Forest and Grasslands Lab

A.      Your textbook lists seven ecological services of forests. List these along with three more you can find in this video or elsewhere. They can be subsets of the “main” ones.

Support energy flow and chemical cycling, Reduce soil erosion, Absorb and release water, Purify water and air, Influence local and regional climate, Store atmospheric carbon and provide numerous wildlife habitats.  Also: Provide wildlife and humans with food, Create nutrients and seeds for plants growth and Create nutrients and seeds for plant growth.

B.       Why is an International Day of the forest important to recognize?                 

International Day of the forest is important day because in celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forest and trees.

C.       Name two groups involved in the preservations of forests.                                                           

American forests and Rainforest action network

Wild Earth Guardians

A.      List the characteristics and ecological values of wilderness.                                                           

Wilderness characteristics provide a range of uses and benefits in addition to their value as settings for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation.

Air and Water filtration, Climate regulation and Maintenance of Biodiversity

B.       Name and describe two things in this document that “speck” to you. By this I mean they touched your emotions in some way. Why do you think you responded in this way?    I have always loved animals so hearing about they being killed off because of things that people have done but it’s also nice that there are people out there that really care about persevering our world. These two touched me because one side some people really just don’t care what they are hurting and on the other side there are real humans out there. Sometimes it’s really hard to see the real and passionate side of people and it’s good to see that there are people out there.   

C.       Name two groups involved in preservation of wilderness.

National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife service and Bureau of Land Management.

D.      If you are interested in helping in this effort, what can you do? I already off ways to help by collecting cans and also doing paperless billing, it’s also helped with getting my bills sooner because the mail service can be a real pain in the butt at times. I think a huge thing people should do is cut the can holding things I don’t like buying 6 packs because of that. I saw a picture of a turtle and just seeing that I was done.

The land of Mountaintop Removal

A.      What is the impact on people living in the areas where this takes place. Do a little research and describe.                                                                                                                                             

The impact on people living in these areas is people having to leave because the dumping of the non wanted earth somewhere so that’s affecting people and also it’s affecting the water resources. They can’t live somewhere that they can’t get good water and it can be harmful for them.

B.       Name and describe two things in things in this video that “speak” to you. By this I mean they touched your emotions in some way. Why do you think you responded in this way?                                            

Two things that made me really sad were people having to leave there homes because they are being invaded by unwanted earth and then the water resources are being affected and that can be very harmful for people. Another sad thing is wildlife being destroyed because of the removing of the mountains.

C.       Name two groups involved in preservation of mountaintops.                                        

Mountain Area Preservation and Natural Resources defense council

D.      If you are interested in helping in this effort, what can you do?                                                     

Join one of these groups and signing their petitions, just your signing a paper can go a long way.

Avatar Grove Making a Stand

A.      List the characteristics and ecological values of old growth forests.                                                               

Old growth forests are important because they included diverse of tree structures that provide for wildlife habitat that increases the bio diversity of the forested ecosystem. Old growth forests are exceedingly ecologically important, and have a biologically diverse and often home to rare, threatened and endangered species of both plants and animals.

B.       Name and describe two things in this video that “speak” to you. By this I mean they touched your emotions in some way. Why do you think you responded in this way?

One thing that truly made me sad was that 73% of the forest has already been destroyed, don’t get how people can think this is okay. That’s why we have a lot of endangered animals because they find these places as homes. The second thing is seeing the clearness of the forest that’s truly sad but it’s good they have people out there trying to save this place. It truly looks amazing if it was full of trees it would probably be the most beautiful place.

C.       Name two groups involved in preservation of the Avatar Grove.                                                  

Ancient Forest Alliance and Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce

D.      If you are interested in helping in this effort, what can you do?                                                     

If someone wants to help they can sign petitions or send money to these people that are trying to save the forest.

Climate, Trees, and Legacy    

A.      Describe assisted migration and why Connie and others feel it is so important.                            

Assisted Migration is the act of deliberately helping plant and animal’s species colonize new habitats   when driven out their historical habitats due to rapid environmental change. Connie and others feel like this is important because certain species will not be able to survive because of the climate change, the animals have diminished that previously dispersed their seeds, as well as cities and roads block the ability for the seeds to grow.

B.       Name and describe two things in this video that “speak” to you. By this I mean they touched your emotions in some way. Why do you think you responded in this way?                                                                            

A huge thing that spoke to me is that hearing how much climate change affects the trees and how some can’t adapt to the weather so they become diseased. Normally these diseases can be fought but because the climate changes they can’t. Another thing that made me that I found interesting was she said trees can’t move like animals, even if they wanted to they are move. She says that we have to help them now and she said oh shit which kind of made me smile because she doesn’t have a filter when it comes to something that matters to her.

