IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
Messel Pit Fossil Site
2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
عقوملا تامولعم Country: Germany Inscribed in: 1995 Criteria: (viii)
Messel Pit is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene, between 57 million and 36 million years ago. In particular, it provides unique information about the early stages of the evolution of mammals and includes exceptionally well-preserved mammal fossils, ranging from fully articulated skeletons to the contents of stomachs of animals of this period. © UNESCO
صخلملا
2020 ربمسيد Conservation Outlook Finalised on 02 2020
GOOD
The conservation outlook for the Messel Pit Fossil Site is good in the long term. The World Heritage values of the site are well preserved and stable thanks to the adequate and improving protection and management system. The current and potential threats from landslides and growing tourism are very low and are all included in the management plan, which is in place since 2009. The threats are well identified and the risks for the site are adequately estimated and addressed. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
FULL ASSESSMENT
Description of values
Values
World Heritage values
▶ Record of the Middle Eocene environment Criterion:(viii)
Single best site which contributes to the understanding of the middle part of the Eocene. Very strong contribution to explain paleofauna, paleoflora and paleoenvironment of the Eocene (IUCN, 1995), and unique record of a complex, tropical to subtropical ecosystem (with habitats extensively reconstructable in a wide variety of biotopes) from the early Tertiary (World Heritage Committee, 2013; Dunne et al. 2014; Lenz et al., 2018a; Wilde, 2018; Smith et al., 2018; Lenz et al., 2017; Lenz et al., 2018b; Richter et al., 2017).
▶ Quality of preservation Criterion:(viii)
Particularly high quality of preservation, with complete skeletons with contours of soft part, stomach content, hairs, feathers in the case of vertebrates, conserved pigment, colouring and stomach content in the case of insects, leaves, blossoms, fruits, branches and pollen in the case of flora (IUCN, 1995; Smith et al., 2018; Wuttke et al., 2018; Habersetzer et al., 2018; Franzen et al., 2018; Franzen, 2017; Franzen & Habersetzer, 2017; O'Reilly et al., 2017; Sposojevic et al., 2018).
▶ Richness and diversity of fossils Criterion:(viii)
Very rich site, containing fossils of many hundreds of species of insects, plants, also species of lake and marsh ecosystems such as birds, amphibians, reptiles and fishes and land ecosystems species such as mammals (marsupials, bats) (IUCN, 1995; World Heritage Committee, 2013; Wedmann, 2018; Brochu & Miller-Camp, 2018; Mayr, 2018; Kurz & Koenigswald, 2018; Čerňanský & Smith, 2018; Franzen, 2018; Mayr, 2017a; Smith, 2017a; 2017b).
▶ Early evolution of mammals Criterion:(viii)
Documenting an early stage of the evolution of mammals (44 species are known in Messel), when many basic steps in diversifications were being achieved. Messel documents a time when mammals became firmly established in all the principal land ecosystems, and when they took to the air (bats) (IUCN, 1995; World Heritage Committee, 2013; Koenigswald et al., 2018; Franzen & Gingerich, 2018; Kurz & Koenigswald, 2018; Lehmann, 2018; Habersetzer et al., 2018; Ruf & Lehmann, 2018; Gunnell et al., 2018; Franzen, 2018).
Assessment information
Threats
Current Threats Low Threat
The only current threat to the World Heritage site is from landslides of the slopes of the pit. A monitoring system (with water drainage and a network of inclinometers) is present to follow and measure any increase of landslide-risks at the slopes. A landslide of the slope of the pit may directly impact the integrity of parts of the site. This current threat may hinder future research excavations in certain parts, but it will have a low or very limited impact on the World Heritage values of the site, which are based on its content in fossils. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
Thousands of fossils are already in public institutions and adequately curated, which is a guarantee of the conservation of the site’s values.
