Day One of our Eartwatch Institute expedition began at a leisurely pace. After rising from a restless night, our last of four at Hotel Quito, I showered and then strolled the grounds of the hotel, again impressed by the mild climate, expansive views of the Inter-Andean valley, and the manicured landscape and inviting amenities of the property at which I had just spent my first few nights in Ecuador.
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| Hotel Quito |
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| Hotel Quito, view from Mr. B's balcony |
By 8:30 a.m. I was meeting my teammates in the 7th Floor restaurant for a buffet breakfast and some excited talk about our coming adventure in the cloud forest. In less than two hours we'd be loading a small bus and then bounding through the Andes en route to the Yanayacu Biological Station and Center for Creative Studies. Our 3.5-hour trip took us on a climb out of the city and up the mountains, reaching a peak of 14,000 feet before descending the eastern slope of the Andes.
At the summit, our expedition leader, Dr. Tom Walla of Colorado Mesa University, asked our bus driver to pull over. Dr. Walla wanted us to experience the elevation and to enjoy some wildflowers and other vegetation. Perhaps the most interesting plant amid the tundra-like vegetation was the gunnera. At that elevation, the plants leaves were small and resembled a small geranium, growing low to the ground and no larger than a silver dollar. Dr. Walla told us to later be on the lookout as we neared the 7,000-foot level; here the same plants would be huge, growing taller and fanning out to the size of a large beachball.
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| Dr. Tom Walla |
While our little pit stop atop the mountain was educational, it was also a rather miserable experience; the elevation brought cold temps and freezing rain that soaked our ill-prepared team and stung our faces. We scampered back to the awaiting bus and made our way down the eastern slopes. The drive was beautiful as we found ourselves surrounded by lush, green mountainsides covered by ferns, bamboo, countless trees, roaming cows, small villages and outposts, and a few llamas here and there. We made two more pit stops (one for gas and one for snacks) in small towns and then turned off the main road onto a rougher and windier gravel road which would lead us 5 km to Yanayacu.
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| Baeza |
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| Baeza |
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| Baeza |
Once settled into our cabin-like rooms of single or bunk beds, we assembled for a late lunch and then donned our rain gear for our first hike into the cloud forest. In rubber boots, we gingerly walked down the slick drive toward the muddy main road and then walked about 100 yards to the trailhead. After a quick orientation on our general mission, the work that has been down for the past decade, plant types, and snakes and insects, we entered the moist and mossy wonderland of the cloud forest, one of the most important and impressive in the world, with more than 30 genera of plants.
As raindrops worked their way down vines and elephant ear-sized leaves, I was overwhelmed by the lush surroundings. We were being enveloped by ferns moss, and a variety of palms and other tropical trees. An active stream criss-crossed our path, and we slid across several wooden bridges, each no wider than a foot or so. Along our nature hike, Dr. Walla was sure to stop and identify various plants and evidence of caterpillars, the stars of our research project. He identified the piper plant with its knobby stems and venous, large leaves. He overturned one leaf and revealed a tiny Eois caterpillar, what he called the prize of the cloud forest and our expedition. It's hard to believe that one of our focal points of study is merely millimeters in length!
As we finished the hike and prepared to head back to the station, the rain picked up and really showed us why everything around us was so moist and green. While we were damp explorers, our spirits were certainly not dampered. We were exhilarated and anxious to find out what Day 2 of the expedition would bring!
QUESTION: How can studying just one community or ecosystem teach us something about climate change?
Zack Brown
ReplyDeleteStudying one community's climate can show what the climate is like in that region.
Studying the changes of a single community or ecosystem can teach us many things about climate change. When we study the flora, plant life, insects, and animals of a community, we can examine the change in both number and type of each of these species. From Mr. Bache’s trip to the Andes it is interesting how the size of the gunnera plant varies so greatly in size from the different elevations. At 14,000 feet this plant is very small (silver dollar size), while at 7,000 feet elevation it is very large and fans out. This can be associated with rainfall associated with climate changes. From Mr. Bache’s journey down the Andes Mountain, the ecosystem changed to very lush and green with the Eois caterpillar found under the leaves of the piper plants. The ecosystem of the cloud forest can be examined for the number of specific plant and animals over time to also determine if climate change or global warming has caused changes. Climate changes may reduce food supply to animals because of changes of plant life due to less rainfall.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem can teach us something about climate change because over time, you will start to notice changes in that ecosystem that may be the result of climate change. When you compare that data with similar studies in other communities, you can get an idea of global climate change.
ReplyDeleteDylan: By studying one area you can learn about the climate change by learning and observing the change in this one area would help you learn about climate changes in other areas.
ReplyDeleteStudying one community or ecosystem can teach us about climate change because you can study 1 area and record the different climate changes in that area.
