UPDATED - Scientific Orientation

After breakfast, we had the great opportunity to hear about climate change, evidence, and possible responses and actions from Bert Drake, a well respected climate scientist whose training in in plant physiology. His curriculum vitae (fancy academic language for resume) can be found at http://www.serc.si.edu/people/resumes/drake_cv.htm. Note that he got his MS at CSU, which also happens to be a major center for climate modeling. He thinks that he'd like to come to our school to make his presentation to you if we can come up with airfare and a lift ticket.

We then heard from Jeff Lombardo, who was standing in for the senior scientist for out study. The senior scientist is named Jess Parker. His web site can be found at http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/forest_ecology/index.jsp. We have already met many of the permanent staff, who are listed on the "People and Contacts" page, which is accessible in the left column of that page. Jeff told us a lot more about what we'll be doing, which is pretty cool--actually pretty darned cold today.

On this chilly morning, we went out into the field with Nancy Kahn for orientation. The forest is full of poison ivy and nasty, invasive rose bushes, I already lost one battle against a rose bush, but I hope to do better. In the picture, the hairy-rooted vine is poison ivy. We went to see one of the studied plots so that we could understand what we are going to be doing. Mostly, we'll be identifying trees, vines, and shrubs, measuring them, describing the amount of sunlight available to them, and mapping them. Then we'll tag them with unique number plates so that in future years researchers will be able to examine what has happened. Click on the photo of the tree with ivy; in it, you can see that the tree and the ivy have had identifying tags nailed onto them. Because the poison ivy is over 1 cm DBH (diameter at breast height), even it must be tagged and mapped. Dangerous business, since the oils can get on the skin and cause a reaction, even in the winter. On the positive side, at least the ticks seem to be dead or inactive...






Analysis of the data should yield a plot like the one shown here. It will contain loads of information. We hope to provide baseline data for about 1/3 of a hectare to complete the current plot. In a way, each plotted area is a quadrat study--like an advanced version of our square meter of turf. They tell us that this study has been funded by HSBC to the tune of 100 million dollars. I'll try to confirm that number soon. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with this map of the plots being examined at SERC. Tomorrow the weather will be better, so we'll try to work like crazy to get done before the rain on Wednesday. We also hope to climb above the canopy on a research platform to get a good view of the property. The tower is shown on the map. Also shown are stumps from logged areas. One of the concepts under consideration is the effect of logging on biodiversity, population dynamics, and efficacy of carbon sequestration (as evidenced by accumulated biomass). I'll provide more details as I receive them!