▶ Avalanches/ Landslides Low Threat (Landslides of the slopes in the pit) Inside site, extent of threat not known
Climate change, and in particular heavy rain falls can affect the site. Current forecasts indicate a possible increase of climatic events such as heavy rainfalls (State Party of Germany, 2006; Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). Such event may have major consequences on the integrity of the site through landslides of the slopes in the pit, but the risk is judged as low. An active system of measurements has been installed since the 1990s to monitor the stability of the slopes (network of inclinometers, Messel Pit WH Management Plan, 2009: see map p. 49; Schaal and Rabenstein, 2012). Additionally, continuous water drainage takes place to stabilize the slopes (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). Research has been undertaken to propose measures when an increase in slides occurs (State Party of Germany, 2006). For stabilisation of the western slope of the pit, a slope- protection retaining structure consisting of 99 bored piles was built in the winter 2009/2010 (Dürrwang et al., 2011). This will very effectively secure this slope in the future which is important for the access of both visitors and scientific teams to the Messel pit.
Potential Threats Very Low Threat
A few potential threats (impact of growing tourism and of scientific activities) have a very low impact because they are well identified and the management system has already proposed measures to mitigate against these. Another threat (potential landslides) is climate-dependent and hard to control. The current forecasts indicate a possible increase of climatic events such as heavy rainfalls that may result in landslides. The current management measures include a network of inclinometers and additional measures are proposed not only to prevent, but also to control landslides and to eventually protect the integrity of the most valuable areas of the site.
▶ Tourism/ visitors/ recreation Very Low Threat (Increase in visitor numbers) Inside site, scattered(5-15%)
With the growing number of visitors, currently about 40,000 annually per mean of the last 16 years (originally 100,000 annually were looked upon to be possible), tourism pressure will also increase in the future and could possibly have a negative impact on the site. However, this risk is a very low threat for three reasons: firstly, the only way to descend into the pit is by guided tours; the number of visitors descending into the pit will be strictly controlled and will only moderately increase, with a maximum number of 50 participants for each of the currently eight guided tours that may take place simultaneously (Messel Pit WH Management Plan, 2009). Secondly, most of the tourists will visit the Visitor Information Centre, which is not located in the site but in its vicinity, and then will have no direct impact on the integrity of site. And thirdly, the guided tours remain on the dedicated path, mostly covered (tar or gravels), so that the critical sedimentological substance of the site is not directly affected by the tourists.
▶ Other Activities Very Low Threat (Scientific activities) Inside site, localised(<5%)
Scientific excavations take place every year from spring to autumn. The excavations are undertaken by permanent teams and volunteers, which are mostly students. Excavations remove oil shale to expose and salvage fossils, which are the key-values of the Messel Pit. In the long-term, removing oil shale could negatively impact the integrity of the complete oil shale deposit. However, the risk is very low due to protective and active measures undertaken by the Senckenberg Research Institute and the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, which are responsible for the scientific activities led in the pit. The scientific excavations are strictly controlled and minimum requirements are necessary to have a granted access to the fossil-bearing oil shale sediments (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009; Wedmann and Schaal, 2010, 2011). As a result of the Darmstadt-Colloquium (2017), scientific excavations need to meet the requirements of the digging and documentation guidelines of the Hessian State Office for Monuments and Sites (the IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
central specialist authority in Hesse) (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege, 2019). As Annex to the digging permission required by the Hessian Monument Protection Act, the guidelines facilitate the implementation of the Hessian Monument Protection Act within the paleontological monument and the World Heritage site.
▶ Storms/Flooding Low Threat (Landslides triggered by increased rainfall) Inside site, throughout(>50%) Outside site Climate change can affect the site as current forecasts indicate a possible increase of climatic events such as high rainfalls and dry years (State Party of Germany, 2006; Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). Such events may have major consequences on the integrity of the site through landslides of the slopes in the pit, but the risk is judged as low.
Overall assessment of threats Very Low Threat
The only current threat is from landslides of the slopes of the pit, which might increase due to a potential increase in climate change induced heavy rainfalls and droughts. A management system (with a network of inclinometers) is present to follow and measure any increase of slope landslides. A few potential threats (impact of growing tourism and of scientific activities) have a very low impact because they are well identified and the management system already proposed measures to mitigate against these.
