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 厂别辫煤濒惫别诲补 (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鈥檚 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 厂别辫煤濒惫别诲补

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鈥檚 last mass extinction event 66 million years ago. And we can鈥檛 wait to share our amazing fossil discoveries with the world," said Lyson.

At CU 麻豆影院, Julio 厂别辫煤濒惫别诲补 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. 鈥淭his 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,鈥� said 厂别辫煤濒惫别诲补.  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, 麻豆影院, University of Oregon, and University of Wyoming. The project will span from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2028. 

See also:

• • The INSTAAR news story you are reading is based on this DMNS press release. 
• • A Q&A by collaborator Kendra Chritz (Univ of British Columbia) explains how clues may lie in the fossilized teeth of mammals
• • 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)

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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: 鈥�is there animal poop in there?鈥� Most likely. 鈥淐ool鈥� 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 麻豆影院, 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 厂别辫煤濒惫别诲补 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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