C. If you are interested in helping in this effort, what can you do?                                                                                         A way you can get involved is something called assisted migration and getting more people informed about   what’s going on because seeds where able to spread themselves but now people need to help too. She also mentions a lot more organization that people can get involved in and says people shouldn’t become arrogant.

E.       Do the “homework” near the end of the video.                                                                                              

What did trees mean to me, are first house when moving to Mayer from phoenix I will always remember my brother climbing this one tree and my mom said you’re going to fall and he never listened but one day he did fall out of the tree but he just keep doing it. I learned never to climb trees because I thought I would get hurt. We used trees as forts and had a tire swing on one that was really fun.                  Importance of Northern Arizona Grasslands

Name five ecological service grassland provide and five threats to grasslands.                             

A.      Ecological: Enrich the soil, Produce oxygen, Purify water, Provide a storehouse of biodiversity and Hold soil in place preventing erosion.                                                       

Threats: Erosion, Fire suppression, inappropriate grazing practices, Invasive (non-native plants) and Roads, building, and subdivisions

B.       Name and describe two things in this video that “speak” to you. By this I mean they touched your emotions in some way. Why do you think you responded in this way?                            

C.       Reading about all the invasive species and how they can pose a serious challenge to land mangers. They can also affect the species that’s living around there because if they affect the food they are eating they will go places to find what they like or they will die because they can’t find it. Another thing that really sucks is the land management are put in hard spots to make decision without knowing what’s go to happen, it has to be hard for them if they make a bad call they will blame themselves for things that have happened. 

D.      Name two groups involved in preservation of grasslands.

Arizona game and fish department and the nature conservancy

E.       If you are interested in helping in this effort, what can you do?                                                     

I think a huge thing is being informed of what’s happening and going out there to make others know.

E.O. Wilson on Biodiversity Hotspots

A. Name ten biodiversity hot spots.                                                                                                                       

Australia, India, Peru, Indonesia, China, Ecuador, Philippines, Malaysia, Brazil, and Madagascar       

B. Write a four sentence biography of E.O. Wilson.                                                                                                                Edward Osborne was born on June 10, 1929 and in Birmingham, Alabama. He received his early  training in    biology at the University of Alabama. After that he received his doctorate in biology at the Harvard University in 1955. Wilson made important discoveries, including the determination that ants communicate primarily through the transmission of chemical substances known as pheromones.        

C. Name and describe two things in this video that “speak” to you. By this I mean they touched your emotions in some way. Why do you think you responded in this way?                                                                                                            It’s amazing to see that there are these hot spots that have a large amount of species and they are in danger. It’s good that they classify these places I really never knew about this but another thing is how much it cost. There is a lot of money being spent elsewhere so there has to money to help these animals being they are huge for are ecosystem.

D. Name two groups involved in preservation of biodiversity hot spots.                                                                               Critical Ecosystem Partnership fund (CEPF) and World Wildlife Fund

Part 2: Random Sampling

Random Sampling Data			Actual Data
Grid Segment (number and letter)	Number of Sunflowers		Total number of Sunflowers 228 (count by hand) Average number of Sunflowers (divide total by 10) Per grid 2.28
E3	3
J10	1
G5	3
H2	3
C7	3
F4	3
D8	2
A6	3
B9	3
I1	3
Total Number of Sunflowers	27
Average (divide total by 100)	2.7
Total number of plants in meadow (multiply average by 100)	270

Analysis

1.      Compare the total number you got for sunflowers from the SAMPLING to the ACTUAL count.  How close are they? 

My numbers were 42 off from the actual count. It’s not bad but it’s kind of a 50/50 shot.

2.      Why was the paper-slip method used to select the grid segments?

The paper slip method was used to demonstrate what it would be like to pick randomly. It shows that if you pick randomly the average will be about the same.

3.      A lazy ecologist collects data from the same field, but he stops just on the side of the road and just counts the ten segments near the road. These ten segments are located at J, 1-10. When she submits her report, how many sunflowers will she estimate are in the field?

The lazy ecologist would count seven sunflowers in J, 1-10 so she would estimate that there are 70 sunflowers in the field when she submits her report.

4.      Suggest a reason why her estimation differs from your estimation.

The reason her estimations differ because she didn't pick hers randomly, she just wanted to get hers done and didn't seem to care.  

