Experiment @ MindSay 
physical
100 Days: A writing experiment
I've been gone a... while. I just needed some time away from all this. Mindsay is not the place it used to be, and I'm only here because my roots are deep. I don't have a reason to transplant myself to another spot. Yet, there is a lot of trivial bickering here, perhaps more than ever. What does any of that matter, anyway?
And this post relates to that. I came back here to ask some questions. It would really help me to hear other's perspectives on these things, so if you could, please pass this on to others so we can all hear their responses.
Imagine that for some reason (impending doom) that the entire world is absolutely convinced that there is only 100 days left.The questions are...
What would you do if knew the world was going to end in 100 days?
How do you think the world would be different if it was going to end in 100 days?
Assuming you would, how would you live out the rest of your days?
And this post relates to that. I came back here to ask some questions. It would really help me to hear other's perspectives on these things, so if you could, please pass this on to others so we can all hear their responses.
Imagine that for some reason (impending doom) that the entire world is absolutely convinced that there is only 100 days left.The questions are...
What would you do if knew the world was going to end in 100 days?
How do you think the world would be different if it was going to end in 100 days?
Assuming you would, how would you live out the rest of your days?
My project proposal, just in case you're interested
Livin’ On the Edge:
Variance in Mammalian Species Richness and Abundance
Between Eucalyptus and Pasture Edges of the Atlantic Forest
Introduction
The Atlantic Forest is one of the most unique environments on the planet—providing hundreds of priceless resources for human beings around the world—but after decades of degradation, pollution, and exploitation, only 7-8% of the original Mata Atlântica ecosystem remains (Galindo-Leal and Câmara 2003). Unfortunately, this small percentage is still threatened by unsustainable human practices and a lack of adequate preservation efforts. One of the most imminent issues jeopardizing the survival of these existing forest remnants is fragmentation, which isolates populations, curtails biodiversity, and exacerbates extinction risks (Chiarello 1999). A vital step in understanding and eliminating the consequences of fragmentation is determining species diversity at the forest edges, and measuring how this diversity varies across different edge types, in order to improve conservation techniques, develop more efficient management strategies, and advance policies regarding forest preservation (Marsden et al. 2001).
In my project, “Variance in mammalian species richness and abundance between eucalyptus and pasture edges of the Atlantic Forest,” I will attempt to evaluate both species richness (number of species) and abundance (number of individuals) at eucalyptus and pasture edges of the Atlantic Forest using baited sand traps to collect mammalian tracks. The results of this project will also be applicable when assessing the Green Hug concept, an important measure being taken to diversify forest edges. Eucalyptus forests are planted at the edge of the Atlantic Forest, in order to create a buffer between the forest and surrounding pastures and human inhabited areas. Theoretically, the presence of this buffer should indicate elevated species presence at this edge because the eucalyptus forest “hugs” the Atlantic Forest and mitigates the division between the two environs (Ferinmore and Cullen 2002).
The neighboring habitats that surround the forest fragment edges—such as eucalyptus stands and pastures—are known as matrixes (Gascon et al. 2000). These buffers are critical for the survival of the forest fragments that they converge with; the harshness of a matrix (how closely the matrix resembles the ecosystem it encircles) can determine whether or not it provides crucial protection for the forest interior because it limits the harmful outside factors—such as pollution—that infiltrate the forest (Umetsu and Pardini 2007). In my project, the forest edges and their corresponding matrixes are the areas that I’m concerned with—through my sand trap experiment, I will attempt to determine the difference between species diversity of edges adjacent to eucalyptus and pasture matrixes.
Question and Hypotheses
In this project, the main question I will be asking is: How does the richness and abundance of mammalian species at Atlantic Forest edges vary according to the presence of eucalyptus and pasture matrixes? Based on research regarding this topic and my own prior knowledge, I have formulated a hypothesis in answer to this question: There will be a difference in species diversity between eucalyptus and pasture edges; there will be more mammalian species richness and abundance present at eucalyptus edges than at pasture edges (Ha).