ReplyDeleteStudying one community or ecosystem can teach us about climate change because it teaches you that all climate will change over the years in small or big changes.
ReplyDeleteIf you notice how one community is affected by climate change, you can generalize these results to a broader area.
ReplyDeleteSince the ecosystems are interconnected and not separate or in sections, if something happens to one part of the ecosystem it affects all the other parts of the ecosystem and that can cause climate change.
ReplyDeleteTalia Sawaf
ReplyDeleteLike Athina said, the ecosystems of the areas are all connected in some ways. Many areas can adapt the climate change quickly, and cause more damage. You could go to several areas and look at the climate changes and find differences and things that are alike.
Studying one ecosystem can tell us something about the climate change because that one ecosystem might have the same affect as the whole region or the area around it.
ReplyDeleteIf scientists study ecosystems in different sections of the world, they can see the overall effect that climate change is having on the world. By studying just one community, scientists can compare it to others to see if they are changing or adapting in the same way.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem teaches us something about climate change because for example when the group observed the plants at 7,000 feet elevation were bigger than the same plants that the group observed at a higher elevation this shows how climate change affects the ecosystem at a region.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem shows everyone that if one thing dies we will all die eventually. To help that one thing, for example caterpillars, you would have to make sure that the plants thrive so that the caterpillars can eat. Plants only thrive with water, oxygen, and sunlight. This is why they grow as big as a beach ball in the rainforest; at 14,000 feet in elevation they grow as much as two inches. By: John
ReplyDeleteBROOKE B.
ReplyDeleteStudying one ecosystem can teach us a lot about climate change because of the different temperatures and because the climate affects how the plants and animals survive and live.
ZOE W.
ReplyDeleteJust by studying one community or ecosystem teaches us something about climate change by things like, how thin or most the air is, or how much wildlife grows in the certain area.
LIZA B.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of water is concerning me if everyone on earth has enough water. Also the trees and how they are being cut down.
ALEX W.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem can teach us about climate change because if you learn just one thing about one place it can teach you about climate changes everywhere.
NINA M.
ReplyDeleteI think by studying just one community or ecosystem, it can teach us something about climate change because plants and animals react and grow differently in each different climate zone.
RYAN H.
ReplyDeleteClimate change can be different in different areas. An example is the caterpillar in the forest is calmer than the one in a desert. It also effects plants, such as the gunnera plant.At 14,000 feet this plant is very small (silver dollar size), while at 7,000 feet elevation it is very large and fans out.Climate change can effect our enviroment in many ways.
CHARLIE S.
ReplyDeleteIt can change because of different climates and temperatures at a given altitude.
NICK M.
ReplyDeleteIt can teach you about one place individually but also can teach about other places with similar climates and climate changes.
Just by studying climate and ecosystem could show us how plants or animals react at certain climate or height.
ReplyDeleteBy studying one place, you can learn how that plant or animal reacts to that kind of weather or land.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one ecosystem over a long period of time could show how living things are affected by global warming. It can help explain why some animal species are going extinct. Studying the plants in the area could also tell you which plants grow better in what climate or elevation. ~ Sophia S.
ReplyDeleteClimate change can be different in each area because of the altitude. Altitude effects plant life because at higher altitude the air gets thinner, it gets colder, and the clouds are below you most of the time, so plants can't get as much water as they need, and not grow as much. At lower altitude they have thicker air, and more water.
ReplyDeleteStudying a local climate can tell us a lot about climate change in the world. One example is the melting glaciers in Yosemite Park. This tells us about how seriously global warming can affect an area's climate.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or eco system can teach us that everywhere is different and the climate ranges everywhere fast slow warm hot cold.thats why some plants cant grow in some places or are just a different size (smaller or bigger).
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem teaches us something about climate change by how the climate influences the way people live and how the climate can change how animals or vegetation grow.
DeleteWhen people studying in a specific community, they can see how they are comparing to other communities. When people study ecosystems in different places in the world, they can see an overall view of climate in the world and can see how living things are getting affected by global warming.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem can teach us about climate change because people can then see the animals and plants and people who are affected by the community or ecosystem
DeleteSudden or dramatic weather changes in an ecosystem can be a sign of climate change. For example, in Los Angeles, the weather has been fairly predictable over the past twenty years. However, over the past several years, we have experienced extreme drought, hazardous fire conditions and unusually cold temperatures.
ReplyDeleteStudying only one community can show us how climate change has effected that community. It shows us how the people there had to get use to the changes.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem can teach us something about climate change because if something happens to one country it may affect other countries. For example, global warming started in one country and speed throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteStudying just one community or ecosystem teaches you a lot about climate change, like how thick or thin the air is, how moist the air is, and how much pollution is being let out in that area. If pollution from vehicles and factories keep going into the air, the climate with become completely altered and it will be hard for humans, animals, and any other living creatures to adjust.
