This blog is the represenation of the labs I completed Spring 2011 for my Methods of Field Ecology Course. I would like to say thank you to Professor Gilchrist who always provided an interesting, humorous, and stimulating lecture. Thanks for the great semester.
Sincerely,
Aidan
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Bird Diversity at the Shore
Group Members: Myself, Krystaal, Lauren, Kelsey (I won't post their last names for internet safety reasons)
Hypothesis: As the number of people present at the beach increases, we will see fewer bird species at the beach.
Where did we sample: North and South Lido Beach. We chose two separate beaches because one is a preserve park (South Lido) and further away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-centric St. Armands Circle. While North Lido is only about a hundred meters away from St. Armands Circle.
When: we sampled around 3:00 Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. We sampled each site twice a week. Each beach was sampled once during the week and once on the weekends. We did this to compensate for weekend crowds at the beach.
Assumptions: we assumed that people would not be as prevalent on the beaches during the week, thus giving us a good comparison.
How our data may have been skewed: Apart from plain mathematical human error it is possible that we could have miscounted the people on the beach or misidentified species since some of the gull species look remarkably similar when juvenile, first winter, or a different color morph.
Below you can find a GIS map of the species we found at North Lido and South Lido as well as a table representing the different weather conditions.
Our results proved insignificant because we did not have enough data. There was also an important outlier. The weekend of easter both beaches were packed. Though we did not have enough data to be significant, anectodally it was very clear that the fewer people on the beach the more species diversity in birds was apparent. Normally we saw more people at North Lido than at South Lido.
Species Observed: Laughing Gull (the most common species, appearing at every observation), Herring Gull (2nd most common), Ring Billed Gull (3rd most common), Sanderling (also 3rd most common), Willet, Double Crested Cormorant, Vulture (Turkey), Crow (unidentified between Fish Crow and American Crow), Brown Pelican (all seen in mating plumage), Least Tern, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Great Blue Heron (regularly seen at South Lido where we believe at least one heron to be roosting), Snowy Egret, White Ibis, American Golden Plover (female only), Black Skimmer, and Mockingbird.
Misidentification: The species likely misidentified were female American Golden Plover vs Sanderling and Laughing Gull, Herring Gull, and Ring Billed Gull juveniles.
The highlight of the experiment: Observing at South Lido and seeing a large group of Black Skimmers, Sandwich Terns, Royal Terns, Least Terns, and Common Terns all making a ruckus. Below is a picture of a flock of Black Skimmers.
Hypothesis: As the number of people present at the beach increases, we will see fewer bird species at the beach.
Where did we sample: North and South Lido Beach. We chose two separate beaches because one is a preserve park (South Lido) and further away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-centric St. Armands Circle. While North Lido is only about a hundred meters away from St. Armands Circle.
When: we sampled around 3:00 Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. We sampled each site twice a week. Each beach was sampled once during the week and once on the weekends. We did this to compensate for weekend crowds at the beach.
Assumptions: we assumed that people would not be as prevalent on the beaches during the week, thus giving us a good comparison.
How our data may have been skewed: Apart from plain mathematical human error it is possible that we could have miscounted the people on the beach or misidentified species since some of the gull species look remarkably similar when juvenile, first winter, or a different color morph.
Below you can find a GIS map of the species we found at North Lido and South Lido as well as a table representing the different weather conditions.
Our results proved insignificant because we did not have enough data. There was also an important outlier. The weekend of easter both beaches were packed. Though we did not have enough data to be significant, anectodally it was very clear that the fewer people on the beach the more species diversity in birds was apparent. Normally we saw more people at North Lido than at South Lido.
Species Observed: Laughing Gull (the most common species, appearing at every observation), Herring Gull (2nd most common), Ring Billed Gull (3rd most common), Sanderling (also 3rd most common), Willet, Double Crested Cormorant, Vulture (Turkey), Crow (unidentified between Fish Crow and American Crow), Brown Pelican (all seen in mating plumage), Least Tern, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Great Blue Heron (regularly seen at South Lido where we believe at least one heron to be roosting), Snowy Egret, White Ibis, American Golden Plover (female only), Black Skimmer, and Mockingbird.
Misidentification: The species likely misidentified were female American Golden Plover vs Sanderling and Laughing Gull, Herring Gull, and Ring Billed Gull juveniles.