H0: Peucalyptus edge = Ppasture edge
Ha: Peucalyptus edge ≠ Ppasture edge
Methods
In order to obtain a more accurate measure of species richness and abundance at forest edges in the Mata Atlântica ecosystem, I have chosen three different sites in the Nazaré Paulista region of Brazil where I will lay my sand traps. Each of these selected sites is a forest fragment that has both a eucalyptus edge and a pasture edge, in an attempt to increase the statistical relevance of my results. At each site, I will lay six 50x50cm sand traps (three replicates at each edge) at randomly selected points along a 50m line, for a total of 18 traps. These traps will be baited with bacon and bananas, in order to attract mammals. In a study of Atlantic Forest matrix quality, Umetsu and Pardini (2007) analyze small mammal populations because they are the most diverse genre of mammals present in Neo-tropical regions. If my results are similar to those of previous sand trap projects completed by SEE-U students at IPÊ, most of the wild animal tracks in the traps will belong to small mammal species (Peterson 2006 and Mintz 2007).
After setting and baiting the traps, I will return early the following morning (to avoid disturbances and loss of data) to record the tracks; I will photograph each track and include a scale in each photo, in order to gauge size and aid in identification. In both previous SEE-U sand trap projects, students checked their traps 6-7 times. Neither of these students was able to disprove their null hypothesis (Peterson 2006 and Mintz 2007). I will check my traps a total of ten times; I would like to collect more information and possibly determine if these students were unable to disprove their null hypotheses because they did not gather sufficient data.
When analyzing the results of my experiment, I will use a two-tailed t-test to determine the difference in species diversity between the two matrix types. By including multiple replicates, selecting random trap sites, and checking the traps additional times, I hope to collect statistically viable data that will prove my hypothesis. In previous SEE-U sand trap experiments, students faced two main obstacles when laying their traps: steep inclines and a lack of forest clearings (Peterson 2006 and Mintz 2007). In order to avoid the first issue, I have chosen sites with as little incline as possible, although some was unavoidable. Regarding the latter issue, I may have to adapt the random selection of my trap locations if I am unable to place them in relatively clear areas. Another complication I anticipate is inclement weather, which may disrupt my sand traps (so I will check the traps as early in the day as possible).
A notable limiting factor of my project is the proximity of my sites; I cannot measure the general species diversity of the Atlantic Forest because all of my sites are located in the Bairro do Moinho, but I have chosen three different sites instead of using pseudo-replicates, which will hopefully expand my data and increase their pertinence regarding this specific location.
References Cited
Chiarello, A. G. 1999. Effects of fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest on mammal communities in south-eastern Brazil. Biological Conservation 89 (1): 71-82.
Ferinmore, S. C. and L. Cullen Jr. 2002. Projecto Abraco verde: A practice-based approach to Brazilian Atlantic Forest conservation. (cases). Endangered Species Update 1-10.
Galindo-Leal, C. and I. G. Câmara. 2003. Atlantic Forest hotspot status: An overview. The Atlantic Forest of South America: Biodiversity Status, Threats, and Outlook 3-11.
Gascon, C., G. B. Williamson, and G. A. B. da Fonseca. 2000. Receding forest edges and vanishing reserves. Science 288 (5470): 1356-1358.
Marsden, S. J., Whiffin, M., and M. Galetti. 2001. Bird diversity and abundance in forest fragments and Eucalyptus plantations around an Atlantic Forest reserve, Brazil. Biodiversity and Conservation 10 (5): 737-751.
Mintz, E. 2007. Do small forest fragments lack mammalian diversity? SEE-U Brazil. Session 1. PowerPoint.
Peterson, J. 2006. Are eucalyptus forests devoid of mammals? SEE-U Brazil. Session 1. PowerPoint.
Umetsu, F. and Pardini, R. Small mammals in a mosaic of forest remnants and anthropogenic habitats—evaluating matrix quality in an Atlantic Forest landscape. Landscape Ecol 22: 517-530.
