Title of article :
Beyond Eocene and Oligocene Epochs: The Causses du Quercy Geopark and the Grande Coupure
Author/Authors :
Pelissié, Thierry UNESCO Global Geopark Causses du Quercy - Labastide-Murat - Coeur de Causses, France , Orliac, Maëva J Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution - UMR 5554 - Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD-EPHE – CC64, Place Eugène Bataillon, France , Antoine, Pierre-Olivier Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution - UMR 5554 - Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD-EPHE – CC64, Place Eugène Bataillon, France , Biot, Vincent UNESCO Global Geopark Causses du Quercy - Labastide-Murat - Coeur de Causses, France , Escarguel, Gilles Laboratoire d’Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés - UMR CNRS 5023 LEHNA - Université Claude Bernard Lyon, France
Abstract :
The “phosphatières du Quercy” are karstic fillings exploited for phosphate at the
end of the 19th century. They yield countless continental fossils through some 30
million years, ranging from late early Eocene to early Miocene. This exceptional
paleontological series documents the ‘Grande Coupure’, a major biogeographical
event involving a profound renewal of vertebrate faunas, recorded in Eurasia
during the Eocene–Oligocene transition. This exceptional fossil record is key to
understanding the impact of biotic and abiotic factors during this turbulent time
of global change. The presence of natural mummies and the 3D preservation of
numerous vertebrate skulls, as well as remains of arthropods and plants, are all
attractive means to raise public awareness and promote an internationally unique
geoheritage.
Keywords :
Paleogene , Eocene–Oligocene Transition , Palaeokarst , Phosphatières , Konzentrat-Lagerstätte , Climate change , Biodiversity , Heritage
Journal title :
Geoconservation Research
