A20: Sound and Survival: Animal Communication (3 units)
Time: Tuesday 9:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Dates: February 12, 19 & 26
Place: Meadows Presbyterian Church
Instructor: Michael Garstang
Limit: 45

Michael Garstang is Professor Emeritus and Dis­tinguished Research Professor of the Environ­mental Sciences Department at the University of Virginia. He is an atmospheric scientist specializing in surface-to-atmosphere interactions in the tropics, with pioneering discoveries in ecosystem sustainability. His writings include a textbook and over 100 scientific papers. His studies of elephant communication have been featured in a National Geographic wildlife film entitled Giants of Etosha and in the National Geographic Magazine.

The course will explore the role played by communication in animal survival using the African elephant as the primary subject.

Session 1 will introduce the subject of animal communication and will review how, in particular, elephant low-frequency (below human hearing) sounds are produced, transmitted and detected by other elephants.

Session 2 will explore elephant behavior and the role played by sound in reproduction, resource utilization, predation and conflict avoidance.

Session 3 will go beyond current scientific understanding to consider the meaning and importance of a body of anecdotal evidence including elephant response to the Indian Ocean 26th December 2004 earthquake and tsunami.  The course will conclude with a discussion of the concept of Umwelt as it relates to the world of sound that surrounds us and animals.