Following in the tradition of Charles Darwin 150 years ago with his groundbreaking theory of evolution, USM grad student Erik Pietrowicz is embarking on a year-long project along with scientists from around the world to promote evolutionary sciences. The results will be posted on a blog to be set up in the near future.
Pietrowicz, who is working towards a master’s degree in biology, received a small grant from The Society for the Study of Evolution, whose goal is to promote the study of organic evolution in all its aspects.
Susan Ryan, a researcher at the Gulf of Maine Area – Census of Marine Life program, is working with Pietrowicz to develop a series of lectures, courses, and educational resources for a project called, “USM Celebrates Darwin.” Events will be scheduled throughout 2009 to promote their project.
Maine’s intricate coastline and diverse habitats offer researchers a rich environment to study evolutionary science. The Census of Marine Life, a global network of researchers who assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine life in the oceans, selected the Gulf of Maine as the ecosystem pilot study for CoML, where everything from whales to microscopic plankton are studied for their contribution to biodiversity in the ecosystem.
Results from CoML’s research will be used to determine the most effective ways of managing our coastal areas in Maine and around the world. In 2010, CoML will release the first comprehensive analysis of their findings from the past to the present as well as their predictions for the future.
Eventually CoML will contribute their research data to Ocean Biogeographic Institution, an organization that provides marine biogeographic data, from all over the world, for free over the internet.
OBIS publishes data on the spatial and temporal distribution of marine species around the world. Their website gives anyone with internet access the benefit of this knowledge at no cost. OBIS believes educational and research programs will save time and money by being able to access thier website.
For more information, visit:
www.obis.org
http://www.usm.maine.edu/gulfofmaine-census/
February 12, 2009 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his pivotal book, “On The Origin of Species.” Though Darwin’s theory of “natural selection” has endured much controversy, it continues to have a profound affect on science.