223 



Mi-. KoGERS. Also, I think you might submit for the record any sug- 

 gestion you liuve as to wliat should be done to provide the necessary 

 ecological information resulting from a sea level canal in Central 

 America. 



Dr. Galler. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Rogers. I wonder if enough work is being done in this area. 



Dr. Galler. Speaking as a scientist-administrator Avho has over the 

 past 20 years been associated with program development, and speaking 

 without prejudice or criticism of any group, it is my considered opinion 

 that if such basic research is going on that would help us assess what 

 might occur as a result. 



Mr. Rogers. It will be helpful to have your suggestions in this. 



I think it would be helpful to have your remarks extended for the 

 record. 



(The material follows:) 



Base Line Studies in the Region of the Interamerican Isthmian Canal 



The effects of some of the activities of modern man which can change the 

 distributions of animals and plants and the geography of major regions of the 

 world may be of the greatest scientific and economic (and therefore political) 

 importance. 



Many examples can be cited : The construction of a canal around Niagara Falls 

 permitted the sea lamprey to invade the Great Lakes, and destroyed important 

 lake trout and whitefish industries. The accidental introduction of a snail para- 

 site on Japanese oysters contributed to an equally great reduction in the major 

 ground fisheries of the Black Sea. The digging of the Suez Canal has allowed 

 137 species of marine organisms to pass from the Indian Ocean to the Mediter- 

 ranean Sea, and at least one species to pass in the reverse direction. The ultimate 

 repercussions of this exchange are not yet clear, but already the preliminary 

 effects are being felt from Pakistan to Tunisia. Dams in inland waterways of 

 the western United States have prevented the reproduction of salmon. On land, 

 there are the famous examples of rats, starlings, and sparrows introduced into 

 North America, and rabbits and cacti introduced into Australia. All these species 

 have wrought basic changes in the ecologies of their new homes, and some have 

 already cost many millions of dollars to control. 



These examples indicated that the construction of a new sea level canal in 

 Panama or Colombia should be accompanied by a wide range of biological 

 studies. First of all, preliminary information must be obtained in order to predict 

 the probable biological effects of the mixing of Atlantic and Pacific biotas. The 

 subsequent changes in the biological and physical environments should be moni- 

 tored and measured regularly, for a period of several years. 



The information obtained would be of great scientific interest as well as prac- 

 tical value. 



The Atlantic-Pacific Interoceanic Canal Study Commission is making radio- 

 biological studies to determine the feasibility of canal construction. Following 

 the Commission studies, a decision will be made as to whether to undertake 

 construction. The Smithsonian Institution is an appropriate organization to 

 direct or coordinate the long-term studies. The following proposal specifies the 

 precise interests of the Institution, summarizes its resources and capabilities, 

 and suggests a definite program to begin the necessary research as rapidly and 

 economically as possible. 



relationship to previous work 



The studies which the Smithsonian proposes to undertake would complement 

 and supplement the earlier work sponsored by the Atlantic-Pacific Interoceanic 

 Canal Study Commission. The Smithsonian would extend the Commission's 

 feasibility studies in space and in time to investigate each major habitat type on 

 each side of the canal over a period of time sufficient to achieve a biological 

 understanding of the dynamics and ecology of the organisms and not just their 

 occurrence. 



