POTENTIAL FOSSIL YIELD CLASSIFICATION (PFYC): DIGITIZING THE "FIRST LOOK" OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN OKLAHOMA

The Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) is a five tiered system developed to evaluate the paleontological resource potential of geologic rock units. Created by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the PFYC is a tool used to assist BLM managers in determination of which geologic units may contain paleontological resources by assigning a numerical ranking between 1 (very low potential) to 5 (very high). The PFYC evaluation can be applied to protect and preserve fossils, which are considered nonrenewable resources. Application of the PFYC is intended to result in more scientifically sound and informed planning decisions. Perhaps, more importantly, this may protect significant fossils prior to the execution of ground-disturbing activities. Significant fossils include unique, unusual, or rare specimens which provide an impactful contribution to the scientific community, existing paleontological knowledge, and overall understanding of Earth's past. This GeoCorps project involved digitizing recorded fossil localities and compiling the most current published geological maps available for the state of Oklahoma, ultimately providing a GIS database reflecting a paleontologist-assigned PFYC value per mapped geologic unit.