Sullivan, R.M. and Lucas, S.G., eds., 2016, Fossil Record 5. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 74. 239 TOWARD A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES VINCENT L. SANTUCCI¹, PETER NEWMAN² and B. DERRICK TAFF² 1National Park Service, 1201 Eye Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20005; -email:
[email protected] 2The Pennsylvania State University, 801 Ford Building, University Park, PA 16802 Abstract—Dinosaurs and other fossils capture the imagination of people of all ages from around the globe. An assessment of the wide range of human values associated with paleontological resources reveals strong and sometimes conflicting perspectives. Given the fact that fossils are non-renewable resources, decision-making relative to the use, conservation and stewardship of paleontological resources must recognize and consider the human dimensions of fossils. Scientific, educational, recreational, commercial and other human values may directly influence the motivations and behaviors of individuals as they relate to paleontological resources. The unauthorized collection of fossils from public lands, including theft and vandalism, entails a variety of legal, ethical, economic and social factors that need to be assessed in conjunction with the planning and implementation of public policy. The purpose of this review is to initiate the compilation of baseline information on the human dimensions of paleontological resources in order to develop a conceptual framework and more clearly identify the most crucial questions to address in future research. INTRODUCTION and others to better understand and implement effective strategies for A fundamental topic in paleontology that has garnered little the enjoyment, use, management and stewardship of non-renewable attention is an evaluation of the values that humans ascribe to fossils.