Posted by Richard
Primack
In early July, Prof.
Hossein Akhani from the University of Tehran visited the Primack lab to discuss
our current project to produce an Iranian edition of A
Primer of Conservation Biology.
Prof. Akhani presented an engaging seminar to the BU Biology Department on “The
ecology and conservation of saline ecosystems in Iran with a focus on Lake
Urmia, the largest lake in the Middle East”. The environmental damage being done to Lake Urmia through diversion of
water is reminiscent of the better known example of the disappearance of the
Aral Sea.
Two highlights of
his visit were a trip to the Arnold Arboretum with BU undergrads Luca Russo and
Lucas Stegman to monitor fruit maturation, and an excursion to Plum Island to
observe coastal vegetation.
Prof. Akhani’s visit
coincided with the final round of international negotiations regarding Iran’s
nuclear program, and allowed us to get a better idea of the Iranian perspective
of these complex issues.
