Getting Ready for New Orleans!
I am so excited to embark on this amazing journey in less than a month! My team will work together to collect data and answer the most pressing issues related to climate change. We will be assisting researchers from Tulane University through the examination of factors affecting interactions between caterpillars and their natural enemies – an important area of study for both agricultural and basic ecology.Did you know that the Earth has warmed by about 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past 100 years? But why? And how? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer. I think learning about some of the terms related to climate change may be a good place for us to start! In class we will be discussing these terms and learning about how they relate to the expedition in New Orleans.
- Climate vs. Weather
- Biodiversity
- Greenhouse Effect
- Global Warming
Scientists have to think like detectives. They look for clues to help them understand how the world works. Then they investigate the clues to find evidence – real facts that can give them a better idea of what is going on. Just like finding evidence when we read, scientists have to gather evidence about the climate in many different ways. In order to better understand climate change and caterpillars, it is important to learn about the climate of southeastern Louisiana that represents the community of the Mississippi River Plain, where I will be collecting caterpillar specimens. According to my expedition briefing, the weather is cooler in the spring and should be between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
What else can you tell me about the climate and habitat in the Pearl River Wildlife area? Check out the websites below, which may help you with your research.
Habitats of Southeastern Louisiana
Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
In my briefing, we were told about hazards that we may encounter.Based on what you learned about the animals and vegetation in this habitat, what are some of the hazards you think I will encounter? Do you have any advice as to how I should prepare for these things?
I look forward to hearing your responses! Please post your ideas in the comments section. Stay tuned for more news as I prepare for my journey!
posted by Ms. Coleman @ 5:30 PM
34 Comments:
Ms. Coleman,
I look forward to learning from you and your investigations. When can we expect your first video blog?!?
Mr. Pendleton
Good Luck! and don't forget your bug spray.
A terrific way to engage the students in this special activity.
Vicki
Ms. Coleman,
Be careful about snakes and alligators. These can be very dangerous animals. Keep an eye out for them and don't bother them. You could also try and wear long pants and boots to protect against snakes.
From,
Kees and Ellison
Ms. Coleman,
Cholera! Be careful about the water you drink, it may have Cholera in it. You can catch it by drinking water that has dropping particles in it. Cholera is a very deadly disease.
Happy trip,
Kees and Julian
P.S.
Don't forget to wear boots!
Dear Ms. Coleman,
You should bring good boots (for all the water you'll be in), good gloves (to work in the woods), and wear a bright vest or jacket (so hunters don't shoot you by accident). Also be careful of feral hogs, and alligators.
From, Lucas
Dear Ms.Coleman,
On the hunt for caterpllars I hope you find new speices!!!! Watch out for dangerous animals like snakes and stuff.
Bye,Justin
Dear Ms.Coleman,
Watch out for snakes. I hope you find new species!!!!
Sincerely,
Justin
Some hazards could be snakes or aligators, but if you don't bother them, they won't bother you. Also be carful of where you step, in case of poison ivy. Leaves of three, leave me be! Try to wear long pants and covered shoes. Like some other person said, don't forget the bugspray!
The ground can be wetter than you think, so maybe boots would be a good idea.
From,Eva
Do not prevoke any hornets or poisonus snakes. Stay away from aligators because they could eat you! Make sure they don't get your scent just incase they're very hungry. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!
From: Ben
My answer to the first question is that it is marshy and has swamps. The climate is marshy and humid so pack lots of water. Try to wear things to protect yourself from such things as snakes and alligators
Nicholas Rennie
Dear Ms. Coleman,
One thing I think you should keep a look out for is poisons snakes. Where boots to protect your self. Another thing that might be a hazard is alligator. The reason I think this is because the area is swampy and alligators like swamps. Don’t bother them and they won’t bother you.
-Ellie
Ms.Coleman,
I am so excited that you are going on this trip! Just like Ellison and Kees, I think you should be careful of snakes and alligators. Maybe put on high boots to keep the snakes from biting you. I think you should also prepare for mosquitos by using bug spray. And put some bug spray on for ticks too. I hope you have lots of fun on your trip!
From,
Hunter
Ms.Coleman,
Some of the hazards could be snakes and alligators. Try to stay as far as you can from them. You should also wear boots and long pants so the snakes don't think yor feet are prey. Good Luck!
