Mesozoic fossil sustainability: synoptic case studies of resource management

Abstract

Fossils are a non-renewable natural resource that is not only important to science but also has immense value for education, tourism and commercial trade. Although the importance of sustainably managing exceptionally rich fossil localities is widely acknowledged, it is not universal and irreplaceable scientific information and socioeconomic benefits are being lost. This study provides an overview of the economic, social and environmental factors affecting 10 contrasting fossil localities in Germany, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and France that are significant for preserving the remains of Mesozoic vertebrates; these are amongst the most spectacular extinct animals and readily capture the public imagination. A discussion in the context of sustainable development is carried out. Non-extractive and scientific/educational (e.g. museums, geotourism) usage of fossil deposits are fully sustainable and benefit communities both economically and socially. Conversely, extractive uses (commercial collecting, quarrying) effect resource depletion but can be managed through scientific involvement, regulation and reinvestment of profits. Ultimately, implementation of an integrated approach embracing both profitable development and appropriate protection measures may ensure optimal usage of fossils for the future.

Keywords:

• Mesozoic vertebrate fossils
• palaeontology
• geoconservation
• geotourism
• education
• sustainable exploitation

Acknowledgements

We are deeply indebted to many people for interviews and provision of information: G. Bergér (Museum Bergér, Eichstätt); E. Cioppi (University of Florence Science Museums, Florence); J. M. Couderc (Deputy Mayor, Crayssac); J. Damerow (Hörgeräte Langer GmbH & Co., Eichstätt); R. Edmonds (Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Dorset); D. Elliott and B. Bassam (Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, Winton); H. Frey (Bäckerei Hutten Locher, Holzmaden); J. Fuchs (Café Fuchs, Eichstätt); C. Gray (Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock); R. Hauff (Urweltmuseum Hauff, Holzmaden); M. Kesibaş (quarry, Eichstätt); M. Kölbl-Ebert (Jura Museum, Eichstätt); K. Kromer (Steinbruch Kromer, Ohmden); F. Lau (Seifenblase, Eichstätt); P. Mayer (Gasthof-Hotel Ratskeller, Eichstätt); G. Mödl (Eichstätt Tourist Information, Eichstätt); M. Munt (The Natural History Museum, London); M. Mustafa (quarry, Eichstätt); K. Page (University of Plymouth, Plymouth); P. Powell (University of Oxford, Oxford); P. Pusey (Dinosaur Isle Museum, Sandown); M. Röper (Bürgermeister Müller Museum, Solnhofen); M. Schempp (Schempp GmbH Lebensmittelgeschäft, Holzmaden); R. Schoch (Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart); G. Schöpfel (Georg Schöpfel Natursteinwerk, Eichstätt); G. Thoma (Solnhofen); J. Titchener (Lyme Regis); B. Tucker (Dinosaur Provincial Park); F. Warmuth (Fossilienladen, Eichstätt); M. Winter (Gasthaus zum Lamm, Holzmaden); M. Witton (University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth) S. Davies (Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, Lyme Regis); D. Tucker (Lyme Regis Museum, Lyme Regis). We also thank the following people, who generously contributed photographs: G. Cuny (Statens Naturhistoriske Museum, Copenhagen); J. Gehling (South Australian Museum, Adelaide); J. Larwood and R. Tibbets (Natural England); S. Willman (Uppsala University, Uppsala); R. Edmonds (Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Dorset); D. Elliott (Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, Winton); M. Friedman (University of Oxford, Oxford); E. Maxwell (Universität Zürich, Zürich); R. Smith (Australian Museum, Sydney) and T. Rich (Melbourne Museum, Melbourne). David Martill (University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth) and two anonymous reviewers are thanked for their comments on the manuscript. This work is based on a Master in Sustainable Development thesis by RBS researched through the Palaeobiology Programme, Uppsala University. RBS conducted the site surveys; BPK supervised the study; RBS and BPK jointly wrote the paper; GEB provided critical discussion and editing.