5.      Population sampling is usually more effective when the population has an even dispersion pattern. Clumped dispersion patterns are the least effective.  Explain why this would be the case.

When a population is clumped you can’t use this method to get an accurate number. You would get a high amount of numbers in one area with a low number in the others. You couldn't use this because numbers would be everywhere and it wouldn't be accurate. As opposed to a even dispersal you can take those numbers and it would turn out to be pretty close to the actual number.

6.      Describe how you would use sampling to determine the population of dandelions in your yard.

I would use sampling to determine the population of dandelions in my yard by doing what we did in this exercise, I would section off the yard in a grid pattern. With 100 squared off sections, then count the number of flowers and then determine an average of flowers per square by dividing that number by 10. Use that averages multiply it by 100 to get the total.

7.      In an area that measures five miles by five miles, a sample was taken to count the number of desert willow trees. The number of trees counted in the grid is shown below. The grids where the survey was taken were chosen randomly. Determine how desert willow trees are in this forest using the random sampling technique. Show your calculations.

The area is 5x5 which is 25 squared, you take the five numbers given 11+7+9+5+3 which equals 35. Now taking that number 35 divide it by 5 which gives you 7. Then you will take 7 and multiply it by 25 which equals 175. That gives you 175 willow trees in that forest. 

Part 1: Fearsome Frogs

I never knew this about bullfrogs, I can’t believe this is actually happening. Bullfrogs could actually eat up an entire species is just crazy. Watching how these frogs could eat anything and nothing could really hurt these guys made them seem like they were invincible. It was gross seeing all the things they were eating in the video like way how could they do this and were did it all go. Frogs are supposed to eat just flies or at least that’s what I thought. I still can’t get over they can eat snakes, I am still thinking how can they do that were does the snake go. There is a huge difference in size and it doesn't seem to bother them on the things they eat. As long as they think it’s good to eat they just do it, totally can’t believe it even though you see it happening in the video. Seeing them move in this video was crazy like they can eat things that’s harmful to us but it isn't to them is just crazy. Bullfrogs can even climb just like a human to get to what they want is just crazy so nothing is really safe around these guys. Then seeing someone actually eat one of these was totally gross. You see what they eat and you still eat them gross. What I don’t get is if they eat poisons animals then why aren't they poisons. I just think it would be running through their system so how are people eating these frogs and not getting sick. I think if we want these frogs to not harm other species then people need to get off their butts and find what these guys can’t do and see what they won’t go after. There might be another species out there that might be more harmful and you need to introduce them into this part of land where these frogs live so they stop eating everything. These guys are smart so they might now how to stay alive and only eat something and not kill off a totally species. 

A River Reborn

Location and geography

Located in Carmel Valley California is the Carmel River which has two dams San Clemente Dam and Los Padres Dam. Carmel River is a 36mi river on the central coast of California in Monterey County that originates in the Santa Lucia Mountains. The biome location of the Carmel River is the montane chaparral and woodlands. The Carmel River drains a watershed of about 255 square miles.

 

Reason for building dam

The reasons for building the dam were to supply water to the Monterey Peninsula towns. With the population raising the water wells were few and poor.

Reason(s) for dam removal

The dam is now obsolete and at risk of collapsing in an earthquake and its reservoir is so silted up with sand and gravel that it hasn’t been used to supply water since 2002. This will be the biggest dam removal project in the history for California.

 Ecology description paragraph

The river flows through various habitats beyond its bankside riparian zone, starting in mixed evergreen forests, then down through montane chaparral and woodlands to remnant coastal sage and chaparral and coastal prairie, concluding through minor coastal sand dunes at its pacific mouth.

2 special plants

Tule reeds (Schoenoplectus acutus)

Pickle weed Salt grass (Salicornia europeae) 

2 special animals

Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

California red legged frog (Rana draytonii)

Current use

Right now the dam isn't being used because of the buildup of the sand and gravel.

Current threats

If there is an earthquake it and the dam breaks it will affect 15 hundred homes, so it protects public safety. It also is affecting the sand replenishment so if it’s no longer then it will increases and it will dune habitat that is found there. A huge threat right now is the steel head trout being killed so if it’s no longer then it helps the recovery of these trout. It is also affecting the life of the red legged frog this will help these frogs if the dam is no more.

A great video must watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcpPC1qqwts&feature=c4-overview&list=UUAHukb73IvBPrSXdNwlzsxQ

 Cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmel_River

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_23508105/californias-biggest-dam-removal-project-history-begins-carmel

How We Wrecked the Oceans!

