Climate Change and Forests with Ms. Shannon

Using a Dendrometer and Other Information

2008-12-05T11:05:00.025-06:00

Hello Sabercats,

Today I went back out to measure and tag more trees with Loren Chasse, Stacey Cahn, Jackie Scherer, and scientist Jeff Lombardo. Jeff showed us how the dendrometer can be used to determine how much the trees that we tag grow. We did not install any dendrometers yet.

Several of you have offered some terrific questions and I have done my best to find answers or resources we can consult to find the answers.

Many of you have asked about UVb radiation and why it might be important to collect this data to know more about the aquatic ecosystem in Chesapeake Bay. Visit UV Effects on the Aquatic Environments page to learn more about how UVb affects the organisms in this environment. After reading just the first paragraph of this page it appears that plankton may be affected negatively by increased UV radiation and have reduced photosynthesis when UVb is high. What do you think? Why might this be important to monitor in an aquatic ecosystem.

I also had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jess Parker about the Ultraviolet radiation in the forest and he shared that the plants do respond to the UV. The leaves at the top of the trees recieving the most UV radiation contain different pigments that help to protect the tree. The leaves on lower branches of the same tree do not contain these same protective pigments.

A couple of you asked how long it takes for a tree to decompose and leave only a mound from the "pits and mounds" post. Jeff and Nancy agreed that it would probably take at least 50 years for the large trees to decompose to this point. However, there are factors such as the type of tree, its size, weather conditions, and where in the forest the tree is would all affect the rate at which the tree would decompose.

Zach M. asked about the data that has already been collected at SERC and how that data has contributed to what we understand today to be happening to our climate. Changes in CO2 has been recorded here for 30 years and differences in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has been detected. The study we are participating in is looking at biomass changes and has tracked the growth of 10,000 square meter plot for the last 13 years. Take a look at Dr. Jess Parker's research at the Forest Ecology Lab Publications or the Forest Growth and Global Carbon Cycle page. Dr. Parker also reminded us that the work that we are doing this week will create the structure for ongoing data collection about the biomass of this forest and how carbon is being cycled here. Hopefully, during your presentations with Janis Slater and Deborah Dalton you discussed that CO2 can be sequestered in forests which is important for keeping the atmospheric CO2 levels down.

This afternoon I also asked Dr. Parker about the rainwater collection, including why the samples have to be collected and analyzed so quickly and what chemicals they are looking for in the samples. He shared that it is important to evaluate what is in the rainwater quickly and carefully because it is mostly water and anything that contaminates the sample seriously changes its composition. The rainwater could possibly have about six really important ions it: sodium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, hydrogen, sulfate, and nitrate. Sulfate and nitrate are important because they are by products of human activities. Sulfate ions are produced from burning coal and nitrate is produced from the incomplete combustion of fuel in cars. The pH of the rainwater is one of the very first things that must be measured because it can change quickly.

You guys have had some really super questions. This has been really terrific!

Forest Fun

2008-12-04T21:02:00.003-06:00

Hello,

Yesterday when we were finished checking rain gauge measurements, we were goofing around and I managed to capture some of our best moments with the camera. The other two teachers in the pictures are Loren Chasse (San Francisco) and Stacey Cahn (New York). To find out more about the rain gauge measurements see Stacey's blog at: www.earthwatch2.org/lff/cahn

By the way that is a mocker nut (hickory) shell on my nose. Loren and Stacey play in a hollowed tree.

Solar data collected at SERC

2008-12-04T06:28:00.002-06:00

Hello!

Yesterday after working on tree identification in the morning, we climbed a tower near the dorms to take a look at some of the solar radiation data that is collected at SERC. UVb radiation, the type responsible for giving you a sun burn can cause large changes in the aquatic environments in the Chesapeake Bay. Data has been collected for the last 30 years at this research center and is one of the longest records of the amount of UVb radiation is reaching the Bay area. In the pictures you will see rain buckets also, these buckets of rain are collected immediately after a rain event and the chemistry of the rainwater is analyzed back in one of the labs. All of the instruments are also connected to computers at the bottom of the tower to record information constantly. The metal spikes are in place to keep large birds (eagles) from nesting on the tower.

Take a look at SERC's Photobiology and Solar Radiation measurement and monitoring methods by clicking here.

Pits and Mounds

2008-12-03T13:03:00.014-06:00

Hello Students,

In the mature forest we have seen trees of different ages, but the trees that can grow tall to reach the sunlight dominate these areas. During our measurements we have noticed several dead trees on the forest floor. Scientist Jeff Lombardo told us about a phenomenon in mature forests called "Pits and Mounds" When very old trees are knocked over they create a new environment for new species to thrive. Have you ever seen this before? What new organisms do you think are best able to take advantage of this new environment? What do you think it might mean for other trees in the area if a large tree falls?

Just in case you are wondering, we all wear bright orange vests because it is hunting season and there is a managed hunt going on at SERC. The vests also make it easier for us to spot one another in the woods.

Collecting tree data

2008-12-03T12:44:00.003-06:00

Hello Southmoore,

Yesterday and this morning we went out to the forest and collected data regarding the trees in a mature subplot in the woods. We had to collect several pieces of information. Each tree with a "diameter at breast height" of 1 centimeter or greater was identified and tagged with a number and the x and y coordinates of the tree within the 10 square meter subplot were determined and recorded. On my team you will see Janice (Lousianna), Stacey (New York) and Jackie (Texas) collecting and recording data. Between yesterday and today our teams tagged over 200 trees for this study. In five years the data will be collected again to find out how the trees in the area have changed. One of the scientists who assisted us today, Rebecca Wadler told me that it has been predicted the data that our teacher teams are helping to collect would take a single person 30 years to collect. Since Earthwatch brings volunteers into the field, data collection should take about 1/6th of that time.

