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

Earthwatch Climate Change

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!