ReplyDeleteBy studying one ecosystem over time we can see changes in plant and animal life do to forces like climate change.
ReplyDeleteBy studying just one community or ecosystem it can show how climate change affects plants and animals in a ecosystem
ReplyDeleteStudying one group of plants or animals can help us learn about global warming when we watch there reactions and study what they do.
ReplyDelete-kiera Martin
ADAM H.
ReplyDeleteIt can help you base other places on it and you can see how the climate changes.
JOEY L.
ReplyDeleteStudying one ecosystem can teach us about climate change because it depends on who lives there and whats plant and animals they have in that place. If there is a plant in one place and its not in another place, the place its not will have a different climate than the place that its in. As Ms.Battle told us when a cow farts it produces methane gas. The methane will affect the region especially if there is a herd of cows. An example is if a teacher in one room puts the temperature in one room at 70 degrees and another teacher puts the temperature at 60 degrees the climates will be different depending on the people in that place.
LOVE IT, Joey!
DeleteALYSSA W.
ReplyDeleteBy studying one area/ecosystem and its climate change can show you how much water levels decrease on average, plant migration, etc. also you learn how fast the climate is changing and can use that information to estimate climate change in similar ecosystems around the world.
TAYLOR H.
ReplyDeleteBy studying one community or ecosystem we can learn two things about climate change. We can learn which species or plants can live in a certain climate. We can also learn how the climate can impact the growth of a plant or animal. These are some of the things we can learn from watching the affect of climate change.
WESTON J.
ReplyDeleteBy studying one ecosystem you can find patterns in the climate change of the area. If the same patterns occur in another area you can predict what the climate will be like.
SEBASTIAN M.
ReplyDeleteIf you study one region, you can tell how plants and animals react to the climate around them.
MIKAELA K.
ReplyDeleteIf you study one place, you can lean about different climate changes and how certain plants and or creates survive in different altitudes. It mostly depends on altitude because at a higher altitude the air gets thinner and colder and the creatures and or plants don't get as much water. A lower altitude has thicker air with more water to survive and warmer weather.
SARA D.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, when studying an environment you need to take under consideration the way the community treats the environment in that area. When studying an eco system you can learn how the climate is different there from other places, why, and how it affects the area.
NICHOLAS Y.
ReplyDeleteBy studying one ecosystem it can teach us how climate change affects a region because over time you can see which plants thrive in different locations and why plants and animals become extinct. You can also see the affects of what global warming has on the plants and animals in this region. These are some of the things you can see by observing a region over a long period of time.
SATORI R.
ReplyDeleteIf you compare the weather patterns in one area you can observe the changes on the climate,to find out if that area has had a change or not.
ALLY S.
ReplyDeleteWhen studying a community, you can see how the climate varies from other places because you might see animals that you have never seen before and plants that you might not recognize.
KALEN A.
ReplyDeleteIf the climate changes the animals will change or go some were else. If you were studying animals and the animals suddenly move to a diffrent location than normal you would know there is something going on with the climate.
ELLI B.
ReplyDeleteStudying a certain climate can result in learning how an animal or plant responds to a different climate.
COLE T.
ReplyDeleteClimate change can be different in other places like with the plant that was the size of a silver dollar at 14,000 feet elevation but at 7,000 feet elevation the same plat was much bigger because of the climate.
TESS S.
ReplyDeleteStudying climate change in a place can teach you about climate change because if someone were to live in a place for a certain amount of time, that person would notice the change over time.
SHAWN W.
ReplyDeleteI think studying one community can show us how climate change can effect a creature. We can see if that creature adapts to the climate or if it doesn't.
ALEXANDER R.
ReplyDeleteStudying one community or ecosystem can show someone can determine climate changes and trends in that community but, I think without studying other communities, both similar and different, it is difficult to reach conclusions about global climate change.
studying just one ecosystem can make it easier to track changes over.
ReplyDeleteTARA R.
ReplyDeleteYou can learn how the enviroment is changing from just one region. You can also learn about the effects chemicals or other man made things have on certain plants and animals, and you can take that knowledge and use to help other regions around the world.
CHLOE S.
ReplyDeleteStudying one community or ecosystem can teach us about climate change because some regions have big climate changes that are very drastic but others can barely change climate. An example is Los Angeles, because lately the climate has been very dry and overwhelming because of all the heat but randomly sometimes, it has been very cold. It can also teach us how to be prepared when a climate change occurs because some people are very used to their regions climate but maybe suddenly it turns very cold or hot you would know how to react.
STUDENTS,
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES. WELL DONE!
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