Using the past to unlock the future

Date Posted: 30 March 2011

Palaeontology Week 2011 will provide members of the public with an opportunity to learn about an exciting new research project at the Naracoorte Caves National Park that will investigate biodiversity responses to climate change over the past 50,000 years.

Funded through the Commonwealth Caring for our Country initiative, the project will involve analysis of climate and biodiversity records preserved in three cave deposits at Naracoorte.

Led by Dr Liz Reed, from the Flinders University School of Biological Sciences, the project will identify patterns of climate change, how these affect the resilience of ecological communities through time and use these lessons to guide current management.

"Fossil records provide a unique window on patterns of climate and biodiversity change," Dr Reed said.

"The Naracoorte Caves world Heritage property contains a virtually continuous record of vertebrate life for the past half-million years."

Community members can attend family workshops for Palaeontology Week at the Naracoorte Caves on Saturday, April 2.

10.00am -11.00am - Fossil Workshops with palaeontologists. Limited to 10 per group and ages over 16 years only. ( No charge)
10.00am-11.30am - 'Fossil Kids' activity. Become a palaeontologist for the morning. Space is limited and bookings are essential. (No charge)
12.00am-1.00pm - Dr Liz Reed (Flinders University) will lead a tour of Victoria Fossil Cave (normal tour costs apply). A thought provoking presentation in Blanche Cave will follow from 2.00-3.00pm (No charge).

For enquiries or to make a booking call the Naracoorte Caves on 8762 2340 or visit www.naracoortecaves.sa.gov.au.