In late June, 2021, western North America experienced an unprecedented heatwave. A new Canadian all-time high temperature record was set and hundreds of people died. Along the coast of BC, the high temperatures coincided with very low tides, and that combination was lethal for billions of barnacles, mussels, sea stars, and other sea creatures that live in the intertidal zone. Such intense heatwaves, once a 1-in-1000 year occurrence, are expected to become more common and more severe due to climate change.

Dr. Harley will provide an overview of how climate change has already impacted seashore life in British Columbia. He will then describe the impacts of the 2021 heat wave – its geographic extent, the species affected, and the ongoing ecological implications for the northern Strait of Georgia and beyond.

Chris Harley has been studying coastal marine ecosystems along the west coast and around the world for over 25 years. He completed his PhD at the University of Washington in 2001, and spent several years as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University and the University of California, Davis. He joined the faculty at the University of British Columbia in 2005, and he is currently joint-appointed in the Department of Zoology and the Institute for Oceans and Fisheries.

Chris and his students are interested in how marine ecosystems are changing and why. They study the ecological impacts of gradual warming, sudden heatwaves, ocean acidification, and changes in salinity. They are especially interested in how biodiversity is changing as a result, and how certain key species can speed up or slow down ecological change driven by human activities. When Chris is especially lucky, his kids come with him down to the shore.

This presentation will be aired via Zoom Video Conferencing. On the Monday preceding the event, Nature Vancouver members will receive the Zoom link in the weekly e-News. To join the talk on Thursday, click on that link after 7:15 pm. The talk will begin at 7:30 pm.  Non-members are welcome and should Email denis@NatureVancouver.ca well in advance to register for the link.