Ralf Sommer. Life and science on a tropical island (DSSS July 2nd, 2021)
Channel: Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen
Date: 2021-07-06

Life and science on a tropical Island-
European paradise in the southern hemisphere

Ralf J. Sommer
Dept. for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, MPI for Developmental Biology; Tübingen


Abstract: My laboratory is performing field work on La Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, where we run a field station since 2010. This will be an unusual talk: I will give some background on our work with nematodes and beetles on the Island. This naturalist perspective will be understandable for the non-specialist. The center of the talk however, will be on the Island itself. Starting from the geology and history of the Island, I will cover what life on the Island is all about: From the annual cyclones and volcano outbreaks, to the famous sugar cane, rum and vanilla production. I´ll also give some insight into the creole life style, the sustainability problem of a still increasing population, and finally, I´ll touch on unprecedented French infrastructural projects in the middle of the Indian Ocean.