The highlight of the experiment: Observing at South Lido and seeing a large group of Black Skimmers, Sandwich Terns, Royal Terns, Least Terns, and Common Terns all making a ruckus. Below is a picture of a flock of Black Skimmers.
Microbial Communities on a Salt Concentration Gradient 9C
I completed this lab with the help of the lovely Krystaal. Below you can see our data table.
1. Our experiment compares with Whitaker's study of trees in the Great Smokey Mountains because we both measured at regular intervals along a gradient.
2. Clements would predict no overlap between gradients. Gleason would predict overlap.
3. The model that best represents our data is the Gleason model because the same species was found in different infusions.
4. I definitely expect different results, but not drastically different results. The spring water used would still have salt in it from being salty in the first place.
5. I did not sniff the samples, though by the end many of them looked the same. Some samples because more mucus-like in consistency with what I can only describe as "goop" growing in them. I would expect different types of bacteria to grow in different salt concentrations. I know this from personal experience since I lent Krystaal salt to make salt water to clean her new piercings.
1. Our experiment compares with Whitaker's study of trees in the Great Smokey Mountains because we both measured at regular intervals along a gradient.
2. Clements would predict no overlap between gradients. Gleason would predict overlap.
3. The model that best represents our data is the Gleason model because the same species was found in different infusions.
4. I definitely expect different results, but not drastically different results. The spring water used would still have salt in it from being salty in the first place.
5. I did not sniff the samples, though by the end many of them looked the same. Some samples because more mucus-like in consistency with what I can only describe as "goop" growing in them. I would expect different types of bacteria to grow in different salt concentrations. I know this from personal experience since I lent Krystaal salt to make salt water to clean her new piercings.
Niches of Birds at a Feeding Station 8B
Though Professor Gilchrist saw mockingbirds and white ibis at the feeding station, my multiple attempts early in the day, afternoon, and sunset did not reveal any birds using the feeder. Only squirrels. However, bird beaks often dictate what the bird eats (or what the bird eats, long ago determined the beak type). I have included a two handy charts for bill-type and feeding niche.
GIS: Project and Thoughts
Special thanks to the wonderful Dr. Jennifer Shafer who taught me GIS.
Project: GIS (Geographic Information System) is a new way to effectively analyize spatial data. During January 2011 we used GIS to map part of the coast of Sarasota Bay. We looked specifically for types of shorelines, docks and jetties, and outflows that might inhibit restoration along the shore line. We then made maps to present our analysis of the data we collected. Unfortunately, I cannot upload TIFF files or PDFs to my blog so I cannot show off my fabulous maps.
Thoughts: GIS is literally applicable to everything as long as sufficient data is gathered and digitized properly. It is an invaluable tool that I would like to see used more often and encouraged at New College. However, I should point out that ArcGIS is one of the most complicated interfaces I've ever worked with. I do not think I have ever worked with a less intiutive program. It is impossible for GIS to become a less complicated kind of program, however if one needs a degree in GIS to fully understand everything that it is capable of then the software is not useful to most people in the world. I believe that GIS is applicable to every field, however until its design is simplified it will not take off as useful for most people. Though it is worth noting that despite its complexity some people, like myself, use it anyways.
GIS is proving to be particularly helpful in the environmental field. One project in particular, the Natura 2000 project aims "to raising awareness of Natura 2000 the Europe-wide network of sites tasked with the preservation of your natural heritage." Below is the site for further information.
Natura 2000
Project: GIS (Geographic Information System) is a new way to effectively analyize spatial data. During January 2011 we used GIS to map part of the coast of Sarasota Bay. We looked specifically for types of shorelines, docks and jetties, and outflows that might inhibit restoration along the shore line. We then made maps to present our analysis of the data we collected. Unfortunately, I cannot upload TIFF files or PDFs to my blog so I cannot show off my fabulous maps.
Thoughts: GIS is literally applicable to everything as long as sufficient data is gathered and digitized properly. It is an invaluable tool that I would like to see used more often and encouraged at New College. However, I should point out that ArcGIS is one of the most complicated interfaces I've ever worked with. I do not think I have ever worked with a less intiutive program. It is impossible for GIS to become a less complicated kind of program, however if one needs a degree in GIS to fully understand everything that it is capable of then the software is not useful to most people in the world. I believe that GIS is applicable to every field, however until its design is simplified it will not take off as useful for most people. Though it is worth noting that despite its complexity some people, like myself, use it anyways.
