I was just scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook, before starting on this blog post. I just had a realization; that Facebook is similar to the pieces, processes and patterns in ecosystems and the environment. Individual people or pages for organizations and such are the pieces. The processes are methods with which we can interact with each other - a poke, wall post, private message, or group message - and the patterns are the continuous ways in which we interact with the same people. For example, if there's one friend that you always post comments on their wall versus someone else where you share memes in private messages.
In addition to that rather basic connection between the two systems, I was considering how interesting it is when you look at someone you're friends with or accept the friend request of someone, and then examine the mutual friends you two have. It's crazy when you find someone who knows the same people as you do, but you didn't know that they knew each other. It gets weird when it's a mixed bag of people that you both know because then you get to wondering how the other people met, how they know each other and how well, etc. Maybe this makes me sound a little bit creepy, but I think it's a natural reaction to have; I'm just curious. I like understanding how and why things work or go together, and that's especially true with people.
All of these ideas can be linked back to ecology though. I think we don't fully understand the processes or pieces or even have note of the species in an ecosystem. They have so many interactions that we probably have no idea about at all, which complicates restoration, or even basic understanding of our role and effect on the environment. So crazy, but still so true.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Jellyfish or syrup?
The two project ideas that I threw out when we discussed possibilities in class were jellyfish and maple tree movement.
Both of these ideas are only in the formulation phase; I haven't solidified anything. For jellyfish, I would need data on current jellyfish locations and the habitats that jellyfish would need - perhaps certain water depths, presence of jellyfish prey, and water temperature. These limits would be set on the initial map, which hopefully would be a time step map from like 1980 to 2000, which could then be used to progress jellyfish progress into the future according to climate change. I predict that climate change will have a large impact on aquatic organisms in general, as temperature of water is a determining factor for survival. In terms of jellyfish, I think the temperature of the water will decide how far and to what extent they spread. Jellyfish succeed in warmer temperatures, and invasive and nuisance species like the Portuguese Man of War (shown below) will extend their range to waters further north.
Both of these ideas are only in the formulation phase; I haven't solidified anything. For jellyfish, I would need data on current jellyfish locations and the habitats that jellyfish would need - perhaps certain water depths, presence of jellyfish prey, and water temperature. These limits would be set on the initial map, which hopefully would be a time step map from like 1980 to 2000, which could then be used to progress jellyfish progress into the future according to climate change. I predict that climate change will have a large impact on aquatic organisms in general, as temperature of water is a determining factor for survival. In terms of jellyfish, I think the temperature of the water will decide how far and to what extent they spread. Jellyfish succeed in warmer temperatures, and invasive and nuisance species like the Portuguese Man of War (shown below) will extend their range to waters further north.
Picture source: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/portuguese%20man%20of%20war
The second idea was to examine the movement of maple tree species further north, again an effect of climate change. In order to produce maple syrup, maple trees need freezing nights and warm days in order for the sap to flow and be collected. The problem with this idea is that Vermont is seeing fewer of these days compared to the past; the land and climate further north will be more suitable for harvest and production of maple syrup. Thus, I was curious to explore the economic effects of this shift in maple syrup production as climate change occurs.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Snow and Sun
For blogs this week, the topic is looking at spring break through an ecology lens.
With that in mind, I first thought about the weather while I was home, and the climate of the mid-Atlantic region. I call Maryland my home, as I've lived there all my life, and right now it's going through that awkward in between phase of winter and spring. Although there are four seasons in Maryland, there really isn't much of a winter; if we get snow it's usually temporary and the forecast consistently predicts more than we get. In fact, I've even had school closed because snow was forecast, but never actually came.
I bring up the snow because it snowed while I was home, on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning so that there was about a 1/4 inch by 8 AM or so, not even enough to cover the grass. People in DC called it the Snowquester after the recent economic developments from the White House. It's crazy to think that there was snow Wednesday, yet this weekend yielded sunny skies and 60 degree weather. All within the span of a week. But that's part of the beauty of Maryland really; you just have to take it day by day.
What was most interesting about this situation, is that the birds and critters seemed slightly confused by the warmth and sunshine - thinking it was spring. On Saturday and Sunday morning, birds were chirping happily in the morning and throughout the day, despite the fact that colder weather will probably come again shortly. Some of the tulips in my front yard had already sprouted and started to grow, but cold weather will stop them in their tracks. Crocus, typically a small purple or white flower, is one of the first flowers out in very early spring, verging on the end of winter (pictured below). Small patches of the small flowers could be found here and there throughout the neighborhood, but this is a flower that can withstand threatening colder temperatures.
The temperature and climate are one way in which ecology was witnessed over spring break.
With that in mind, I first thought about the weather while I was home, and the climate of the mid-Atlantic region. I call Maryland my home, as I've lived there all my life, and right now it's going through that awkward in between phase of winter and spring. Although there are four seasons in Maryland, there really isn't much of a winter; if we get snow it's usually temporary and the forecast consistently predicts more than we get. In fact, I've even had school closed because snow was forecast, but never actually came.
I bring up the snow because it snowed while I was home, on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning so that there was about a 1/4 inch by 8 AM or so, not even enough to cover the grass. People in DC called it the Snowquester after the recent economic developments from the White House. It's crazy to think that there was snow Wednesday, yet this weekend yielded sunny skies and 60 degree weather. All within the span of a week. But that's part of the beauty of Maryland really; you just have to take it day by day.
What was most interesting about this situation, is that the birds and critters seemed slightly confused by the warmth and sunshine - thinking it was spring. On Saturday and Sunday morning, birds were chirping happily in the morning and throughout the day, despite the fact that colder weather will probably come again shortly. Some of the tulips in my front yard had already sprouted and started to grow, but cold weather will stop them in their tracks. Crocus, typically a small purple or white flower, is one of the first flowers out in very early spring, verging on the end of winter (pictured below). Small patches of the small flowers could be found here and there throughout the neighborhood, but this is a flower that can withstand threatening colder temperatures.
The temperature and climate are one way in which ecology was witnessed over spring break.
| Crocus, image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crocus_group.jpg |
Friday, February 22, 2013
Crunch Time
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.
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 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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