Colgate's celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth kicked off Tuesday with a lecture about one of the naturalist's legacies - the study of biodiversity - and a warning that the home for a vast array of plant and animal species is threatened.

The university has several events this week to honor Darwin, including the dedication of a "thinking path" at the top of the former ski hill, a Tree of Life cake baked by students, a film, and a colloquium.

On Tuesday, students filled Meyerhoff Auditorium in the Ho Science Center to listen to Catherine Cardelús, assistant professor of biology, discuss "Darwin, Plants and Tropical Diversity."