A Study On Li Xingxue And Development Of Paleobiology In Modern China

Li Xingxue(1917-2010) has been considered to be one of the major founders in the subject of palaeobotany in China, and famous geological palaeontologists in the domestic and overseas. He focused a lot on basic theory research in palaeobotany and terrestrial stratigraphy, which plays a very important role on promoting the development of paleobiology in modern China. Many of his writings are known as the cornerstone for the related subject fields in China and East Asia. Research on Li Xingxue and the paleobiology development in modern China helps us, not only can see his experience on study and practice, but also know well the development background and historical track of Chinese paleobiology. It brings about vital academic values and realistic significance for the geological research in paleobiology and science education development.After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the paleontology, based on the research of fossils, develops rapidly with remarkable achievements. Li Xingxue had been committed to research geological and paleobiology for 65 years since he was admitted into Chong Qing Beibei Central Geological Survey in 1942. He had published more than 140 papers and 11 books, among which 10 books received the highest awards from the National Natural Sciences in China, Top Achievements of CAS and Technological Progress of CAS. The main content of his palaeobotany research include the advancement of palaeobotany in China, Cathaysian flora including gigantopterids, Carboniferous Permian stratigraphy of North China, Upper Paleozoic coal bearing series of East Asia, and the Cretaceous flora of NE China. His classical book,<Fossil plants of the Yuemenkou Series, North China>, is an overview of the cathaysia flora distribution. With its high academic evaluation, the book won the prize of top science and technology achievements of CAS. It is because Li Xingxue had successfully applied the knowledge of palaeobotany to research on the geologic that he was the Chinese leader in the paleozoic terrestrial stratigraphy. He had made some breakthrough on another branch of paleobiology. For example, his partition way for flora in the palaeophytogeography aroused attention from the academic world and he had done a lot on Nanjing Homo Erectus research.In order to promote the development of education in science popularization, Li Xingxue had actively compiled popular science works, and brought up 11 postgraduates and a large number of young students and education staff. He had many visits abroad and made a wide range of contacts, exchanges and cooperation with foreign counterparts. Li Xingxue had successfully established himself as the member of the President of the Paleontological Society of China, President of the Paleobotanical Society of China, and Editor-in-Chief of "Acta Palaeontologica Sinica" for long-term, etc. With his hard work, the Sinica became a famous journal both in China and abroad. Li Xingxue’s success is not only due to the favorable social environment, but it is a result of his personal pursuit of ideals, diligence and great effort, as well as the development of the national modern science.