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As earth systems science expands, geobiology, the interdisciplinary subject between geosciences and life sciences, is developing rapidly in China and throughout the world. There have been special symposia on geobiology at such international meetings as the IGC and AGU. Large geobiological projects are being established and financed in the USA, UK, Germany and other countries. With the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, training classes, forums and major research projects in geobiology have been organized in China, and several books and special journal issues about geobiological research have been published in recent years. Geobiology aims to define and describe the systems that couple the biosphere and other Earth spheres and their mutual interactions. Coevolution between organisms and earth environments is the core of geobiology. Not only do earth environments influence the biosphere, but the biosphere influences the whole earth system. Such mutual effects have been going on since the very beginning of earth evolution.
Current research fields in geobiology include: 1. Origin and evolution of life, and organisms under extreme conditions; 2. Coevolution of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere; 3. Coupling processes of life and environments during critical periods of the geological history; 4. Paleontology and biostratigraphy; 5. Geomicrobiology and molecular paleontology; 6. Biogeochemistry and global geochemical cycles; 7. Astrobiology. Geobiology is the successor to paleontology but surpasses it by incorporating more theories and techniques from physics, chemistry, biology and other geosciences.
This international symposium to be held in 2010 aims to enhance international exchange in geobiological research and to promote interdisciplinary integration of geosciences and biosciences. We hope that such exchange and integration will accelerate the development of the whole of geobiology and earth systems science. |
