Comprehensive value of paleontological fossils
Fossils provide valuable physical evidence for studying the living habits, reproduction methods and ecological environment of animals and plants at that time at home and abroad. Fossils are of inestimable value for studying paleogeography, paleoclimate, earth evolution and biological evolution in geological period. Fossils provide rare entities for exploring a large number of death and extinction events on earth; Some special fossils with special shapes have high aesthetic appreciation value and collection value by themselves or after processing. Therefore, in a certain sense, they are also an important geological tourism resource and tourism commodity resource. First, the scientific value and characteristics of paleontological fossils
There are many kinds of paleontological fossils found in Chaoyang land, which are rare in the world. They were named "Jehol biota" by scientists. Wang Yuanqing, deputy director of the Institute of vertebrate paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "The Jehol biota represents the whole process of the Mesozoic biological replacement of the earth and is also the cradle of the Cenozoic ecosystem." Since 1993, scientists have discovered dinosaur fossils with hair in Chaoyang. In addition to the famous sauropods, Beipiaolong and sauropods, the Jehol biota also includes the fossils of more than 20 important biological categories, such as early mammals, frogs, lizards and the earliest angiosperms, among which early birds, hairy dinosaurs, primitive mammals and early angiosperms made great discoveries in the 20th century. Some people have commented that not only scientists are particularly concerned, but collectors and all walks of life are interested in fossils. Academic circles compare Chaoyang with Solohofen, Germany, who discovered archaeopteryx fossils. Wang Yuanqing said: "The Jehol biota fossils surpass the Sorohofen biota in species, quantity and exquisite preservation." China's paleontologists published 14 papers in the world's authoritative scientific journals Nature and Science in only five years, which is unique in China's natural science community. Among the 32 basic natural science papers published by Chinese Academy of Sciences 1999, reports on sunrise fossils account for one third. Experts attending the 5th World Congress on Palaeontology and Evolution and the Jehol Biota Seminar believe that a series of important discoveries made by Chinese scientists in recent years show that China is in a leading position in the field of basic paleontology. The research on the Jehol biota in Chaoyang was included in the national key basic research project and received nearly 20 million yuan of funding. This is also the largest grant ever received in the basic research field of paleontology. Researcher Wang Yuanqing, who is in charge of the Jehol biota research, said: "Our ongoing research is divided into eight sub-topics, involving the origin, radiation, extinction and recovery of organisms in major geological and historical periods." It can be seen that the paleontological fossils owned by Chaoyang have great scientific value and popularization.
The fossils of paleontology in Chaoyang city are unparalleled in the world. First of all, it is extensive. Except for a few young mountains, Chaoyang is full of fossils. In other words, Chaoyang is full of treasures. Secondly, it is non-renewable. Most of these biological fossils were formed 654.38+25 million years ago. Unique geographical and geological conditions make it non-renewable. Third, it is worldwide. Its existence, discovery, protection and utilization are not the business of a region or a country, but belong to the whole world. Fourth, humanity. Fossils contain information about human living environment and ancestors. It is closely related to human beings.
Second, the value and characteristics of paleontological fossils are used by us.
In Beijing, comrades in Chaoyang asked Ms. Zhang Miman, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences: What do you think of the development and utilization of Chaoyang paleontological fossils? The respected female scientist said calmly and firmly: I don't agree to use the word "exploitation" to describe paleontological fossils. However, she is in favor of rational use of paleontological fossils. Paleontological fossils can really be used by me.
1, huge economic value
As we all know, Jurassic Park made a fortune by expressing paleontology and its living environment in the most modern way. Coincidentally, the first issue of Fossil magazine, a well-known publication of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said in 2000: "When a fossil named' Little Liaoxi Bird' collected by Hao Xiurong was exhibited by the Chinese Academy of Sciences abroad, someone once wanted to invest 200 million US dollars to collect it." According to Professor Dong Zhiming of Chinese Academy of Sciences, it is internationally stipulated that smuggled goods cannot be studied and purchased. If a bird fossil can be smuggled abroad, it can be sold for 1000 dollars, and it can be sold for 50,000 dollars with the approval of the customs. This is a conservative estimate. 1998 A reporter who published an article in Fossil magazine estimated that the value of Confucius bird had risen to the point of "a bird building". There is also an economic value. At the end of May and the beginning of June, 2000, Chinese and foreign scientists attending the 5th World Congress of Ancient Birds went to Chaoyang to see the strata, and their accommodation and meals were paid for by themselves. Chaoyang people received the first large amount of foreign exchange attracted by paleontological fossils. Some people put forward the concept of "fossil economy", thinking that fossils have entered the market and the situation is bound to move towards the market. Today, with the development of history, fossils have a new function, that is, they are bought and sold as a kind of strange stone. So the era of fossil economy is inevitable. (See "Fossil" magazine, No.2, 2000) At present, the number of people engaged in the fossil industry in Chaoyang City has not been counted, and many people have made a fortune from fossils (excluding those who smuggled fossils). As long as you go out, you will not only spread the culture, but also earn money and do business abroad. "
2. Great scientific value
Paleontological fossils are an important basis for identifying and comparing strata and understanding the history of the earth. They are precious materials for studying the origin, development history and laws of animals and human beings, and are also physical materials for the masses to learn and understand the history and laws of nature and human beings and establish a materialistic world outlook. Rich and colorful fossils prove that all kinds of life on earth were not created by any god, but formed after long-term evolution after the emergence of single-celled life. Not only that, it can also show us a prehistoric biological history, give people knowledge and appreciate the beautiful scenery of nature. Xu Guanhua, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, said: The Jehol biota in western Liaoning (Chaoyang) has both geographical advantages and scientific and technological advantages, and it is a promising field.
3. Scarce tourism resources
Fossils are intellectual, cultural, ornamental and interesting, and the origin of fossils is different, so fossils and fossil origin are tourism resources. Fossils and fossil producing areas can form scenic spots independently, or they can be part of other scenic spots. China Encyclopedia of Tourism and China Dictionary of Scenic Spots list 94 fossil tourist attractions, some of which are places of origin, some are sites, some are museums, some are nature reserves, and Chaoyang will be the 95th one. Most people have a strong desire for knowledge and a demand for exploring mysteries, and fossil sites can meet this requirement to varying degrees.
Some wishes and requirements, so fossils and fossil producing areas are attractive to tourists.