Tuesday, June 14, 2016:
ABC monthly lecture series presents, Dr. Peter Hodum speaking about his research:
PLASTIC: IT’S WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST!
Tuesday, June 14, 6:45 – 8:45 pm
University Place Library Meeting Room
3609 Market Place W, Suite 100
University Place, WA 98466
$10. All are welcome.
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The issue of plastic debris in the oceans is of growing concern globally, with plastic accumulating in marine habitats from the equators to the poles and from coastlines to the middle of ocean basins. Although patterns of plastic ingestion by marine wildlife such as sea turtles, marine mammals and seabirds are increasingly well documented, the consequences of ingestion remain poorly understood. The pervasiveness of marine plastics, especially micro-plastics, throughout marine food webs is also unknown. In this talk, Peter Hodum will discuss the magnitude of the marine plastic pollution issue, the impacts of plastic debris on marine wildlife, and the use of biological indicators, ranging from seabirds to mussels, to better understand the impacts of plastics on marine ecosystems. He will also talk about the challenges and opportunities of dealing with this global environmental issue.
Dr. Peter Hodum is an associate professor at the University of Puget Sound and the Chile Program Director for Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, a conservation non-profit organization. In Chile, Dr. Hodum leads a long-term program dedicated to conducting applied conservation research, restoration and community-based conservation programs. His research focuses primarily on the conservation and ecology of threatened seabirds and island ecosystems in Chile and here in Washington State. His research program also focuses on issues related to marine plastic debris and its impacts on marine wildlife. He is an enthusiastic educator who loves working in the field and with communities, both locally and internationally.