Protection and management
Assessing Protection and Management
▶ Management system Mostly Effective
The site has a management plan (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009), which identifies values, management objectives, future management outcomes and threats (e.g., tourism pressure, climate change, natural disasters). On behalf of the State of Hesse who is the landowner, the Messel Pit fossil site is operated and scientific diggings are managed by the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, while the Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company manages public relations of the site, including the visitor centre, guided tours through the pit, activities for visitors and collaborates in projects with partners also in the sustainable tourism development to fulfil the UNESCO philosophy. This is regulated via contracts of the respective society/company directly with the State of Hesse (Messel Management Plan, 2009). The governance framework is clear and the role of every partner is clearly explained and detailed so that there is no ambiguity. The governance and decision-making is open to scrutiny. Information is clearly presented in the Messel Pit Management Plan (2009). However, the document will be updated in the near future as the 2016 amendment of the Hessian Heritage Protection Act impacts the scientific excavations and new excavation guidelines were developed in 2019.
▶ Effectiveness of management system Highly Effective
The management system, already considered as highly effective at the time of inscription (State Party of Germany, 2006), has greatly improved the effective protection and management and strengthened the integrity of the site (World Heritage Committee, 2013).
▶ Boundaries Highly Effective
The boundaries of the site are effective to the management and protection of its values (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009), with a highly effective fence and including a buffer zone (22.5 ha), which both IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
enhance site protection (IUCN, 2010).
▶ Integration into regional and national planning systems Highly Effective
The integration into regional and national planning systems is highly effective through an effective network of communication and cooperation (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). A number of stakeholders can be identified, all being involved in the management of the site: Hessen State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Arts, the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research and Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company and the municipality of Messel (Messel Management Plan, 2009).
▶ Relationships with local people Highly Effective
The local population is included in decision-making (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009).
▶ Legal framework Highly Effective
The legal framework is effective in maintaining the site’s values (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009: see 3.2). There is no land tenure issue since the sole land owner of the Messel Pit Fossil Site is the State of Hesse (through the Hessen State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Arts, one of the key partners in the management of the site; Messel Pit WH Management Plan, 2009). The legal framework is effectively enforced (perimeter fence, buffer zone, surveillance by foot patrols) (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009).
▶ Law enforcement Highly Effective
The site comprises a perimeter fence accessible only by authorised personnel. This fencing-off is very effective. The perimeter is kept under surveillance by foot patrols to prevent trespassing (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). Researcher access to undertake excavations requires an agreement.
▶ Implementation of Committee decisions and Data Deficient recommendations
Not Applicable
▶ Sustainable use Highly Effective
Only parts of the geological formation of oil shale containing the fossils are accessible on the surface. Most of it lies deep underground. Scientific excavations are limited on 100 m3 per annum and are currently under the responsibility of the Senckenberg Institution and the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt. Excavations are strictly controlled by the management plan, the mining regulations of the Federal Mining Law and the Hessian Monument Protection Act, as well as the above mentioned digging and documentation guidelines of the Hessian State Office for Monuments and Sites. The research permits are valid for a one year excavation period. Resource use at present does not represent a threat to the conservation of the site.
▶ Sustainable finance Some Concern
There is no available estimate of the level of financial resources required to ensure the effective management of the site, but financial resources seem adequate to maintain the site’s values in supporting the cost of protection and management operations such as operation of the pit and waste water treatment, security measures and slope reinforcement, etc. (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). The Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company receives funding for market research, outreach and dialogue from the State of Hesse, the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, the Leibniz-Association and the Municipality of Messel (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research is mandated by the State of Hesse to operate the Messel fossil pit and coordinate the research projects. The operation of the visitor information Centre opened in 2010, is financed by the State of Hesse, the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research and the municipality of Messel. Income is also generated from IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
entrance fees and guided tours. The Municipality of Messel will leave the Messel Pit World Heritage non- profit limited company on December 31, 2021. An assessment is in progress how to proceed further after the date of leaving (IUCN Consultation, 2020).
