Biodiversity Exhibition

DECEMBER—Island Biodiversity

The Natural Wonders of Madagascar: Photographs by Harald Shütz
This photographic exhibition provides a new look at the wildlife of Madagascar—an island isolated for so long from mainland Africa that hundreds of animals and plant species call Madagascar their only home.

Wildlife studies by Field Museum scientist Steve Goodman are beautifully captured in color photographs by Harald Schütz. The exhibition also marks the publication of The Natural History of Madagascar, an encyclopedia of the unique flora and fauna of this wondrous island, edited by Steve Goodman and published by University of Chicago Press.

Open December 5, 2003 – July 5, 2004.

This exhibition was created by Harald Schütz in collaboration with The Field Museum. Local support has been provided by the City of Chicago, Mayor Richard M. Daley, the Department of Environment and Commissioner N. Marcia Jimenez.

Traveling the Pacific
How does a stretch of barren, volcanic lava become a lush, tropical island teeming with life? Explore the vast region of the Pacific islands as you learn about their geology, biodiversity, and cultures.

Learn how non-native species evolved to thrive in an inhospitable environment with poor soil and little fresh water, and marvel at the abundant life on an atoll—an island made of coral where a wide variety of crabs, snails, and starfish make their homes. This is also the home of the living coral reef, where shallow water allows life-sustaining sunlight to penetrate, supporting a more diverse group of plants and animals in the water than on the land above.

Discover how delicate the ecological balance on these tropical havens is, and learn what is being done to protect, preserve, and restore them from the effects of global warming and past nuclear testing.

Permanent Exhibition.

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