Variance in Mammalian Species Richness and Abundance
Between Eucalyptus and Pasture Edges of the Atlantic Forest
Introduction
The Atlantic Forest is one of the most unique environments on the planet—providing hundreds of priceless resources for human beings around the world—but after decades of degradation, pollution, and exploitation, only 7-8% of the original Mata Atlântica ecosystem remains (Galindo-Leal and Câmara 2003). Unfortunately, this small percentage is still threatened by unsustainable human practices and a lack of adequate preservation efforts. One of the most imminent issues jeopardizing the survival of these existing forest remnants is fragmentation, which isolates populations, curtails biodiversity, and exacerbates extinction risks (Chiarello 1999). A vital step in understanding and eliminating the consequences of fragmentation is determining species diversity at the forest edges, and measuring how this diversity varies across different edge types, in order to improve conservation techniques, develop more efficient management strategies, and advance policies regarding forest preservation (Marsden et al. 2001).
In my project, “Variance in mammalian species richness and abundance between eucalyptus and pasture edges of the Atlantic Forest,” I will attempt to evaluate both species richness (number of species) and abundance (number of individuals) at eucalyptus and pasture edges of the Atlantic Forest using baited sand traps to collect mammalian tracks. The results of this project will also be applicable when assessing the Green Hug concept, an important measure being taken to diversify forest edges. Eucalyptus forests are planted at the edge of the Atlantic Forest, in order to create a buffer between the forest and surrounding pastures and human inhabited areas. Theoretically, the presence of this buffer should indicate elevated species presence at this edge because the eucalyptus forest “hugs” the Atlantic Forest and mitigates the division between the two environs (Ferinmore and Cullen 2002).
The neighboring habitats that surround the forest fragment edges—such as eucalyptus stands and pastures—are known as matrixes (Gascon et al. 2000). These buffers are critical for the survival of the forest fragments that they converge with; the harshness of a matrix (how closely the matrix resembles the ecosystem it encircles) can determine whether or not it provides crucial protection for the forest interior because it limits the harmful outside factors—such as pollution—that infiltrate the forest (Umetsu and Pardini 2007). In my project, the forest edges and their corresponding matrixes are the areas that I’m concerned with—through my sand trap experiment, I will attempt to determine the difference between species diversity of edges adjacent to eucalyptus and pasture matrixes.
Question and Hypotheses
In this project, the main question I will be asking is: How does the richness and abundance of mammalian species at Atlantic Forest edges vary according to the presence of eucalyptus and pasture matrixes? Based on research regarding this topic and my own prior knowledge, I have formulated a hypothesis in answer to this question: There will be a difference in species diversity between eucalyptus and pasture edges; there will be more mammalian species richness and abundance present at eucalyptus edges than at pasture edges (Ha).
H0: Peucalyptus edge = Ppasture edge
Ha: Peucalyptus edge ≠ Ppasture edge
Methods
In order to obtain a more accurate measure of species richness and abundance at forest edges in the Mata Atlântica ecosystem, I have chosen three different sites in the Nazaré Paulista region of Brazil where I will lay my sand traps. Each of these selected sites is a forest fragment that has both a eucalyptus edge and a pasture edge, in an attempt to increase the statistical relevance of my results. At each site, I will lay six 50x50cm sand traps (three replicates at each edge) at randomly selected points along a 50m line, for a total of 18 traps. These traps will be baited with bacon and bananas, in order to attract mammals. In a study of Atlantic Forest matrix quality, Umetsu and Pardini (2007) analyze small mammal populations because they are the most diverse genre of mammals present in Neo-tropical regions. If my results are similar to those of previous sand trap projects completed by SEE-U students at IPÊ, most of the wild animal tracks in the traps will belong to small mammal species (Peterson 2006 and Mintz 2007).