▶ Staff capacity, training, and development Mostly Effective
The staff numbers for the World Heritage site are adequate. The Senckenberg Institution provides five scientific researchers, one preparator and three technical assistants (Senckenberg Institution, 2020). For access and promotion, the Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company provide six full-time positions, two seasonal positions (7 months) and one short-term position. For the operation of the Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company that runs also the visitor centre, a minimum of 8- 10 full-time positions for the service counter (including guided tours) are in the yearly team with 75% women being staff members (Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company, 2020). The staff receives in-house and external training for promotion, interpretation and visitor management. The Senckenberg Institute keeps a satellite research station in Messel for scientific work and operation. The equipment and infrastructure are well maintained to guarantee the management plan. The new Visitor Information Centre offer a top quality service in the context of the management of visitors.
▶ Education and interpretation programs Mostly Effective
There are several education, interpretation or awareness programmes that enhance the understanding of values of the site for all age groups and education backgrounds. Action days, special programmes for seniors with a presentation on World Heritage, as well as “World Heritage Officer” certificates for young people, have been realised to transmit the value of this unique site. The results have been presented on conferences and published in proceedings. The Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company (2020) manages the Visitor Information Centre; a website that should be available in English end of spring 2021; and produces flyers (see, e.g., Frey, 2015; 2016; 2018a, b). Working meetings concerning new scientific findings on the Messel Pit are organised by Senckenberg and take place annually (Wedmann and Schaal, 2013), while large international scientific conferences are less frequent (e.g., Lehmann and Schaal, 2011). The annual working meeting in 2020 was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
▶ Tourism and visitation management Mostly Effective
Promotion of Messel Pit is managed by the Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company. It is supported by various networks: - the Global Geoparks Network; - several key partners involved in the conservation and administration of - the site, which include local and regional institutions such as the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, the Messel Museum of Fossils and Local History and the Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald Association; - the Monument Authority of Hesse; - the Odenwald Tourism Ltd. Company; - the Darmstadt Citymarketing Ltd. Company; - and the Hesse-Tourism Agency. The Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company also manages the visitor centre, which offers temporary and permanent exhibitions of fossils, exhibits on the history of the site, volcanism, climate, evolution, landscape, as well as guided tours and other activities to transmit and promote this unique site. In addition, a wide range of communication activities concerning the site are now in place (World Heritage Committee, 2013). Since 2004, the Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company offers a few guided tours also in English and French. A new web site with information in German, English and French is in preparation and planned to be launched in spring 2020. International exposure is also achieved through the scientific publications and associated press attention. Structures such as the viewing platform and the visitor centre have no impact on the conservation of the site. The number of visitors actually descending into Messel Pit is moderate and under strict control. Their impact on the integrity of the site is very low, as the only way to visit the site is through guided tours. Each guided tour is limited to a maximum of 50 participants; currently eight guided tours can take IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
place simultaneously, meaning a maximum of 400 people at the time (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). Tourism is managed to support the protected area objectives and the integrity of the site. In 2019, a new tourism study was initiated by the Messel Pit non-profit limited company and realised by DWIF, Munich, across an EU-LEADER funding project given by the district Darmstadt-Dieburg, Regionalmanagement.
▶ Monitoring Mostly Effective
Threats to the site’s values are constantly being monitored and management plans and decisions are adapted. For example, the stability of the slope is constantly monitored with a network of 30 inclinometers. Groundwater and rainwater are pumped away to stabilize the slopes (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009). The scientific values of the site are adequately and constantly monitored by the Senckenberg Institution, especially through annual excavations (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009), and controlled by the Hessian State Office for Monuments and Sites.
▶ Research Highly Effective
The management system of the site includes a specific research programme, notably through risk assessment, studies related to the values of the site, condition surveys, paleontological surveys and visitor management. In addition, the management system takes into account the result of studies and research programmes at the decision-making stage (Periodic reporting, 2006). Scientific research is represented mainly by the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research and Hessisches Landesmuseum, Darmstadt. Many research papers have been published in international scientific journals.