Lab 8 

Part 1

My Biotic Community is the Plains and Great Basin Grassland of Prescott Valley Arizona (142.1 on the map.) The organism I choose that lives in the area is Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio Rutulus), these butterflies are very beautiful and my niece and I see two in our back yard flying around every morning. To defend against predators, swallowtails practice Batesian mimicry a behavior in which the butterflies appearance closely resemble that of a distasteful species to ward off predators.  Another adaptation is it’s a foul smelling organ that can turn inside out, and along with the eye spots may deter predators. 

Part 2

Concept Map!

Virtual/Personal Field Trips #2

When thinking of an outdoor area I knew the perfect place, my back yard! Being outdoors is my favorite place to be and something I wish I did more. It’s just something that seems so peaceful and relaxing. Best thing to do outside is play with my niece Honor, she is a wild child and loves to explorer everything. We were outside one day and I just started noticing all the different plants and as you will see Miss Honor helped me out!

  

I believe this is a feather bush (Lysiloma Microphylla), it’s something I found when I first walked out my door. It was hiding behind a bigger bush so I didn't understand how it was surviving with hardly any sun. But when I researched it the Feather Bush doesn't need much sun light. It also doesn't need much water. I just found it cute being hided away from everything else.  This brush I don’t think is much of an invader it likes hiding away from everything its like people some people are just shy maybe this brush is too. When touching it, it isn't pokey so it’s not a brush that needs to go. I think it fits really great where it’s at and I don’t think anything needs to replace it. Grow little brush grow! Can’t wait to see what you turn into.

My little helper was trying to help and you would think she is pointing out the next plant I found but she is pointing at dogs in the next yard. (Got to love her for trying) I thought this was a aloe vera plant it would be cool but as I looked more into it I think it looks more like a Tropicbelle (Lomanadra Hystric). When going out in the yard I never really know what a plant looks like I just find them pretty. The Tropicbelle has long leafs and seem to grow a lot in our yard but still make the yard look pretty. Being that these grow everywhere in the yard it doesn’t seem to be an invader. This plant looks like a machine came in and made the grass super sized. I don’t think any plant should replace it, it’s not really hurting anyone. I don’t like killing plants if it wants to grow there and not hurting anything then way change it.

  

Now this plant well that’s what I thought first because it looked pretty but it’s actually a weed. It’s the careless pigweed (Amaranthus Palmeri) it’s a very pretty weed that would be hard to pull. I just love the purple flower on the top. This weed grew by a brush and a huge apple tree which I think looks very pretty right now because it has white flowers all over it. Weeds grow everywhere being that the apple tree gets a lot of water that this little invader thought it would just become part of our yard. Knowing now that this plant is a weed it might be best to pull it out. When touching it, it feels a little pokey and I wouldn’t want anything to hurt my niece if she playing by it.

Non-native invasive plant species can alter the ecosystem by taking over the space of other plants, killing off those plants, creating their own ecosystem, change what type of other organisms that grow in the area, and then they can create something beautiful that you couldn’t imagine changing because it’s just so perfect. I know it’s not the right answer it’s probably something like when other plants take over when they shouldn’t it changes what other things that live there and it might affect the way we live. But I really loved seeing that purple flower and I wouldn’t want anything different. Everything is beautiful and should be able to live just not if it’s going to hurt someone. 

Drying of the American West

Stop and think:

Part A…

1. Consider what the "squiggly lines" on the graphs of page 2 in the "How Low Can it Go?" article really mean... Use the graph of Lake Mead levels to describe a brief history of the reservoir. Tell when and how the reservoir got started, how long it took to fill, and mention events that affected its level.

Looking at the graph of Lake Mead you can notice the water levels were low due to drought in 1950 but it declining until that point. Lake Mead was also used to fill Lake Powell which took its water level down as well. Since then it grew once more, after 1999 when it was at 95% capacity it started to turn for the worse. In December 2004 it was only at 54% capacity. The reservoir was started just after the Hoover was built and it was named after Elwood Mead. It took seventeen years to completely fill Lake Mead, which started in 1916.

2. Beginning in 1964, how long did it take to capture enough water to fill both of the large reservoirs?

It wasn’t until 1980 to 1982 that both Lake Powell and Lake Mead were back up to full capacity after Lake Mead was used to fill Lake Powell.

3. The levels of Lake Powell and Lake Mead both show steep declines in the past decade. What are the two things that control the level of a reservoir?