After setting and baiting the traps, I will return early the following morning (to avoid disturbances and loss of data) to record the tracks; I will photograph each track and include a scale in each photo, in order to gauge size and aid in identification. In both previous SEE-U sand trap projects, students checked their traps 6-7 times. Neither of these students was able to disprove their null hypothesis (Peterson 2006 and Mintz 2007). I will check my traps a total of ten times; I would like to collect more information and possibly determine if these students were unable to disprove their null hypotheses because they did not gather sufficient data.
When analyzing the results of my experiment, I will use a two-tailed t-test to determine the difference in species diversity between the two matrix types. By including multiple replicates, selecting random trap sites, and checking the traps additional times, I hope to collect statistically viable data that will prove my hypothesis. In previous SEE-U sand trap experiments, students faced two main obstacles when laying their traps: steep inclines and a lack of forest clearings (Peterson 2006 and Mintz 2007). In order to avoid the first issue, I have chosen sites with as little incline as possible, although some was unavoidable. Regarding the latter issue, I may have to adapt the random selection of my trap locations if I am unable to place them in relatively clear areas. Another complication I anticipate is inclement weather, which may disrupt my sand traps (so I will check the traps as early in the day as possible).
A notable limiting factor of my project is the proximity of my sites; I cannot measure the general species diversity of the Atlantic Forest because all of my sites are located in the Bairro do Moinho, but I have chosen three different sites instead of using pseudo-replicates, which will hopefully expand my data and increase their pertinence regarding this specific location.
References Cited
Chiarello, A. G. 1999. Effects of fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest on mammal communities in south-eastern Brazil. Biological Conservation 89 (1): 71-82.
Ferinmore, S. C. and L. Cullen Jr. 2002. Projecto Abraco verde: A practice-based approach to Brazilian Atlantic Forest conservation. (cases). Endangered Species Update 1-10.
Galindo-Leal, C. and I. G. Câmara. 2003. Atlantic Forest hotspot status: An overview. The Atlantic Forest of South America: Biodiversity Status, Threats, and Outlook 3-11.
Gascon, C., G. B. Williamson, and G. A. B. da Fonseca. 2000. Receding forest edges and vanishing reserves. Science 288 (5470): 1356-1358.
Marsden, S. J., Whiffin, M., and M. Galetti. 2001. Bird diversity and abundance in forest fragments and Eucalyptus plantations around an Atlantic Forest reserve, Brazil. Biodiversity and Conservation 10 (5): 737-751.
Mintz, E. 2007. Do small forest fragments lack mammalian diversity? SEE-U Brazil. Session 1. PowerPoint.
Peterson, J. 2006. Are eucalyptus forests devoid of mammals? SEE-U Brazil. Session 1. PowerPoint.
Umetsu, F. and Pardini, R. Small mammals in a mosaic of forest remnants and anthropogenic habitats—evaluating matrix quality in an Atlantic Forest landscape. Landscape Ecol 22: 517-530.
Rain? Hair? Dinner? Experiemnts? Video games? Friends from home?
It's still raining in Binghamton. It's been raining all day. It's been raining since it was light enough out to see. And it's been cold, so said rain is turning to ice. It's the kind of cold that penetrates to your bones and kind of sticks there. It's the kind of cold you can't get rid of for days, the kind that makes you shiver in summer when you think about it. Stupid, icky, wet, cold, icy Binghamton. Boo.
I forgot to mention in my last post that I cut my hair when I went home last weekend. It was down to my shoulder blades, but now it's up to the nape of my neck. I loved it at first, then I hated it, and now I'm kind of in the middle. I just think it takes getting used to. I haven't had my hair this short in a long time. It's kind of hard to work with but definitely easier to maintain than the fop I was sporting before. It's kind of nice, not having long hair.
I have to venture out into the stupid, icky, wet, cold iciness of BU to go to a experiment later. I'm taking Psychology 111, so I have to fulfill a research requirement to get credit for the course. Being in an experiment is a hell of a lot easier than writing a paper. It also requires less thought, and the less thought the better. I have other stuff that I need to be thinking about. All my experiments are scheduled and I should have my research requirement fulfilled by spring break. That'll be a huge load off, knowing that everything in that department is done. I only have my experiments, a paper, and one more test to worry about before I can go home on break and relax for ten days. I won't have to even think about school if I don't want to (well, maybe about one paper, but I doubt that).
