Workshop: Sino-US Collaborative Research On Critical Transitions In History Of Life Conveners Zhe-Xi Luo (PI), Douglas H. Erwin & Samual A. Bowring Intellectual Merit of Proposed Activity The history of earth and its diverse life are characterized by several critical transitions. These include the origins of metazoan animal phyla during the Neoproterozoic, the great biotic extinction and subsequent recovery through the Permo-Triassic transition, the Mesozoic origins of flower plants and living vertebrate lineages, and the radiation of mammals in the early Cenozoic. A critical issue in understanding these transitions is the relative importance of ecological processes and response to changes in physical environment. Over the past decade important discoveries and research advances for understanding these great evolutionary transitions have came from China and the United States, the two countries with remarkable scientific resources and complementary strength in geological and paleontological research. The PI and co-coveners propose to hold a workshop to bring together the US and Chinese scientists most active in these research areas, to exchange ideas and data, and to nurture a more effective network of scientists in geochronology, sedimentology, isotope and organic geochemistry, and paleontology in both countries. Following preliminary discussion among US and Chinese organizers in the summer of 2005, 10-12 American scientists will meet with Chinese counterparts from major national research institutes and universities in this proposed workshop on the Critical Transitions In History of Life in Washington, DC in the fall of 2005. This workshop will explore the potential for future collaborative studies on the major transitions in history of life and their associated environmental changes. Particular focus will be given to development of integrated research in geochronology, isotope and organic geochemistry, sedimentary geology and paleontology. Long-term plans for collaborative work and a reciprocal visit by US scientists to relevant institutions and research sites in China will be made. Broader Impact The proposed workshop has broad implications for the US and Chinese Earth Sciences community. The major transitions in the history of life are of interest not only to paleontologists, but also to geochronologists, isotope and organic geochemists, and sedimentologists, and are most likely to stimulate integrated multidisciplinary research between the US and Chinese scientists. It is expected that these activities will create a network of Chinese and American scientists with common goals so as to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information. The steering committee will strive to create opportunity for junior scientists and students to be involved in international collaboration.