GIS is proving to be particularly helpful in the environmental field. One project in particular, the Natura 2000 project aims "to raising awareness of Natura 2000 the Europe-wide network of sites tasked with the preservation of your natural heritage." Below is the site for further information.
Natura 2000
Comparing Exponential and Logistic Growth 4B
This experiment looks at the population growth of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Addo National Park in South Africa over the span of 23 years. Below you will find a graph of my table (at the top Observed Numb is meant to say Observed Number, but I cut it too close on accident) and my graphs done in Excel. Special thanks to the wonderful Dr. Jennifer Shafer who taught me how to effectively use Excel graphs and taught me the importance of color choice for graphs.
1. Darwin was only mildly conservative in his population estimates. The population did triple but at a slower growth rate.
2. As a park manager I would like to institute some sort of controlled breeding since the Addo Elephants may someday reach their carrying capacity. This can be a problem since a park has limited space and resources. What I would like to do is encourage a genetic study of the Addo elephants so that I, as a park manager, can keep track of who is breeding and their genetics, this way I can manage breedings for the most genetic biodiversity and still have a breeding population of elephants. If the population got too out of control I would not encourage culling the population nor would I encourage a chemical birth control method. I think a better means of population control, that still encourages genetic diversity, would be translocating some elephants into different parks that have limited genetic diversity.
3. To determine a more realistic value for K I would first look at the amount of resources (food, space, and water) available in the park. Then I would consider how much of each resource does one elephant need. This would give me a better idea of the carrying capacity of elephants in my park.
4. Some of the factors that have been limiting population growth in humans since 1978 are medicine, environmentalism, and agriculture. Effective means of birth control, longer life spans due to medicine (less adult death and less infant death), and advanced medicine for diseases that are harmful to people have altered "r" and increased "K". Environmentalism also plays a big role. I believe many people have noticed the rapid population growth of the human race and are abstaining from making their own offspring and instead adopting, or abstaining from children all together. I also believe that religion has always had an effect on the population, until recently when the Pope condoned the use of contraceptives. Finally, the recent ability for huge large scale farms increase the availability of food, with the increase of food comes an increase in population. I believe that we have only postponed Malthus' fears.
5. I have no clue what the global carrying capacity is for the human race. I believe at the rate we are reproducing we will not have enough resources to sustain ourselves and keep the planet healthy. I try to do my part in limiting my resources as much as possible. I also believe the human race will colonize the moon before our resources run out.
1. Darwin was only mildly conservative in his population estimates. The population did triple but at a slower growth rate.
2. As a park manager I would like to institute some sort of controlled breeding since the Addo Elephants may someday reach their carrying capacity. This can be a problem since a park has limited space and resources. What I would like to do is encourage a genetic study of the Addo elephants so that I, as a park manager, can keep track of who is breeding and their genetics, this way I can manage breedings for the most genetic biodiversity and still have a breeding population of elephants. If the population got too out of control I would not encourage culling the population nor would I encourage a chemical birth control method. I think a better means of population control, that still encourages genetic diversity, would be translocating some elephants into different parks that have limited genetic diversity.
3. To determine a more realistic value for K I would first look at the amount of resources (food, space, and water) available in the park. Then I would consider how much of each resource does one elephant need. This would give me a better idea of the carrying capacity of elephants in my park.
4. Some of the factors that have been limiting population growth in humans since 1978 are medicine, environmentalism, and agriculture. Effective means of birth control, longer life spans due to medicine (less adult death and less infant death), and advanced medicine for diseases that are harmful to people have altered "r" and increased "K". Environmentalism also plays a big role. I believe many people have noticed the rapid population growth of the human race and are abstaining from making their own offspring and instead adopting, or abstaining from children all together. I also believe that religion has always had an effect on the population, until recently when the Pope condoned the use of contraceptives. Finally, the recent ability for huge large scale farms increase the availability of food, with the increase of food comes an increase in population. I believe that we have only postponed Malthus' fears.