Overall assessment of protection and management Highly Effective
The current protection and management of the site can be considered as highly effective. The management system that is now in place supports the protection of the site’s Outstanding Universal Values, contributes to building of local and regional communication networks, facilitates promotion and access to the site for visitors and provides education to improve understanding of the site’s values (especially through the visitor centre). The State of Hesse is the sole land owner of the Messel Pit Fossil Site, contributing to an effective legal framework. Tourism, public relations and scientific excavations are effectively managed by the Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company and Senckenberg Society for Nature Research on behalf of the State of Hesse. However, the management plan from 2009 needs an update, also to reflect the 2016 amendment of the Hessian Heritage Protection Act and new excavation guidelines.
▶ Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and Highly Effective management in addressing threats outside the site
At this time, the protection and management are highly effective in addressing threats outside the site (illegal trespassing, illegal excavations, industrial sites surrounding the site, renaturation of the site and uncontrolled growth of the vegetation). The boundaries of the World Heritage site, including a buffer zone (22.5 ha) and a highly effective fence, effectively protects the values of the site (IUCN, 2010).
▶ Best practice examples
The Messel Pit World Heritage non-profit limited company has supported the German UNESCO commission in seminars and workshops, in giving presentations on best practice examples on visitor centre development and management, as well developing own income by guided tour offers and developing geo-education and other geo-souvenirs (Frey, 2015; 2018a, b). The Messel Pit has also welcomed delegations from China, South Korea and Denmark to give best practice examples of managing activities. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
State and trend of values
Assessing the current state and trend of values
World Heritage values
▶ Record of the Middle Eocene environment Good Trend:Improving
The unique knowledge of the Middle Eocene environment provided by the Messel Pit is based on the scientific investigations conducted in and on the Messel oil shale deposits and/or the included sediments. The site is particularly significant in preserving records of various communities of aquatic, terrestrial and aerial organisms, providing a unique record of a complex ecosystem from the early Tertiary. The current state of this value is improving as the site’s management and protection system against the few threats (tourism pressure, climatic events) improved during the last five years, with especially the creation of a buffer zone and measures to stabilise the western slope. Recent significant research results also improved our knowledge of the middle Eocene environment (e.g. Lenz and Wilde, 2018; Lenz et al., 2017; Wedmann and Richter, 2007, Tütken 2014), ecosystem (Labandeira et al., 2011; Tütken, 2011, Mayr and Wilde, 2017) and food web structure (Dunne et al. 2014, Smith and Scanferla 2016).
▶ Quality of preservation Good Trend:Stable
This value is based on the state of preservation of fossils unearthed from the site over the last decades. Skeletons are often complete, with the contours of soft parts and stomach contents (Mayr and Schaal, 2016), including a fetus (Franzen et al., 2015), and colouring conserved. Stomach contents of insects have also been found (e.g. McNamara et al., 2011). The exceptional preservation of fossils will lead to new findings due to improved analytic technics, as the recent discovery of pigment remains shows (Colleary et al., 2015). Fossils recovered are now adequately curated and stored in public institutions. The methodology employed (known as ‘transfer method’; State Party of Germany, 1995), preserves fossils for the near future, however, the epoxy resin base plates must be checked for signs of aging in the more distant future. Thanks to this methodology and to the preservation of the fossils in public institutions, the value is stable.
