A revised stratigraphical scheme based on numerous measured sections and extensive mapping is proposed for the Carboniferous and Permian sequences of Spitsbergen and Bj0rn0ya, the important Arctic archipelago, in order to provide an up-to-date framework for future work there. New data on the fusulinid zones is summarized and the age of the sequence discussed. A brief stratigraphical interpretation with four maps showing outcrops, thicknesses, active faults, and main lithological boundaries is given and recent published and unpublished work is reviewed.

Summary The Ebbadalen Formation (Carboniferous) of Spitsbergen lies in an elongated basin on the downthrown side of the Billefjorden Fault Zone. Apart from the lower part of the formation, where all the beds are clastic, evaporites dominate in the basin and separate red beds, adjacent to the fault-belt, from marine carbonates. Several unconformities are recorded within the formation towards the margins of the basin. Four members and three sets of beds are proposed as well as a number of informal facies units. A limestone breccia (Ragnarbreen Breccia) which occurs locally at the top of the formation is interpreted as a solution breccia. Fusulinacea from the top of the formation indicate a Bashkirian age, but the lowest part may belong to the Namurian rather than to the Bashkirian as previously supposed. The early clastic strata are thought to be largely fluviatile in origin, while the later red beds, evaporites and carbonates are similar to modern arid-area sediments, notably those of the Persian Gulf. Laterally continuous cyclothems occur throughout the sequence and are thought to be the result of regional or even world-wide agencies rather than of local causes.

Summary A numerical analysis has been carried out based on the ranges of taxa as shown in Part II of The Fossil Record . The numbers of first occurrences, last occurrences and totals have been calculated for groups of related taxa for each stratigraphical sub-division. Relative and net changes across all sub-division boundaries have also been calculated. Results for selected groupings are presented in the form of combined histograms and graphs. Smoothing techniques have been applied to some results, and some other numerical measures calculated.

No abstract

SUMMARY I have one final question to ask–who is to lead this revolution. It is a sad comment on the state of information science in biology (and the environmental sciences) that scientists with information problems should, in general, turn not to the professionals, to the curators, the librarians and the information scientists, but to scientists who have dabbled with computers. We almost have the situation where curators preserve specimens, librarians preserve books and nobody preserves information. There is a real danger that the challenge will be taken up by the computer specialists who will build up information empires quite separately from the libraries and museums. The pressure for such computer archives is coming from the research activities of systematic geologists and biologists like myself. Some of us are busy forging strong links with the computer specialists but it would be a disaster if the computer side grows up separately. What we need is not fragmentation but integration–integration of specimens, photographs, documents–printed, manuscript and computer–in fact integration of all communication media into a single system to serve the needs of scientists. It is time that the professionals came to grips with the obvious. Their product should be information not books, specimens or other arbitrary package. Any new technology which produces a better information service must be taken into the system.