The two things that controlled the water level in these two lakes were drought/usage and water supply from the Colorado River.

Part B…

4. Compare snowpack in a watershed to a dam on a river. How are they alike? How are they different?

When comparing snowpack and a dam they both hold back water so it can collect on the other side however a snowpack is not a permanent thing like a dam is, considering a dam is built to withstand pretty much anything. A dam allow water to flow through it and down in the river. A snowpack can’t control the water that runs through it and can’t be permanent.

5. What effect does the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have on water supplies to the Colorado River Basin?

The ENSO is a natural see-saw in oceanic sea surface temperatures and surface air pressure between the east and west tropical Pacific Ocean. When a La Nina event happens the area of intense rainfall is dragged back towards Australia and away from the Colorado River causing drought while the El Nino does just the opposite which in turn is good for us.

6. How does increasing population of sunbelt cities in the Lower Colorado River Basin contribute to lowering reservoir levels?

The sunbelt cities with one being Phoenix, uses up a good majority of the water supply which in turn has a harsh effect on the Colorado River Basin and it’s supply. If these cities keep increasing in size then they will being using too much water being it’s hot and the reservoir will be lowered.

7. In your own words, describe what's responsible for lower reservoir levels in the Colorado River Basin.

I believe that drought and over use of water supplies is responsible for lower reservoir. People that don’t get that their cities are in a drought use water to supply pools or to make their glass greener then everyone else.

8. List at least 3 possible impacts of the decline in water storage on the Colorado River.

3 possible impacts of declined water storage on the Colorado River would be the plant life that thrives off of water would be effected, shortages in both food and water would make the population of people decline, and the wildlife in the river itself would be affected if it continues.

Part C…

Checking in…

Describe the trend of water use in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and the country of Mexico.

I think a lot of states are using more water then what they are bring in and a lot of places borrow water from other places so that they can live.

How does water use in the states compare to the natural flow of the Colorado River over the same time period?

Looking at the graphs it shows that the states are using more water than the natural flow of the Colorado River. If things don’t change then we are going to have to face things that no one really wants.

How might the change in water levels affect you as a recreational boater? Give a specific example, naming features that are labeled in the pair of images.

If the water levels get low than boaters can’t be playing with their high priced toys and they won’t like that very well. Examples can be if a lake like Lake Pleasant has a low level in water they will close it until things change which has happened.

9. Calculate the percent increase in AZ water consumption between the years 1906 and 2008.

There is no data for 1906 and 2008, but the one they start off with is 1914 at 7296 and ends with 2006 at 2809571. This is a 273675 difference.

10. Based on the data in this section, describe what do you think will happen if the consumption of Colorado River Water continues to grow at its present rate. Have we reached the carrying capacity of the watershed? Explain your reasoning.

The rate we are going I think that the Colorado River could run dry, but that’s why we have people that know the levels so when things start getting bad they can add to the river. We can’t control the weather even through a lot of people think they can seeing that in Prescott the weather says it’s going to snow but I haven’t seen any so it’s proof you can’t tell when it’s going to do anything it’s a act of god. The people that care for these rivers are very smart and have a back up just in case things get bad.

11. Given that long term changes in climate are reducing inflows into the reservoir, and that outflows through Hoover Dam are growing to meet demand by an increasing population, what is the projected result in the reservoir? What would you need to know in order to predict the date of the result?

Since the reservoir has to meet the growing demand much like anything. It’s not lowering at a rate that’s noticeable, so there are currently no concerns about the reservoir. In order to know more about when or if the reservoir will be affected by this, you would have to know how much is being used but also how much you would expect back in between both the river and weather providing.

12. Based on data you examined in this lesson as well as other sources, do you think that reservoirs in arid lands prevent or merely postpone water shortages?

I feel that the reservoirs prevent water shortages, if it wasn’t for reservoirs I think it would be used already. So many uncaring people and a lot of people wanting to start their own gardens so they don’t have to pay for overpriced food.

Part D…

13. List the title of the photograph you chose and write a short paragraph to summarize the issue it illustrates.

The photograph I picked was the Los Padres National forest, being that a lot of places are in a huge drought season if someone is careless or as the Yarnell fire an act of god causes a fire. We have to use water from somewhere so we are making that place lower and have to give back to in some way.

14. Summarize the positive outlook with which the researchers end the article.

I believe that the researchers just want to prepare us for what could happen if things don’t change. There are laws that make people stop using water when there is a drought but a lot of people just really don’t care.