▶ Richness and diversity of fossils Good Trend:Improving
Messel is known for its record of a highly diverse flora and fauna. The flora includes one the widest varieties of early Tertiary species of leaved flora with preserved cuticle structures. Within the fauna, invertebrates outnumbered vertebrates with a significant number of insects. The vertebrate fauna included 100 identified species at the time of inscription (State Party of Germany, 1995). This value is improving, with a greater richness and diversity, with, for example, 152 species of vertebrates (including 47 species of mammals in 32 genera) now identified (Schaal 2017; Schaal et al., 2018; Smith et al., 2018). In addition, there are over 35,000 specimens (Messel Pit Management Plan, 2009) representing 203 species of plants in 75 families identified (Smith et al., 2018), of which 65 are of flowering plants with preserved fruits and seeds (see Collinson et al., 2011; Collinson et al., 2012). Our knowledge is constantly increasing, also regarding other taxa such as turtles (Joyce and Scheyer, 2011), fishes, squamates (Müller et al., 2011; Scanferla and Smith, 2020) and birds (Mayr, 2017a, b, c; Mayr, 2018). Invertebrates represent an especially large part of the fauna found at Messel: approximately 17,500 specimens of which 60% are beetles (Wedmann and Richter, 2007; Ficacek et al., 2010; Wedmann et al., 2011; Spasojevic et al., 2018, Seldon and Wappler, 2019) and preserved colouring in moths (McNamara et al., 2011). IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
▶ Early evolution of mammals Good Trend:Improving
The Messel Pit Fossil Site records a uniquely important diversification phase of the evolution of mammals, when they experienced a rapid development and became globally predominant class of animal. The site provides a sharp insight into the early phylogeny of mammals, with 40 species having been identified at the time of site’s inscription, a number that has now increased to 47 (see Lehmann and Schaal, 2012; Franzen and Habersetzer, 2017; Smith et al,. 2018) belonging to 13 different orders (Rose, 2012). These discoveries improve the value of the site, and especially with the advances on the history of primates (Franzen, 2011; Franzen et al., 2009, 2011; Gingerich, 2011; Hurum et al., 2011; Koenigswald et al., 2011), as well as additional knowledge on bats (Gunnell et al., 2011) and carnivores (Morlo et al., 2011).
Summary of the Values
▶ Assessment of the current state and trend of World Good Heritage values Trend: Improving
The site’s World Heritage values are associated with the fossil record of a unique Middle Eocene environment, including various communities of aquatic, terrestrial and aerial organisms. Recovered fossils are well preserved and stored in public institutions. The state of the site itself has improved with the creation of a buffer zone and the measures concerning the stabilisation of the western slopes in 2012. Significant scientific results continue to improve our knowledge about the middle Eocene environment. Our knowledge is greater now regarding taxa such as turtles, fishes, squamates and especially invertebrates. Advances in the history of primates and carnivores have contributed to the importance of the site for studying the evolution of mammals. Recent works highlight our knowledge of the trophic structure of this Eocene ecosystem and provide advances in the scope of taphonomic studies.
ةيفاضإ تامولعم
Benefits
Understanding Benefits
▶ Outdoor recreation and tourism
The site is already relatively important for tourism. Since 1997, a visitor observation platform with text panels about the history and developments of the site has been on site and open to the public. It is estimated that 166,000 people visited the Messel Pit viewing platform already in the first five years (1998-2003) (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Between 2004 and 2019 about 488,000 visitors experienced the Messel Pit World Heritage site through guided tours (IUCN Consultation, 2020).
▶ Importance for research, Contribution to education
The site is an important resource for building knowledge and for educating, through the visitor centre now in place. The visitor centre welcomes a wide range of visitors and aims at, among other objectives, presenting exhibitions on evolution and geo-diversity, proposing lectures, brochures, internet access, development of a didactic approach for the mediation of the Messel Pit World Heritage site. Throughout the year, Messel Pit coordinates and offers a large number of guided tours, training of teachers and tours for schools, kindergartens and other groups. The site has developed a “Junior World Heritage Officer” offer for children during holiday times. This label was given to the German UNESCO sites to be used by all, if wished so (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Since 2018, a collaboration with the University of Frankfurt/Main exists on education at an outdoor learning site. There are partnerships since 2003 with the UGGP Lesvos (Greece) plus UGGP Naturtejo IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
(Portugal) and other partners from the European and Global Geoparks Network; since 2009 regularly with UGGP Hong Kong (China) and since 2017 also with Zhoukoudian Man WHS in the UGGP Fangshan (China) and the WHS Zigong in the UGGP Zigong since 2018 (Frey, 2018b). Research results from significant scientific studies of the Messel Pit fossil record has improved our knowledge of the middle Eocene environment and contributed to the understanding of early stage mammal evolution and the evolutionary history of other life on Earth.
Summary of benefits
Key benefits of the World Heritage site include tourism, knowledge building and education. The Messel Pit Fossil Site has an intensive collaboration with partners in the region, Europe wide and international with UNESCO Global Geoparks (Frey, 2018b).
