenced through the accomplishments of this project and others like it occurring in Denali over the past 10 years. GeoCorps interns also collaborate with existing paleontological education by assisting with geologic field trips for teachers and students, creating web content for adults and children, and producing paleontology fact sheets for park visitors.