Laserfiche WebLink
-3- <br />THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS <br />The Late Cretaceous of Colorado marked a time of transition from <br />conditions of marine to conditions of continental deposition. Because <br />this change is reflected in the rocks of the study area, it was hoped <br />that fossils representing these paleoenvironments could be found. <br />The outcome of this study shows [he continued need for science <br />and industry to work together to insure the location of, and if pos- <br />sible, the securing of the paleontological resources of the United <br />States. If this study had not taken place the wealth of paleo- <br />botanical material in the Colowyo Mine property would not have been <br />realized and lost to study forever. This would have been a tragic <br />loss. With the recent renewal of interest in the fossil fuel reserves <br />of the United States it is vital to insure that valuable and irre- <br />placeable fossils not go unnoticed and unreported. Paleontology is <br />no longer limited to just the identification of new individuals but <br />is trying to interpret the ecology of the past. Hence it is important <br />that no major fossil locality go unstudied, for only then can we <br />approach a true understanding of past environments and ecology. <br /> <br />• <br />• <br />