5-9 Conservation of Dinosaur Egg Fossils in Xixia, Henan Province and Research on Global Paleoenvironment Evolution Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21 The project seeks to cooperate with international organizations to establish a natural park and an exhibition house to protect Xixia dinosaur egg relics, and to study the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment evidence for the sudden extinction of dinosaurs. The project is based on programme areas 14C of China's Agenda 21 and related to Chapter 15. 1 . Background The natural environment in which we live is the result of geological evolution. Researches on different geological areas for paleoclimate, paleoenvironment and paleoecology will help to provide an understanding of present environmental conditions. A knowledge of evolution in the past serves as an important reference for looking at current global environmental changes and provides a scientific basis for prediction of future trends. Dinosaur egg fossils have a high potential to reveal tbe evolutionary processes since the Mesozoic. They provide a record of climate and environment at that time, and also preserve traces of geological events since that time. Research on these could provide valuable information that may explain the natural processes of paleobiology and paleoenvironment and reveal reasons for the extinction of dinosaurs. Dinosaur eggs discovered in the Xixia basin are preserved over an area of more than 1000 Km2, and are buried in more than seven localities. In one particular place, the eggs were found in groups of more than 1000 pieces. Preliminary studies show that the dinosaur eggs are widely distributed and found in high concentrations within easy-reach and in a well preserved state. The paragenesis of country rocks where the eggs are buried indicates long goelogical times lasting from early to late Mesozoic and contained. The Xixia dinosaur eggs have attracted worldwide attention. However, the precious fossil eggs are now facing destruction from man. Some eggs have been illegally excavated and smuggled. Therefore urgent action to take appropriate management and practical measures for protecting these natural relics is crucial . Also other areas need attention, such as egg preservation paleogeography, paleovegetation, paleoclimate evolution in dinosaur age, life styles, reproduction features, migration patterns and extinction natures. 2. Objectives Long-term Objective Intensive studies on fossil eggs and related geologies to illustrate paleoclimate, paleoenvironment and paleoecology since Cretaceous to build a scientific foundation for research and education on evolution; Construction of Cretaceous dinosaur egg natural preservation and exhibition house to display dinosaur life styles, reproduction habits and paleo-existing environments. Immediate Objectives Determining the composition and classification of preserved dinosaur eggs. Study the envionment and the characteristics of paleoclimate and paleoenvironment and paleoecological evolution since late Cretaceous associated with global change. Study the relationship between earth cataclysm events resulting from climate change and leading to the extinction of dinosaurs. Establish a scientific basis for the preservation of natural heritage (relics) 3. Activties 3.1 Research on dinosaur eggs Study the composition, structure, fabric and classification of dinosaur eggs Research on distribution of dinosaur eggs - The lithofacies and paleogeography, sedimental environment of the stratum bearing dinosaur eggs; - Distribution of dinosaur eggs; - Research of dinosaur's living habits, styles and environment; Evolution of paieoclimate and paleoecology in Cretaceous; Significance of paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, paleoecology since late Cretaceous to the study of present global change. The action will be organized by SSTC, Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources and Henan local government. The duration of this activity will be 3 years. 3.2 Establishing "Exhibition house of dinosaur eggs, Xixia, Henan" Construction of modern exhibition house which will require advanced acoustic, light and electronic equipments and apparatus; Collection and installation of exhibiting materials; This action will be organized to carry out by Nanyang's government, Henan Province. The duration of this activity will be 3 years. 3.3 Construction of natural preservation area of Cretaceous dinosaur eggs in Xixia basin, Henan Province Plans and designs of natural preservation area and natural park reflecting the paleoecological features of the geological times; Construction of natural park by making use of local clean environment of creek water, lower mountains and hills, rich dinosaur egg fossils, plant pine, cypress, metasequoia, ginkgoales, cycas, and associated infrastructures to create an environment for existing dinosaurs and to promote tourism. The action will be organized by Nanyang city administration, Henan Province. The duration of this activity will be 3 yeas. 4. Inputs 4. 1 Chinese inputs Project management; experts invitatfon, transport; office facilities; equipments, material cost for scientific research; data collection and treatment; analysis cost; exploration cost; 4.2 1nternational grant international communications; experts; import prospective technology for dinosaur eggs; advanced acoustic, Iight and electronic equipments; apparatus; exhibition house and natural preservation area 4.3 budget It totally requires two million US dollars to complete this project , 1.2 million comes from the domestic, the rest are through international grants. Budget (in million US dollars) Activity Chinese Inputs External Grant Total 3.1 0.6 0.2 0.8 3.2 0.3 0.3 0.6 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 Total 1.2 0.8 2.0 5. Benefits The research results will provide information on dinosaurs, their coexisting animals and plants, and relevant evoIutionary processes.. It will help to provide answers to such important questions as paleoclimate, paleogeography, paleobiocoenosis of late Cretaceous. At the same time, the construction of the natural preservation park and exhibition house will have scientific value for understanding past history. It will improve our understanding of the impacts of current global climate change. Carrying out this project will be beneficial for improving the social and economic framework in Xixia, Xichuan and Nanyang by providing a special international tourism route with large number of scenic spots and historical heritage. Further research could lead to the discovery of complete dinosaur skeletons and other fossil relics, because dinosaurs and their eggs have been found together in earlier times in Shandong Province. A similar red stratum is also found in the basins of Xixia, Xichuan and Xiaguan in Henan province. 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