Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #128:Major events in early vertebrate history recorded in exceptional fossil deposits from northern Canada  (EVENC: Early Vertebrate Evolution in Northern Canada)

Outline
Two exceptional fossil deposits in northern Canada are the focus of this proposal. One, on the northern coast of Cornwallis Island, is of Early Silurian age and records a major transition of vertebrate fauna, including the origination of at least 14 taxa, many of them represented by complete skeletons, within a few metres of stratigraphic section. The other is of Early Devonian age in the Mackenzie Mountains; here more than 60 vertebrate species are preserved as articulated skeletons. An international team of scientists representing Canada, Estonia, and Sweden will return to these two exceptional deposits to collect detailed, bed-by-bed samples for study of microfossils and isotopes, to document their precise age and correlate them with known global changes, and to recover specimens of the crucial articulated skeletons of the vertebrates, for study of their anatomy and phylogenetic relationships. The project leaders from Canada and Estonia were co-leaders of Project 406 (from 1996 until 2000) of the International Geological Correlation Program. The Swedish team member is an expert on early vertebrate fossils from Greenland; the fourth team member is an expert on early jawed vertebrates from northern fossil deposits. These two fossil deposits represent outstanding opportunities for scientific study of some of the major transitions in vertebrate history. The Cornwallis Island deposit includes numerous examples of jaw-less vertebrates and several examples of vertebrates with features of at least one group of jawed vertebrates. The Mackenzie Mountains deposit contains important fossils recording the early history of the teleostomes (the group that includes bony fishes and tetrapods) as well as fossils demonstrating features characteristic of the cartilaginous fishes (sharks and their relatives). Both deposits and their surrounding landscapes are potentially important areas of Canadian and world heritage significance, both for their scientific importance and for their natural beauty. Two other related study areas near the Cornwallis Island site (south coast of Baillie-Hamilton Island, east coast of Cornwallis Island at Read Bay) will also be sampled if funds and logistics permit. Access to both sites requires logistical support in the form of aircraft (Cornwallis Island – Twin Otter fixed-wing aircraft; Mackenzie Mountains – helicopter). The Cornwallis Island site is suitable for staging from the Polar Continental Shelf facility in Resolute. The Mackenzie Mountains site further involves high-altitude camping on an exposed mountain saddle; the nearest staging area is a road 40 minutes flying time from the site. Teams of 6-8 researchers (including graduate students) will visit each site for two to four weeks, collecting samples and specimens for later study in the laboratory. Samples will be divided and taken to individual laboratories for specialist study before being returned to Canada. Results will be announced at international meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals. Accounts of the work will be made available to print and electronic media, and fossil specimens will be included in on-line databases.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 2 – Change in the polar regions: the proposed study focuses on two examples of rapid change in fauna in the geologic history of the north. These can help to place the human-induced biotic crisis in context. Theme 3 – Polar-global linkages and interaction: the two fossil deposits record major events that have counterparts in other regions of the globe at the same time; greater understanding of the targeted examples will improve understanding of global events. Theme 4 – Investigating new frontiers: the proposed studies will help us to understand 1) the least-understood major event of vertebrate evolution: the origin and radiation of vertebrates with jaws; 2) processes related to faunal recovery from major extinction events. Theme 5 – The polar regions as vantage points: the Mackenzie Mountains and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are key regions for understanding earth history in the Silurian and Devonian thanks to their excellent exposures of fossil-bearing rocks, their unique plate-tectonic history, and their faunal connections with North American and Eurasian fossil faunas of similar age.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Leader: Dr. Mark V. H. Wilson, University of Alberta, Canada; was leader of IGCP 406 (Circum-Arctic Palaeozoic Vertebrates); expert on early vertebrates. Co-Leader: Dr. Tiiu Märss, Tallinn Technical University, Estonia; was co-leader of IGCP 406); experience in geology of northern Russia and Severnaya Zemlya; expert on biostratigraphy and jawless vertebrates of the Silurian and Devonian. Dr. Henning Blom, Uppsala University, Sweden; IGCP 406 member; expert on early jawless vertebrates and bony fishes especially those from deposits in northern and eastern Greenland. Dr. Gavin Hanke, Royal British Columbia Provincial Museum, Canada; IGCP 406 member; expert on early jawed vertebrates especially those from deposits in the Mackenzie Mountains.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
1. Thorsteinsson Quarry, Cape Phillips, northeastern coast of Cornwallis Island. Access by fixed-wing aircraft (Twin Otter) from PCSP base at Resolute. 2. MOTH locality, Mackenzie Mountains, 62º 32.4’N, 127º 43.5’W. Access by chartered helicopter from nearest base at Watson Lake; staging point at north end of Hyland River Road (near Tungsten, NWT). 3. (if possible): south coast of Baillie-Hamilton Island. Access by fixed-wing aircraft (Twin Otter) from PCSP base at Resolute. 4. (if possible): east coast of Cornwallis Island at Read Bay. Access by fixed-wing aircraft (Twin Otter) from PCSP base at Resolute.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/07 – 08/07      07/08 – 08/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Cornwallis Island: fixed-wing transport aircraft; Arctic quality frame tent for kitchen; wind-resistant sleeping tents; telecommunications equipment e.g., shortwave radio/satellite phone. This equipment can be shared with other projects especially if it is provided through Polar Continental Shelf. Mackenzie Mountains: helicopter aircraft; mountain quality wind/snow resistant sleeping tents; telecommunications equipment e.g., shortwave radio/satellite phone. Both projects: storage cabinets for fossil and rock samples; computer and light microscope equipment for study of samples. Access to SEM and geochemical laboratories for detailed analysis of samples. Funds for shipping selected specimens to international institutions for preliminary study, and for their return to Canada, will be required.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Some equipment such as tents, computers, and microscopes can be used in future years and/or for other projects. Fossil collections will be permanently curated in public institutions and available for scientific research, for teaching of students, and for interpretive museum displays in perpetuity.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Logistical support from Polar Continental Shelf or similar agency is needed in the high Arctic; balance of support from University of Alberta, research grants, and through chartering private operators (e.g., helicopter company).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Ecosystems Terrestrial Processes

