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Ecosystems after the asteroid

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 17:16:00 +0000

Ecosystems after the asteroid Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/21/2023 - 11:16

A team of paleontologists explore the fossil-rich Corral Bluffs near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo: Rick Wicker (DMNS)

A new research grant will fund an investigation of the ecological and environmental changes that occurred on land after the asteroid impact and mass extinction event at the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary. Led by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS), the research will include biogeochemist and paleoclimatologist Julio ��ú��岹 (INSTAAR Fellow and GEOL Associate Professor) as well as scientists from five other collaborating institutions. The grant is from the National Science Foundation's Frontier Research in Earth Sciences program.

During the K/Pg mass extinction, which occurred 66 million years ago, roughly 75% of all species on Earth went extinct, notably including all non-avian dinosaurs. This event completely changed the trajectory of the evolutionary tree of life, leading ultimately to the formation of today’s extraordinary mammal diversity. The aftermath of the K/Pg mass extinction represents a natural laboratory in which ecosystem reorganization can be studied in high resolution.

This award will allow my research team (Organic Geochemistry Lab) to trace how temperature, precipitation, and forest fires responded to the catastrophic environmental events caused by the asteroid impact, and how they influenced the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems in the aftermath of this event.
--- Julio ��ú��岹

The collaborative research grant will fund important work in paleontology across the Rocky Mountain region in the western United States. This includes extensive fieldwork to study ancient life, as well as various chemical analyses. The goal is to understand how and when ecosystems recovered after a major extinction event. Not only will this project help researchers understand the evolution of many modern plants and animals but will also provide unique insights into the current biodiversity crisis facing the planet, as ancient extinctions can teach about the extinctions happening today.

This ambitious five-year research project has assembled a large, multidisciplinary team of scientists and is being led by DMNS Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Tyler Lyson. "We are tremendously honored and excited about the opportunities this grant offers our team. Over the next 5 years, we are looking forward to building some amazing datasets to expand our knowledge of how and when life on land rebounded after Earth’s last mass extinction event 66 million years ago. And we can’t wait to share our amazing fossil discoveries with the world," said Lyson.

At CU �鶹ӰԺ, Julio ��ú��岹 and a graduate student will investigate a series of molecular fossils (biomarkers) preserved in ancient soils that can record past changes in climate and environmental conditions. “This award will allow my research team (Organic Geochemistry Lab) to trace how temperature, precipitation, and forest fires responded to the catastrophic environmental events caused by the asteroid impact, and how they influenced the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems in the aftermath of this event,” said ��ú��岹. Along with two ongoing NSF awards, his team is now uniquely positioned to address some long-standing questions about the timing of environmental and biotic responses to extreme and abrupt climate change in both terrestrial and marine realms.

The scientists across the seven institutions have decades of cumulative experience in their various field areas and the skill sets necessary to address these questions. Furthermore, the team will incorporate their findings in classrooms, museum exhibits and outreach at their home institutions to reach audiences of multiple ages and backgrounds. "We are committed to sharing our discoveries with the world and inspiring people to connect with the natural wonders that surround us," said George Sparks, president and CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. "This research project will allow us to engage with a global audience, fostering meaningful connections with science, nature and our planet's history."

Collaborating institutions include Brooklyn College - City University of New York, College of Charleston, Colorado College, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, University of British Columbia, �鶹ӰԺ, University of Oregon, and University of Wyoming. The project will span from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2028.

See also:

Denver Museum Of Nature & Science receives its largest research grant ever from the National Science Foundation
- The INSTAAR news story you are reading is based on this DMNS press release.
You’re reading this because an asteroid killed the dinosaurs, allowing mammals to dominate the Earth. But why?
- A Q&A by collaborator Kendra Chritz (Univ of British Columbia) explains how clues may lie in the fossilized teeth of mammals
Collaborative Research: How did terrestrial ecosystems rebuild following the Cretaceous/Paleogene Mass Extinction?
- The award's page on the National Science Foundation website includes a project abstract.

Hundreds of complete fossil animals have been found at Corral Bluffs near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Discoveries include the four mammal skulls above that tell the story of how and when mammals increased in body size. Photo: Frank Verock (Howard Hughes Medical Institute).

Exquisitely preserved fossil plants like this fern have been recovered from Corral Bluffs near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo: Frank Verock (Howard Hughes Medical Institute).

Panoramic view of Corral Bluffs near Colorado Springs, Colorado. This area has produced a wealth of fossil plants and animals that tell the story of how life recovered after the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Photo: Rick Wicker (DMNS)

Julio ��ú��岹 (INSTAAR Fellow and GEOL Associate Professor) is part of a team of scientists from seven collaborating institutions who were awarded a new research grant that will fund an investigation of the ecological and environmental changes that occurred on land after the asteroid impact and mass extinction event at the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary.

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The secret stories of ocean microbes (Research & Innovation Community Talk on YouTube)

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 22:47:02 +0000

The secret stories of ocean microbes (Research & Innovation Community Talk on YouTube) Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/23/2023 - 15:47

As part of CU �鶹ӰԺ's annual Research & Innovation Week (October 17–21, 2022), the 2022 Faculty Fellows gave short TED-style talks in the Gordon Gamm Theater at the Dairy Arts Center in �鶹ӰԺ. In this talk, Dr. Julio ��ú��岹 describes the microbes that fill our oceans, the impact of climate change on the ecosystems that depend on those microbes, and his research group’s work to better understand how we can all contribute to protecting our oceans and our planet.

