The First International Symposium of theInternational Geoscience Programme Project 608
Cretaceous ecosystems and their responses to paleoenvironmental changes
in Asia and the Western PacificDecember 20-27, 2013, India

First Circular
The Cretaceous is one of the greenhouse periods in the Earth’s history, well known forelevated atmospheric CO2 levels and much higher global sea level than what exists today.
Knowledge of past global warming events and their effects on the ecosystem help us better
understand the consequences of present and future climatic changes. Paleobiodiversity,
paleobiogeography, palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic aspects with their many
ramifications are important to understand the Cretaceous Period in its totality.
This project aims to understand the Cretaceous ecosystems on the basis of geologicalrecords of Asia and the Western Pacific region. A diversified marine and terrestrial fossil
record of this region will provide interesting insights into faunal and floral diversity, theirturnover, patterns of extinction, and subsequent recoveries. Geochemical studies on theCretaceous marine sediments of Western Pacific and Eastern Tethys can provide useful
information on temperature fluctuations, latitudinal temperature gradients, Oceanic Anoxic
Events (OAEs), Oceanic Red Beds (ORBs), ocean acidification etc.
The first international symposium of IGCP 608 is scheduled to be held in India inDecember, 2013. The Symposium will provide a platform to workers of diverse disciplinesand geographical areas to present their results and ideas, and to discuss problems ofCretaceous terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
A post Symposium field excursion to the Cretaceous non-marine to shallow-marine
sequences distributed in the central and western peninsular India is proposed. These
sequences consist of the Bagh Beds with a prolific marine fauna and the overlying dinosaurbearing Lameta Formation.
IGCP Project Leaders
Professor Hisao Ando (Japan)
Professor Xiaoqiao Wan (China)
Professor Daekyo Cheong (Korea)
Professor Sunil Bajpai (India)

Venue and Tentative Programme
The IGCP 608 technical sessions will be held at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany,
Lucknow, India, followed by a post symposium field excursion to central and western
peninsular India.
December 19, 2013

:Arrival of participants

December 20-22, 2013:

Scientific sessions of the symposium; business meeting

December 23-27, 2013:

Post symposium field excursion
Abstract Submission

Participants who wish to make oral/poster presentation are requested to submit an abstract of
their paper. The deadline for abstract submission is October 15, 2013.
Support Programme
According to annual funding received from UNESCO/IUGS for IGCP 608, financial support
may be considered to cover registration and/or accommodation charges for a limited numberof participants from developing countries on a first come first serve basis. The consideration
shall be subject to: 1. Submission and acceptance of abstract before the deadline. 2.
Participation in the symposium by the applicant. Financial support does not include
international/domestic travel and excursion fee. For financial support please contact Professor
Sunil Bajpai (directorbsip@gmail.com; sunilbajpai2001@yahoo.com)

FIRST CIRCULARFirst Symposium of theInternational Geoscience Programme (IGCP 608):
Asia Pacific Cretaceous Ecosystems
REGISTRATION FORM
Please type or write in block letters
Family name: ______________ First and middle name(s): _________ Gender:__M ___ FTitle/Position: ___________________________________ Nationality: ______________
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City: __________________________ Post code: ______________________________Country: ________________________________________________________________
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Title of the presentation________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mode of Presentation:

Oral

PosterPlease fax or e-mail the filled-in registration form by June 30, 2013 to :Professor Sunil Bajpai
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany
53 University Road, Lucknow - 226007, India.
Tel: +91- 0522 -2740008, 2740011, 2740413, 2740399
Fax: +91-0522 -2740485, 2740098
E-mail: directorbsip@gmail.com; sunilbajpai2001@yahoo.com