Oct. 27, 2014, 7 PM meeting: 120 Years of Biological Exploration in Texas Groundwater , presented by Ben Hutchins.
Although biological exploration of Texas groundwater began in the late 1800’s, it wasn’t until the 1980’s that the Edwards Aquifer was established as a global biodiversity hotspot for obligate groundwater species (known as stygobionts). Despite this long history of research, species description in the Edwards and other groundwater habitats in Texas is continuing at a rapid rate. More importantly, increasing pressure on groundwater resources has prompted ecological research aimed at understanding relationships between historical biogeography, microbial processes, and ecosystem function. The amazing diversity of groundwater organisms (primarily invertebrates) in the Edwards Aquifer, illustrates a complex history of colonization and long-term persistence of ancient lineages. Recent research has illustrated surprisingly complex food web structure and an intimate relationship between biodiversity and hydrogeology. Despite nearly half a century of acknowledgement, threats to this globally significant ecosystem continue to increase, though recent conservation measures and potential opportunities are encouraging.
Our monthly meetings, which have been held regularly since 1993 at Zilker Garden Center, feature an educational program. All are open to the public and most are free. The Garden Center is located in Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78746.
Ben Hutchins was born in Kentucky where he received his B.S. in Biology from Western Kentucky University. He received his M.S. in Biology from American University, Washington DC, studying the phylogeography of groundwater invertebrates in the Shenandoah Valley. After volunteering with the Peace Corps in Morocco, he moved to San Marcos, TX, in 2009. He received a PhD in Aquatic Resources from Texas State University in 2013, studying foodweb structure in the phreatic zone of the Edwards Aquifer. Ben has briefly worked as a private consultant on groundwater issues in the Eastern U.S. and is currently employed as an invertebrate biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife.