Stony Brook University’s Department of Ecology and Evolution recently hosted a Darwin Day event focusing on the evolutionary impacts of nuclear fallout in regions like Chernobyl and Fukushima. The event, held on February 10, featured a lecture by Timothy Mousseau, an ecologist from the University of South Carolina.
John True, associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook, emphasized the significance of Darwin's contributions to science. “Charles Darwin, along with Alfred Russel Wallace, revolutionized our understanding of life by proposing the theory of evolution through natural selection," he stated.
Mousseau shared insights from his 25 years of research in Chernobyl. He highlighted that radiation has been linked to increased cancer rates in humans since the early 20th century but noted that its environmental and evolutionary impacts were less understood until recent studies.
The research conducted by Mousseau and his team revealed significant findings about wildlife affected by radiation. They observed tumors in birds from highly radioactive areas compared to none in control sites. "This does not sound like a lot," Mousseau said, "but... it is highly significant."
Further observations showed smaller brain sizes among birds exposed to high radiation levels, leading to cognitive impairments and higher rates of cataracts. Additionally, around 40 percent of birds from these areas were found to be sterile.
Similar patterns were observed after the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011. Despite different environments, both regions showed populations nearing mutational meltdown as predicted by models.
Mousseau's team also discovered that over time, plant genotypes more vulnerable to radioactivity declined or were eliminated through natural selection. This resulted in seeds that are "unbelievably tough and resistant."
The Darwin Day event was sponsored by the Stony Brook Collaborative for the Earth amid discussions on nuclear energy use for reducing carbon footprints.
Future events include a screening on February 26 featuring Heidi Hunter discussing nuclear energy themes and an academic debate during the Climate Solutions Summit NYC scheduled for April 23-24.