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Angevine Middle School students visit INSTAAR for hands-on science

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Angevine Middle School students visit INSTAAR for hands-on science Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/21/2022 - 00:00

Shelly Sommer

200 students from Angevine Middle School criss-crossed INSTAAR space this morning, engaging in hands-on science activities. Students touched and smelled permafrost, looked at algae through microscopes, tested water pollution in local streams, investigated soil texture, learned about chickadees, and checked out weather and climate measurements in fast-paced, hands-on activities.

8th graders touching, smelling, and learning about permafrost. Most common question: “is there animal poop in there?” Most likely. “Cool” they said.

The students participated in the INSTAAR Open House, a cherished tradition of INSTAAR that brings middle school students into our labs and workspaces. The event was the first after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID pandemic.

After 19 years of successful collaboration with Southern Hills Middle School in �鶹ӰԺ, INSTAAR is now partnering with Angevine Middle School in Lafayette for the Open House. More than half of the student population of Angevine are from traditionally marginalized backgrounds, including many from low-income families. Angevine has a focus on college and career readiness for their students, especially those traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

Julio ��ú��岹 and Wendy Roth led an organizing committee to plan and carry out the day. Dozens of faculty, staff, and graduate students united to lead the activities and escort small groups of students from place to place. After the students returned to school, the INSTAAR team gathered for tacos and burritos, tired but exhilarated.

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2022 Research & Innovation Office Faculty Fellows cohort unveiled (RIO)

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

2022 Research & Innovation Office Faculty Fellows cohort unveiled (RIO) Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 11/19/2021 - 00:00

Biogeochemist Julio ��ú��岹 (INSTAAR & GEOL) is one 17 CU �鶹ӰԺ faculty members selected by the Research and Innovation Office as their 2022 RIO Faculty Fellows cohort. The program supports faculty in achieving their research/innovation goals and promotes collaboration, all through tailored training, experiential learning and leadership development opportunities. ��ú��岹 and his cohort kick off 2022 with an intensive three-day retreat in January, followed by several more focused retreats and a variety of informal networking activities.

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Earth scientist to use NSF award to dive deep into oceanic change (Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine)

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Earth scientist to use NSF award to dive deep into oceanic change (Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine) Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/02/2021 - 00:00

The health of the ocean is fundamental to life on the planet—yet much remains unknown about how the ocean and marine life will cope with a rapidly changing climate. An award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will help Julio ��ú��岹 start solving that crucial puzzle.

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Ancient plant DNA and pollen found under Baffin Island lake show a greener Arctic (ArcticToday)

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Ancient plant DNA and pollen found under Baffin Island lake show a greener Arctic (ArcticToday) Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/08/2021 - 00:00

The snowy landscape of the Arctic was greener more than 100,000 years ago and could get there again as the climate warms and plants migrate further north, new research suggests. Plant DNA taken from soil 10 meters below a lake near Clyde River shows dwarf birch shrubs used to grow up to the northernmost point of Baffin Island, according to research led by Sarah Crump, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The samples, more than 100,000 years old, were found in soil and were more intact than samples from permafrost, suggesting they may have remained unfrozen.

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Arctic was once lush and green, could be again, new research shows (CU �鶹ӰԺ Today)

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Arctic was once lush and green, could be again, new research shows (CU �鶹ӰԺ Today) Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/17/2021 - 00:00

Imagine not a white, but a green Arctic, with woody shrubs as far north as the Canadian coast of the Arctic Ocean. This is what the northernmost region of North America looked like about 125,000 years ago, during the last interglacial period, finds new research from CU �鶹ӰԺ led by Sarah Crump. Researchers analyzed plant DNA more than 100,000 years old retrieved from lake sediment in the Arctic and found evidence of a past ecosystem. As the Arctic warms much faster than everywhere else on the planet in response to climate change, the findings, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may not only be a glimpse of the past but a snapshot of our potential future.

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Someday, even wet forests could burn due to climate change (CU �鶹ӰԺ Today)

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Someday, even wet forests could burn due to climate change (CU �鶹ӰԺ Today) Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/30/2020 - 00:00

Millions of years ago, fire swept across the planet, fueled by an oxygen-rich atmosphere in which even wet forests burned, according to new research by new PhD graduate F. Garrett Boudinot and Julio ��ú��岹. The study, published today in Nature Geoscience, provides geochemical evidence showing that forest fires expanded dramatically, potentially burning up to 30 or 40 percent of global forests during a 100,000 year interval more than 90 million years ago. While today's fires are exacerbated by dry conditions, they found that forest fires during this period increased even in wet regions due to changes in global climate.

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Ecosystems after the asteroid

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The secret stories of ocean microbes (Research & Innovation Community Talk on YouTube)

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Angevine Middle School students visit INSTAAR for hands-on science

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2022 Research & Innovation Office Faculty Fellows cohort unveiled (RIO)

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Earth scientist to use NSF award to dive deep into oceanic change (Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine)

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Ancient plant DNA and pollen found under Baffin Island lake show a greener Arctic (ArcticToday)

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Arctic was once lush and green, could be again, new research shows (CU �鶹ӰԺ Today)

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Someday, even wet forests could burn due to climate change (CU �鶹ӰԺ Today)

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