5. I have no clue what the global carrying capacity is for the human race. I believe at the rate we are reproducing we will not have enough resources to sustain ourselves and keep the planet healthy. I try to do my part in limiting my resources as much as possible. I also believe the human race will colonize the moon before our resources run out.
Calculating r From A Published Data Set 4A
First of all if you have never seen an Egyptian Goose here is what they look like:
Photo Courtesy of: Sonja Vinck
Below you will find the table of my data and graph representative of that data. Krystaal helped me out with the graph since I do not have graph paper nor do I have the ToolPak for Excel (though Excel really should come with all the necessary tools, but I digress).
1. The exponential growth equation is Nt =N0(e^rt) (I can't get the formatting right). Nt is the population at the time of observation (variable). N0 is the initial population (constant). e is a mathematical constant (2.718). r is the rate of growth of a population (constant). t is time (variable).
2. In 1994 the population estimate for the Egyptian goose was 7,666 (which is higher than the number of geese actually observed). I believe that this may be due to predation (an increase in prey = an increase in opportunity for predation) or it may just be human error.
3. The method we used for calculating "r" is more reliable because points on the graph may not fall on the line of best fit. Choosing only two points on the data table would mean holes in your analysis.
4. A brief word on Egyptian Geese. Originally from Africa, there are many feral populations in Europe in places like the Netherlands. Their increase in population in Europe may be because it is up to meso-predators (raccoons, foxes, possums, etc) to limit the population. It is likely that there are fewer predators in Netherlands that prey upon the Egyptian Goose. To equate the feral Egyptian Goose to a similar invasive waterfowl, imagine the population of Muscovy Ducks in Florida.
5. Another famous exotic invasive bird species is the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). In 1890 a man by the name of Eugene Schieffelin (president of the American Acclimatization Society at the time) decided to release every bird species named in all of Shakespeare's works into Central Park, New York. There are roughly 200 million European Starlings in America all descended from the 60-100 birds that Eugene let loose in New York. This event is considered an environmental disaster (because "STARLING-OCALYPSE" is too hard to say). This highly invasive bird edges out native species and destroys crops. They also travel in huge flocks which pose a threat to air travel. Their droppings are highly corrosive and cause millions of dollars worth of damage to buildings every year. Irony of ironies, the European Starling is now considered rare, vulnerable, with populations declining in it's native European habitat (including England). Below is a picture of an adult European Starling.
Below you will find the table of my data and graph representative of that data. Krystaal helped me out with the graph since I do not have graph paper nor do I have the ToolPak for Excel (though Excel really should come with all the necessary tools, but I digress).
1. The exponential growth equation is Nt =N0(e^rt) (I can't get the formatting right). Nt is the population at the time of observation (variable). N0 is the initial population (constant). e is a mathematical constant (2.718). r is the rate of growth of a population (constant). t is time (variable).
2. In 1994 the population estimate for the Egyptian goose was 7,666 (which is higher than the number of geese actually observed). I believe that this may be due to predation (an increase in prey = an increase in opportunity for predation) or it may just be human error.
3. The method we used for calculating "r" is more reliable because points on the graph may not fall on the line of best fit. Choosing only two points on the data table would mean holes in your analysis.
4. A brief word on Egyptian Geese. Originally from Africa, there are many feral populations in Europe in places like the Netherlands. Their increase in population in Europe may be because it is up to meso-predators (raccoons, foxes, possums, etc) to limit the population. It is likely that there are fewer predators in Netherlands that prey upon the Egyptian Goose. To equate the feral Egyptian Goose to a similar invasive waterfowl, imagine the population of Muscovy Ducks in Florida.
5. Another famous exotic invasive bird species is the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). In 1890 a man by the name of Eugene Schieffelin (president of the American Acclimatization Society at the time) decided to release every bird species named in all of Shakespeare's works into Central Park, New York. There are roughly 200 million European Starlings in America all descended from the 60-100 birds that Eugene let loose in New York. This event is considered an environmental disaster (because "STARLING-OCALYPSE" is too hard to say). This highly invasive bird edges out native species and destroys crops. They also travel in huge flocks which pose a threat to air travel. Their droppings are highly corrosive and cause millions of dollars worth of damage to buildings every year. Irony of ironies, the European Starling is now considered rare, vulnerable, with populations declining in it's native European habitat (including England). Below is a picture of an adult European Starling.
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