In light of our upcoming exam, the blog post this week will feature 3 short answer exam questions and answers.
1. Why is studying ecosystems ecology important?
Studying ecosystems ecology allows us to better understand the world around us, adapt to changes and anticipate adversity. In understanding the pieces, patterns and processes in ecosystems, we can become better stewards by figuring out our role in the environment.
2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of modeling?
Although modeling allows us to look at different possibilities for the future and determine which scenarios are most likely, there are a lot of variables that aren't accounted for and can't be foreseen no matter how many trials are run. Modeling past events as a predictor of the future works most of, but not all of the time. On the other hand, modeling helps us to consider and list the important facets of an issue that we might not otherwise factor in.
3. Why is decomposition critical to continuation of an ecosystem?
Decomposition allows for nutrient cycling to occur; so nutrients can continuously be broken down and taken back up again by plants and animals in the area. Nutrients facilitate energy production, and without energy an ecosystem doesn't exist.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
US Global Change Research Program
A little bit more focused in terms of subject is this weeks subject of some sort of climate change report. I chose to look at the report from the United States Global Change Research Program.
Before even starting to look at the report, I checked out the authors and who wrote the report. Turns out that they have a pretty wide variety of people (mostly scientists) who are all advising the report itself. Some are professors, some are professionals, but all of them seem to be experts. I'm always skeptical of sources for information, especially something as important and controversial as climate change. Although skeptical, the authors of this report appear to have a decent record in terms of experience. This information is found here: http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/first-national-assessment/national-assessment-synthesis-team
Moving onto the 163 page summary report, there is a lot of useful information to be gleaned from every page. The temperature will be increasing 5-9 degrees or more in the next 100 years. Climate patterns in terms of temperature, precipitation, and storms will all be affected. The food supply will not be secure. There's a lot of scary information found in this report.
The most important part of which I think is the fact that the real, or actual results can not be 100% predicted. That's the scary part, that we can't fully anticipate what's going to happen in the future to the entire planet. Everything will be different; organisms, the atmosphere, populations.
Here's a link to the report:
http://downloads.globalchange.gov/nca/nca-2000-report-overview.pdf
Before even starting to look at the report, I checked out the authors and who wrote the report. Turns out that they have a pretty wide variety of people (mostly scientists) who are all advising the report itself. Some are professors, some are professionals, but all of them seem to be experts. I'm always skeptical of sources for information, especially something as important and controversial as climate change. Although skeptical, the authors of this report appear to have a decent record in terms of experience. This information is found here: http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/first-national-assessment/national-assessment-synthesis-team
Moving onto the 163 page summary report, there is a lot of useful information to be gleaned from every page. The temperature will be increasing 5-9 degrees or more in the next 100 years. Climate patterns in terms of temperature, precipitation, and storms will all be affected. The food supply will not be secure. There's a lot of scary information found in this report.
The most important part of which I think is the fact that the real, or actual results can not be 100% predicted. That's the scary part, that we can't fully anticipate what's going to happen in the future to the entire planet. Everything will be different; organisms, the atmosphere, populations.
Here's a link to the report:
http://downloads.globalchange.gov/nca/nca-2000-report-overview.pdf
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Technology
Remote sensing and GIS have only recently been incorporated into solving environmental problems. Although they have both revolutionized the field, such technology can frequently be difficult to use. I wonder if the technology causes people to shy away from certain classes or careers. I used ArcGIS and all of its software package last year when I took Intro to GIS. Over time, the software becomes easier to understand, although it takes a lot of initial effort because it's not very user friendly. The software isn't GUI, unfortunately. My project at the end of the semester was very basic, not because I didn't have any ideas, but mostly because there was a limited amount of data available for free. It was also difficult to figure out exactly how to process the map layers to get the information that I wanted, even with experience at the end of the semester. It was very frustrating.
Moving forward, I also think that Dinamica can be frustrating and difficult to use; but much less so than ArcGIS. So far the lessons have been fairly easy, and the software is pretty easy to use. There have been some problems in the directions from the guidebook because it's outdated, but the goal at the end of the day is usually accomplished. Through the trials and tribulations, technology can be useful.
Moving forward, I also think that Dinamica can be frustrating and difficult to use; but much less so than ArcGIS. So far the lessons have been fairly easy, and the software is pretty easy to use. There have been some problems in the directions from the guidebook because it's outdated, but the goal at the end of the day is usually accomplished. Through the trials and tribulations, technology can be useful.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Soil Resources
This week's sweet subject: soils!
Last year I took Joseph Gorres class on soils, which was awesome to say the least. Lab was entertaining, as we learned how to quantify soil via organic matter, organisms, and hydrologic qualities, among other things. However, one of the most interesting resources that I used in and after that class was the Web Soil Survey.
I think it was mentioned in class yesterday, but it's a useful, informative website. Essentially, you can search any place within the United States and find out the soil qualities of that region. It has the flaw of not every place has been surveyed and is represented on the map, but it's a slow and steady process to study all of the soils. It's pretty simple and relatively user friendly though, which is very convenient. You just type in an address, whether it's by state and county, specific address, or latitude and longitude. From there, the display changes to show the specific region, and soil properties including uses, texture, mineral and nutrient content, water content, and many many other details. In short, it's a pretty helpful tool in quantifying soil, at least within the United States.
Last year I took Joseph Gorres class on soils, which was awesome to say the least. Lab was entertaining, as we learned how to quantify soil via organic matter, organisms, and hydrologic qualities, among other things. However, one of the most interesting resources that I used in and after that class was the Web Soil Survey.
I think it was mentioned in class yesterday, but it's a useful, informative website. Essentially, you can search any place within the United States and find out the soil qualities of that region. It has the flaw of not every place has been surveyed and is represented on the map, but it's a slow and steady process to study all of the soils. It's pretty simple and relatively user friendly though, which is very convenient. You just type in an address, whether it's by state and county, specific address, or latitude and longitude. From there, the display changes to show the specific region, and soil properties including uses, texture, mineral and nutrient content, water content, and many many other details. In short, it's a pretty helpful tool in quantifying soil, at least within the United States.
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