Welcome to the tremendous, amazing, Big Asheville Science Salon!
Overachieving Trees with forest ecologist Dr. Kaushik Narasimhan.
Ahh, springtime in the suburbs. Through a swirling fog of pollen, I’m watching my neighbor transform her lawn into a flowering spectacle that will ascend rapidly from opulence into obscenity. You’re probably familiar with such a neighbor – their property tracks the seasons like a department store display, armed with a seemingly limitless stockpile of inflatable yard art dedicated to Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and all dates in between. Other lawns try their best to compete but they are no match (seriously, who thought one strand of blinking lights could put them in the lead?).
Similarly, in the plant kingdom, forests are hotbeds of competition. Don’t be fooled by their sylvan serenity – these beautiful bastions of biodiversity host brutal contests among the grasses, bushes, and trees, rivalling the most ferocious of gladiator games (admittedly, at a much slower pace and with less hollering).
But how is it that some tree species end up dominating a forest while others struggle to simply stay in the mix?
At the June salon, grab a ringside seat for a bare-branches, rumble in the jungle* with forest ecologist Dr. Kaushik Narasimhan. Though he maintains that his first love is bats, Kaushik’s research has focused on understanding ecosystem dynamics in the cloud forests of the Ecuadorian Andes. A recent transplant to Asheville (having moved here after completing his graduate work at Tulane University), Kaushik now has set his sights on forest dynamics right here at home.
* Note: this talk is very unlikely to include any actual violence, focusing instead on ecological mechanisms such as plant-fungi symbiosis, genetics, and seed dispersal. There will, of course, be plenty of opportunities to holler.
Our mission: Cultivate curiosity and build community by sharing the coolest, grooviest, and fascinating-ist scientific discoveries. And have a beer (or wine or soda).
How it do: Each month, a bona fide expert takes us on a thrill ride of science awesomeness (i.e., talk about their research and probably show pretty pictures). Afterwards, a lively Q&A segues into general mingling and chatting about why science is so cool.
When: First Wednesday of each month.
Doors: 6:00pm; Presentation: 7:00pm; Socializing: 8:00pm
Where: The Mule (at Devil’s Foot Beverage) 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
No cover charge – just bring your brain!
Doors open at 5:00. Have a drink with old friends, meet new ones, and get ready for some serious science in a seriously un-serious setting.