Preface

Preface

Mesozoic is one of the important eras in the earth history, witnessed the breakup of the Pangaea, the geo-/bio-events across the Triassic/Jurassic, the dinosaur extinctions, the global warming in the Cretaceous, and ending in the K-Pg boundary, as well as the appearance and evolution of dinosaurs, mammals and angiosperms. The study of Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems is very significant for exploring the origin and early evolution of birds, mammals and angiosperms, and also beneficial for searching the fossil fuels (oil, coal, etc.) in the world.The12thSymposiumonMesozoicTerrestrialEcosystems(MTE-12) was successfully held in Shenyang, China during August 16-20, 2015. About 160 participants from 18 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, UK, USA, and China attended this symposium. 4 plenary lectures, 89 oral presentations and 37 posters were shown in this symposium. The research areas covered the Mesozoic biodiversity, geological environment, origin and evolution of birds, dinosaurs, evolution of early angiosperms, paleoclimate and biological footprint, etc. MTE-12 provided an excellent opportunity for geoscientists in multidiscipline to discuss the Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems, followed by the field excursions to the western Liaoning, including Beipiao (the sites ofSinosauripteryx, and the earliest known angiospermArchaefructus) and Jianchang (the site of the oldest known feathered dinosaurAnchiornis), etc. For summary of the MTE-12 achievements, there are seven papers contributed by the participants and related scientists from the UK, Germany, Russia, India, Pakistan, France, USA and China, which are invited to publish in the special issue of the journalGlobalGeology. On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the MTE-12, I would express sincere thanks for all kind supports given by the authors and the edition department of theGlobalGeology, and hope these papers provide some fresh knowledge on the study of the Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems to the readers, and leave a good memory on the MTE-12.

SUNGe

Chairman of Organizing Committee of MTE-12

Editor in Chief ofGlobalGeology

The 12th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems Shenyang, China Aug.16-20,2015

Field excursion in the Jurassic site of Jianchang