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
yes
Yes but building on earlier progress achieved under Project 406 (1996-2000) of the International Geological Correlation Program (UNESCO and IUGS). The project also extends earlier research by all four scientists into the transition from jawless vertebrates to vertebrates with jaws.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Project leader will be Dr. Mark Wilson; co-leader will be Dr. Tiiu Märss. Each of the two field components will be coordinated by the two leaders with the prime assistance of Dr. Henning Blom (Cornwallis Island project) and Dr. Gavin Hanke (Mackenzie Mountains project). A team of 6-8, including graduate students, will carry out each field study. In the field, Dr. Wilson will be in charge of logistics and major decisions, Dr. Märss will be in charge of detailed stratigraphic sampling, Dr. Blom will be in charge of data recording and communication, and Dr. Hanke will be in charge of sample/specimen care, including packing and shipping. Samples will be divided according to primary research interests for preliminary study; selected samples will be shipped to each participant’s laboratory, then returned to Canada for permanent storage in a museum environment.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We expect to announce our results at major conferences and to publish in refereed journals. In addition, we will document the expeditions by photo, sound, and video so that their activities and results can be incorporated into news releases and magazine/newsletter articles. Fossil specimens will be made available for museum displays and in on-line (virtual-museum) databases.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Basic data and images of fossil specimens will be made available via virtual-museum web sites such as the University of Alberta Museums site, where fossil vertebrate collections are on-line currently. Results about phylogenetic relationships of vertebrates will be submitted to on-line databases such as the Tree of Life Project and the (new) Deep Finnet web resource.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National agencies including NSERC via discovery grants, northern supplements, etc. Anticipated needs for field work $40,000 per year per field area. International agencies: National Geographic Society is an example of an agency that might help fund the field aspect of the proposed projects in amounts up to USD $20,000 per year.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  Mark Wilson
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2E9
Canada

Tel: 780-492-5408
Mobile:
Fax: 780-492-9234
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information