Everglades National Park and a famous experiment in biogeography 50 years ago

Fifty years ago, amid mosquitoes, sharks, and sunburn, Dan Simberloff and Ed Wilson fumigated mangroves in Everglades National Park and elsewhere and then counted insects as they returned. Their experiment tested a theory of island biogeography. It rapidly became a classic, informs the design of protected areas, and recently inspired ESA to publish testimonials that reveal how influential this experiment has been. It’s a premier example of national parks hosting world-changing research. It’s also the subject of a new video. I will tell the story of the experiment and the video in a way that celebrates and highlights the park.