Geology and Paleontology: Basic Research Plan

Objective

In the "Precise Analysis of Rocks and Minerals in the Japanese Archipelago," the objective is to collect rocks and minerals from the Japanese Archipelago and its closely related surrounding areas, then conduct crystallographic and chemical analyses and age determination to clarify their scientific significance, accumulating data that contributes to discussions on the formation of the Japanese Archipelago.
In the "Phylogenetic Classification of Fossils, Paleobiogeography, and the Evolution of Ecosystems in Response to Global Environmental Changes," the objective is to collect Mesozoic and Cenozoic terrestrial plant and animal fossil assemblages from East Asia, focusing on Japan, then conduct research on the phylogenetic evolution and paleobiogeography of these fossils, as well as the phylogenetic evolution and aquatic adaptations of marine vertebrate fossils. We aim to elucidate the evolution of ecosystems and their interaction with global environmental changes by collecting fossils and extant species of invertebrates and protists, and analyzing them through stratigraphy, morphological observation, molecular biology, and geochemistry.

Background

1. 1.The mission of the Kahaku rests on three pillars: (1) Research, (2) Collection, and (3) Exhibitions and Education. While our research is primarily advanced through integrated and focused research projects, our basic research is centered on collection building. We aim to conduct research based on this principle and make the results of this work available for use not only in academic fields but also by the general public.
2. Geology and paleontology collections are highly diverse, and not all specimens can be acquired solely through the collecting efforts of individual researchers. In particular, it is almost impossible to collect rare minerals and large fossils through field surveys. Since universities and individual collectors often possess such valuable specimens, we must establish a system that facilitates their future transfer or donation to Kahaku's collection through collaborative research. Moreover, minerals and fossils are often discovered during civil engineering projects, so basic research must be flexible enough to respond to these unexpected opportunities.
3. Our integrated research during the previous medium-term plan, "Establishment and Changes of Biodiversity under a Changing Global Environment," yielded many findings related to global environmental changes, including the recovery of life following mass extinctions and evidence from coral fossils that the El Niño and La Niña phenomena existed as far back as the Pliocene period. The focused research project, "Research on Minerals Containing Rare Metals in the Japanese Archipelago and Their Application to Chronology," provided new insights into minerals containing rare metals in the Japanese Archipelago. It is desirable to more effectively incorporate these findings into our basic research.
4. Assessing completeness is hardly applicable to collections related to geology and paleontology. Particularly in terms of fossils, which cover all past life, it is impossible to predict what lies buried in sedimentary rock. As new discoveries are constantly being made, it is crucial to make every effort to collect as many of them as possible.

Research Plan

Common Policies

1. In the "Precise Analysis of Rocks and Minerals in the Japanese Archipelago," material collection and surveys are conducted in the Japanese Archipelago and surrounding areas according to categories such as rock bodies and geological zones.
2. In the "Phylogenetic Classification of Fossils, Paleobiogeography, and the Evolution of Ecosystems in Response to Global Environmental Change," material collection and surveys are conducted for each taxonomic group, including Mesozoic and Cenozoic terrestrial plant and animal fossil assemblages, marine vertebrate fossils, invertebrate fossils, and protist fossils.

Plan Overview for Individual Taxonomic Groups (Five-Year Medium-Term Plan)

Department of Geology and Paleontology: Collection Policy

1. Collect minerals, rocks, and fossils from around the world, with a primary focus on Japan and its surrounding regions.
2. Actively accept collections from external sources.
3. For minerals, actively collect specimens of new species and those from localities not currently represented in our collection. Currently, there are about 110 species of minerals native to Japan, and about 70% of their type specimens are housed in Kahaku’s collection.