259-2 Natural and Anthropogenic Processes Affecting Paleontological Resources in National Park Service Coastal Parks

Session: Science and Stewardship of U.S. National Park Service Paleontological Resources (Posters)

Poster Booth No.: 23

Presenting Author:

Nathaniel Valentine

Authors:

Valentine, Nathaniel¹, Bonde, Aubrey M.², McCoy, Hannah L.³, Leonard-Pingel, Jill⁴, Tweet, Justin S.⁵, Whitenack, Lisa B.⁶, Visaggi, Christy C.⁷, Santucci, Vincent L.⁸

(1) Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA, (2) Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, National Park Service, Boulder City, NV, USA, (3) The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA, (4) The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA, (5) Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service, St. Paul, MN, USA, (6) Allegheny College, Geology, Meadville, PA, USA, (7) Georgia State University, Geosciences, Atlanta, GA, USA, (8) National Park Service, Butler, PA, USA,

Abstract:

The mission of the National Park Service (NPS) is to preserve “unimpaired natural and cultural resources and values”, which include fossils or paleontological resources, for the “enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” Of the 433 NPS units, 40 coastal park units preserving paleontological resources were evaluated as they could benefit from a better understanding of baseline, and above baseline impacts on geological and paleontological resources. This study: 1) evaluated a number of natural processes and anthropogenic factors associated with NPS coastal park units, 2) considered park susceptibility to impacts from changing climate patterns, and 3) assessed the impacts and their effects on nonrenewable paleontological resources. Here, we synthesized information from NPS resource inventory reports, alongside current scientific literature, to identify processes most pertinent to the stability and condition of paleontological resources in NPS coastal units. Natural processes include sea level rise, tropical and extratropical cyclones, atmospheric rivers, tsunamis, barrier island migration, mass wasting and wave action and tides. Anthropogenic factors include construction impacts, beach renourishment, dredging and fishing, and vandalism or unauthorized public collection. We then examined the cumulative impacts of all these factors, in terms of enhanced erosional potential and degradational potential on fossil resources. Results have provided an understanding of the most at-risk NPS coastal units as well as the at-risk paleontological resources within them. Finally, we also provide recommendations for NPS managers and staff to implement to better mitigate impacts or prevent permanent loss of nonrenewable paleontological resources.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-8708

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