The Forests of SERC

2008-12-01T15:45:00.006-06:00

Hello,

Today before our learning sessions began, I took a walk with a couple of the other teachers and we discovered Muddy Creek. It was beautiful as you can see. A few hours later Dr. Jess Parker took us on a tour which included immature, intermediate, and "old growth" forest examples. At the end of the day, we took another walk to Hog Island. During our learning sessions we discovered the purpose of the research project we will be working on. Tomorrow, we will add to the baseline (beginning) data for a study here at the North American Research Center (NARC) another name for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). The study examines the diversity and spatial distribution of different tree species within specific areas of the research center. I will work with the 6 other teachers who are here to install long-term structures (study plots) and map the trees within the study plot. Mapping the trees involves measuring the diameter (actually circumference) at 1.3 meters from the ground. This measurement is used to calculate the volume of the tree and based on the density of the particular species to calculate the amount of biomass which the tree accounts for. In other words, we are trying to figure out how massive these trees are, more later about why this is important. We also make observations about the canopy of the tree relative to the trees neighboring it. After all of this "learning" we went outside to practice on 16 trees designed for this purpose. ( Click here to see Stacey Leichman Cahn's blog video of the practice activities). After practicing we compared our results and discussed possible error that could affect the data. Can you think of at least one possible error I might make which could adversely affect the accuracy of the data I am collecting?

It is 5:00 now, and I have another learning session about Cultural Perceptions of Climate Change in about 30 minutes.

The pictures included in this post are of Muddy Creek, Dr. Jess Parker, and from my walk this afternoon and the measurement practice time.

Arriving...

2008-11-30T20:51:00.003-06:00

Hello Southmoore,

After traveling this morning, I arrived at the SERC here in Edgewater, Maryland. I met 5 of the 6 other teachers who will be participating in this research experience and we shared our first meal in our Dorm. The tree picture is just outside the door to our dorm. I will work on my camera skills and hopefully, I will have some better examples of the forest life to show you tomorrow. In the morning, I will learn more about the research that I will be participating in and have a safety training before I begin to practice the skills that I will learn and use in the field.

Please work hard and pay attention to Dr. Basara as he shares with you about Oklahoma Weather and Climate.

Heading out!

2008-11-29T19:56:00.002-06:00

Hello Sabercats,

It is about 8:00 p.m., after a busy day of organizing and errand running I am finally packed. After 4 days of sleeping in I must awaken by 4:00 a.m. to make my flight to Memphis and then Baltimore, Maryland. Tomorrow should be a pretty easy day once I arrive at the SERC.

Until then.....Kate Shannon

Litter in our Environment

2008-11-28T06:15:00.002-06:00

Hello Southmoore,

Many of you have been making comments to the posts on my blog; thank you for joining me. A couple of comments suggested that recycling is an important process to keeping our environment healthy. Today I would appreciate you taking a look at the work of one man who began his journey to a better local environment by removing litter. Chad Pregracke undertook an ominous task. While in high school he launched a one person campaign to clean up the Mississippi river and in the process motivated thousands of community members to become better stewards of the environment. Visit the links below to find out more about Chad and his work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmZoMqTwZZ4

http://www.livinglandsandwaters.org/About/chad.htm

How did Chad accomplish his goal of cleaning up the Mississippi? What characteristics does he possess that help him to be successful?

I hope you enjoyed learning more about Chad, I am really amazed and inspired by his story. How can we impact problems like this in our area?

"The Green Belt Movement"

2008-11-23T18:36:00.006-06:00

Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her collaborative efforts to improve her country's environment and empower others. Many books provide biographies of her life and her personal accomplishments, but the "Green Belt Movement" which she facillitated continues to provide renewable resources to the people of her homeland, Kenya. The Green Belt Movement created jobs, mobilized communities to problem-solve together, raised awareness of environmental issues, resulted in reforestation, and improved the image of women in Kenya. You can read and hear more about Wangari Maathai at:

http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2004/maathai-bio.html

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/05/podcast-wangari-maathai-1.php

What type of mobilization can you imagine in our community? How can we increase and maintain awareness about environment issues here in Oklahoma?

Making Good Choices

2008-11-21T17:07:00.003-06:00

Hello Sabercats,

After our discussion today regarding the technological challenges of our situation, I did some thinking. If you can commit to visiting the blog often from a convenient site away from school, I know that we can successfully engage in meaningful dialogue about the presentations and activities which you are participating in during my absence.

Take a look at the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/ Scroll down to the "Where I Live" section on the left side of the page and type in your zip code to find out how your electricty is generated. How do you compare with the national averages for emissions? Find out how you can make a difference.

What do you think of the options listed? Can you find a green provider? How can you use energy more efficiently?

I hope to see comments from you soon.

Getting Ready

2008-11-21T02:17:00.009-06:00

Hello Southmoore,

This blog will be an important tool to share the new things I am learning in Edgewater, Maryland. In 9 days I will be at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and I am excited to have this new experience. During the week, I will help collect data in a forest near the Chesapeake Bay. I look forward to being in "the woods", even if it might be chilly. The pictures posted are from a "back-country" camping trip I took in June. This forest has bears and mountain lions. I wonder what type of mammals I will see at the SERC. How do you think that the forest in Northeast will compare to the Sangre De Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains?