Convective storms, sometimes reaching into the stratosphere, play a major role in maintaining the heat balance of the atmosphere and in governing the vertical distribution of critical trace gases and aerosols. Work involving the coupling of the deeper atmosphere to the surface and boundary layers is being conducted over the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. Other studies, which capitalize upon knowledge of convective storms and the boundary layer, include global and regional rainfall, gaps in the rainforest and low-frequency sound transmission. Elephant behavioral studies including interaction with weather and climate are continuing together with elephant and other animal response to abiotic sounds such as those generated by precursor earthquake signals.
With his students, notably Robert Swap, he pioneered work on the transport of critical trace elements from the Sahara-Sahel into the forest regime of the Amazon Basin and deposition maintaining the largest inland delta: the Okavango swamps in Botswana. His work on elephant communication expanded into the abiotic sound regimes of geophysical phenomena such as thunderstorms, earthquakes and tsunamis. His 2015 book on elephant behavior: “Elephant Sense and Sensibility: Behavior and Cognition”, is the single most comprehensive treatment of elephant behavior currently in print.
Michael continues to paint and write in the areas of African wildlife.
Artwork by Michael Garstang:
