HMNS Distinguished Lecture Series: Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity and Oil Spill Resilience by Wes Tunnell

The Houston Museum of Natural Science presents the HMNS Distinguished Lecture Series.  Fascinating Speakers, Cutting Edge Science.  Hear about the latest scientific discoveries – from the world's foremost experts. Throughout the year, HMNS hosts a variety of distinguished lecturers to enhance your understanding of a current exhibition or provide new perspectives on captivating topics.

Monday, October 13 at 6:30 PM
Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity and Oil Spill Resilience by Wes Tunnell
Wortham Giant Screen Theatre

The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most ecologically and economically valuable bodies of water on Earth producing 1.4 billion pounds of commercial fishery landings each year valued at $660 million, and it harbors 15,419 species. In contrast to this great biodiversity and productivity, there are environmental impacts and problems that contend with a healthy Gulf. Large percentages of Gulf habitats have been lost due to many environmental insults, such as overfishing, habitat loss and destruction, degraded water quality, extensive coastal development, and climate change.

Dr. Wes Tunnell (pictured) will explain how the Gulf appears quite resilient in the face of all of these problems, and what a tipping point of too many problems might eventually cause.

Dr. Wes Tunnell is Associate Director and Endowed Chair of Biodiversity and Conservation Science at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. He serves as adjunct curator of malacology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

This lecture is co-sponsored by Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.