From,
Amy
I think some of the hazards would be wild animals like black bears.Also maybe poisoness plants and animals would be hazards.I think you should wear gloves a long shirt and pants.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
I think the climate there will be swampy and the it will probably be pretty humid and warm cause its closer to closer to the equator
from,
Rebecca
Ms. Coleman,
Like Kees and I said, I think that some hazards could be snakes and alligators. To be prepared for snakes don't bother them and they won't bother you. Tips for seeing alligators are don't crowd them and then they won't do anything to you. They can be very dangerous and scary animals but once you know these tips they won't seem as scary and frightening. Still kaeep an eye out for them though!
Ellison
Hi ms.coleman it's michael (: . I think you should watch out for aligators,snakes and ticks make sure to check yourself everyday. Wear boots,gloves and other protective clothing. Make sure to have fun bye from michael 4-15-09
Ms.Coleman,
I think that some things that you should be careful about are poisonous caterpillars. They may use defences like: Poison Glands and Stick Hair. Also something to look out for is gooey ond thick mud. Yoou may get stuck and sink into the ground.... To protect from that, Bring a stick and poke the ground while you walk around and bring a few teacher/scientists to help you if you get stuck in the mud. - Sidharth
Ms. Coleman,
I would recommend bringing high boots, because there could be snakes and little creatures etc . I would also recommend watching out for bala ants so I recommend wearing long pants, and its also good because there could be some poisonous snakes around.
Love, Erin
Any animals that are around swampy areas can be dangerous. Such as snakes and alligators, these animals can attack unexpectedly so always keep an eye on the animal. Don't touch, hurt, or get them mad in any sort of way and you should be good.
Some other hazards could be the swamps. Sometimes near swamps there could be grass that looks like theres no water but there is.
What I recommend is to always look at where you step. The other thing about swampy areas is that it rains a fair amount so the rocks, leafs, and sticks/logs would be slippery. So again watch where your stepping.
Dear Ms. Coleman,
I just want to confirm that alligators do not eat humans. Also, alligators do not eat untill there body tempurature is at least 70 degrees. Crocodiles do eat humans if bothered. Is it warm enough for crocodiles?
Your Student, Emma
It think that you should beware of alligators and snakes are also dangerous. You might see some poisonous spiders.
Dear Ms. Coleman,
The answer to C1 is ,I think, Caterpiler poop [frass]
your student,Milana
Dear ms.Coleman,
I liked reading your blog and talking to you through skype. To answer your challenge questions, I think that the things on leaf is either poop or eggs. I think that the type of caterpillar is an Orgyia Definta and I think that in the video the caterpillars are eating something. Hope to see your next blog!
-Ellie
Ms. Coleman,
To answer challenge question 1, we think it is either aphids, poop, or eggs. For the second challenge question, we think it is the White-Marked Tussock Moth. We think the answer for the third challenge question is for mating. And the answer for your normal question is, well we thought it looked like bird poop.
We also had a question for you: what's the big pole in your picture for?
Your students,
Kees and Ellison
Dear mscoleman
Mscoleman, Austin and I(Brandon) found out what the yellow caterpillar is. A White Marked Tussok Moth.
Austin and Brandon
Dear Ms.Coleman,
The answer to C2 is Orgyia Definita
Dear Ms. Coleman,
We think that the stuff on the leaf is poop or eggs. The caterpillar in challenge 2 is a ogyia definta, discovered by G. Gentfy. In the last challenge we thought that they were male caterpillars looking for a mate.
Your Student,
Emma and Rebecca
Dear Ms. Coleman,
I think that the caterpillars are eating some thing on the tree or their making a nest.
Your Student
Milana
Dear Ms.Coleman we think for the first, second and third that the first question is caterpillar eggs bag worm the third is they are spinning a web from your students silja and julian
Dear Ms.Coleman,
How do you determine the sex of a caterpillar? How do you determine the species of a caterpillar?
Your students,
Beccaline and Emmaline
Dear Ms. Coleman,
We read your blog and we responded to your challenges. We thought that there were caterpillar eggs on the leaf that you showed us. Also, the caterpillar in the picture is an Orgyia Definita, or Tussock moth. The colony of caterpillars were probably eating.
From Eva and Hunter
Dear Ms.Coleman,
I hope you're having a great time.
On challenge #3 I think that the caterpillars were trying to find food. Oh and nice music.
your student, Ben
1. Caterpiller poop
2. Lymantriidae
3. I think that they were eating or looking for food
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