Projects
Compilation of active conservation projects
№ Organization Brief description of Active Projects Website
1 Senckenberg Investigation and reconstruction of the Eocene https://www.senckenberg.de/en/institutes/s Society for Nature Lake Messel: excavation and preparation, enckenberg-research-institute-natural- Research, geology, paleobiology, X-Ray applications, history-museum-frankfurt/division-messel- Frankfurt am Main Messel fossil collection and Paleoclimate. research-mammalogy/
2 Hessisches Investigation of the Eocene Lake Messel: https://www.hlmd.de/museum/forschung/na Landesmuseum excavation and preparation, focus on turgeschichte.html Darmstadt, palaeobiology of fishes and insects, Messel Darmstadt fossils collection. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Messel Pit Fossil Site - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
REFERENCES
№ References
1 Brochu, C., & Miller-Camp, J. (2018). Crocodyliforms – Large-bodied Carnivores. In K. T. Smith, S. F. K. Schaal & J. Habersetzer (Eds.), Messel - An ancient Greenhouse Ecosystem. Stuttgart E. Schweizerbart‘sche Verlagsbuchhandlung.
2 Colleary, C., Dolocan, A., Gardner, J., Singh, S., Wuttke, M., Rabenstein, R., Habersetzer, J., Schaal, S., Feseha, M., Clemens, M., Jacobs, B. F., Currano, E. D., Jacobs, L. L., Sylvestersen, R. L., Gabbott, S. E. and Vinther, J. V. (2015). Chemical, experimental, and morphologial evidence for diagenetically altered melanin in exceptionally preserved fossils. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112 : 12592–12597.
3 Collinson, M.E, Smith, S.Y., Manchester, S.R., Wilde, V. and Howard, L.E. (2011). ‘The value of X-ray approaches in study of the Messel fruit and seed flora’. In: T. Lehmann and S.F.K. Schaal (eds) The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in paleobiology, palaeoenvironment, and the history of early Primates. 22nd International Senckenberg Conference. 15th-19th November 2011, Frankfurt am Main. Conference Volume, pp. 38-39. Frankfurt am Main: Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.
4 Collinson, M.E., Manchester, S.R., and Wilde, V. (2012). Fossil fruits and seeds of the Middle Eocene Messel biota, Germany. Abhandlung Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung 570: 1–251.
5 Darmstadt-Colloquium (2017). Forschung in der Weltnaturerbestätte Grube Messel - Rückblick und Ausblick, Kolloquium im Hessischen Landesmuseum Darmstadt, 23-24 November 2017. See: https://lfd.hessen.de/hessenarch%C3%A4ologie/unesco-weltnat…
6 Dunne, J.A., C.C., Labandeira, and R. J. Williams. (2014). Highly resolved early Eocene food webs show development of modern trophic structure after the end- Cretaceous extinction. Proceedings of the Royal Society 281: 20133280.
7 Dürrwang, R., Vogel, H., and Aderhold, G. (2011). Rutschungssanierung mittels Großbohrpfählen am Beispiel Weltnaturerbe Grube Messel bei Darmstadt In: Tagungsband der DGGT. Tagungsband der 18. Tagung für Ingenieurgeologie und Forum für junge Ingenieurgeologen, 16.-19. März 2011, TU Berlin. Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, Berlin 283-289.
8 Fikacek, M., Wedmann, S. and Schmied, H. (2010). Diversification of the of the greater hydrophilines clade of giant water scavenger beetles dated back to the Middle Eocene (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilina). Invertebrate Systematics 24:9-22.
9 Franzen, J. L. (2018a). Odd-toed Ungulates – Early Horses and Tapiromorphs. In K. T. Smith, S. F. K. Schaal & J. Habersetzer (Eds.), Messel - An ancient Greenhouse Ecosystem. Stuttgart: E. Schweizerbart‘sche Verlagsbuchhandlung.
10 Franzen, J. L. (2018b). Erstes Skelett von Propalaeotherium voigti (Perissodactyla, Equoidea) aus der Grube Messel bei Darmstadt. Kaupia, 22, 155-168.
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