Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University recently hosted a Darwin Day event focusing on the impact of natural selection in environments affected by nuclear fallout, such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. The event took place on February 10 and was organized by John True, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution. True highlighted the significance of Charles Darwin's contributions to science, stating that his theory of evolution through natural selection is "the most fundamental principle of modern biology."

The event featured Timothy Mousseau, an ecologist from the University of South Carolina, who shared insights from his 25 years of research in Chernobyl. Mousseau's studies have shown that radiation has significant effects on wildlife, including increased tumor rates and cognitive impairments in birds. He noted that out of 1,669 birds caught in Chernobyl, 25 had tumors or growths, a stark contrast to zero cases observed at a control site.

Mousseau also discussed how bird populations in highly radioactive areas show reduced survival rates due to health complications like sterility and deformities. Similar patterns were observed among rodents and plants. His team found comparable results after the Fukushima disaster in Japan.

Despite these challenges, Mousseau suggested that natural selection might lead to more resilient plant species over time. Pollen viability data from Chernobyl showed improvement decades after the incident.

The Darwin Day event was sponsored by the Stony Brook Collaborative for the Earth. It comes amid discussions about nuclear energy's role in reducing carbon footprints, with Governor Kathy Hochul exploring advanced nuclear reactor models for New York.

Future events include a "Science and Cinema" screening on February 26 and an academic debate during the Climate Solutions Summit NYC in April.

— Rachel Lea