Award-winning author and environmental biologist, Thor Hanson, returned to Rotary to discuss his newest book, Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid. Not only a scientist, Thor is a consummate storyteller with the ability to take, what could be complex scientific data, and translate to riveting stories of his research and others on the biology of climate change.
He brought a thermometer into the yacht club. It was 70 degrees. Agreeable to most people and animals. But what happens when the temperature is out of control? We take shelter on hot days, stay hydrated, not chopping wood at Noon.
We adjust our behaviors. And the animal world? Plasticity enters the picture.
Thor gave us two examples of squid and lizards (featured on his book cover).
Until 6 - 8 years ago, squid were large and prevalent on CA coastline, then they disappeared from high waves and warmer water passing through. A group of scientists traveled to the area and discovered the squid were still there but had adapted to the changing climate, triggering an innate reaction. They were more numerous but a fraction of their previous size. Scientists call it 'plasticity'.
Lizards of the Caribbean Islands: Prof Colin Donahue returned home to analyze his extensive lizard data. Within weeks of his return, 2 hurricanes (175 mph winds) devastated the area. Of course, the ever-curious biologist returned to see what had survived. 'Armed' with a leaf blower (explain that to customs) he secured himself in his hotel room with several captured (not harmed) lizards, small branches to simulate hurricane force winds. Lessons learned: from the time of the hurricanes, young lizards had adapted by growing larger toepads with better gripe, measurably larger from pre-hurricane data. A great example of hurricanes driving lizard evolution!
I'll close with one of Thor's favorite quotes from The Leopard: If you want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.