I've definitely been wasting time today. After my psych test, I felt entitled to relax seeing how I studied like mad crazy for it all day yesterday. I think I did decently, and so I rewarded myself by playing the Sims 2 for... oh, three hours. What a waste of life, I am. Well, waste of life or not, the span of time between the test and the discovery of your grade is the most relaxed, the most carefree. You haven't been murdered by numbers yet, so everything in the world is all well and good.
My best friend from home will hopefully be here to visit all next weekend. :) Excitement. She'll be here between a paper and a test, so it's definitely a good time to for her to visit. I miss her a lot so I'm really happy she took a couple days off and decided to come and visit. Hopefully, Ally, Theo, and Caroline will all be here that weekend, so we can chill. The three of them still have to take me to the bubble tea place since I didn't go last weekend.
Masquerade ball's in a few days and the parentals mailed my costume, so my crisis from last night (not having anything to wear) has been averted. My roommates all think I'm crazy for wearing my pirate costume; a good crazy, they say, but now I'm a little unsure. Oh well. I'll just have to go and find out. Worst comes to worst, I can leave early. Admission is only $6.
I'm out for now. I'm just waiting for the girls to call, then I'm going to dinner. I'm pretty excited about getting a handmade burrito...
I forgot to mention in my last post that I cut my hair when I went home last weekend. It was down to my shoulder blades, but now it's up to the nape of my neck. I loved it at first, then I hated it, and now I'm kind of in the middle. I just think it takes getting used to. I haven't had my hair this short in a long time. It's kind of hard to work with but definitely easier to maintain than the fop I was sporting before. It's kind of nice, not having long hair.
I have to venture out into the stupid, icky, wet, cold iciness of BU to go to a experiment later. I'm taking Psychology 111, so I have to fulfill a research requirement to get credit for the course. Being in an experiment is a hell of a lot easier than writing a paper. It also requires less thought, and the less thought the better. I have other stuff that I need to be thinking about. All my experiments are scheduled and I should have my research requirement fulfilled by spring break. That'll be a huge load off, knowing that everything in that department is done. I only have my experiments, a paper, and one more test to worry about before I can go home on break and relax for ten days. I won't have to even think about school if I don't want to (well, maybe about one paper, but I doubt that).
I've definitely been wasting time today. After my psych test, I felt entitled to relax seeing how I studied like mad crazy for it all day yesterday. I think I did decently, and so I rewarded myself by playing the Sims 2 for... oh, three hours. What a waste of life, I am. Well, waste of life or not, the span of time between the test and the discovery of your grade is the most relaxed, the most carefree. You haven't been murdered by numbers yet, so everything in the world is all well and good.
My best friend from home will hopefully be here to visit all next weekend. :) Excitement. She'll be here between a paper and a test, so it's definitely a good time to for her to visit. I miss her a lot so I'm really happy she took a couple days off and decided to come and visit. Hopefully, Ally, Theo, and Caroline will all be here that weekend, so we can chill. The three of them still have to take me to the bubble tea place since I didn't go last weekend.
Masquerade ball's in a few days and the parentals mailed my costume, so my crisis from last night (not having anything to wear) has been averted. My roommates all think I'm crazy for wearing my pirate costume; a good crazy, they say, but now I'm a little unsure. Oh well. I'll just have to go and find out. Worst comes to worst, I can leave early. Admission is only $6.
I'm out for now. I'm just waiting for the girls to call, then I'm going to dinner. I'm pretty excited about getting a handmade burrito...
hot enough to...
As if there was any way I was not going to try this.
“Woman bakes cookies on dashboard”
Unfortunately, the article is very short on details. If the cookies say to bake at 350 for 25 minutes, how long will they need to bake in a 200 degree car? My dashboard is definitely slanted. Will the cookie dough all run to one side? Does she make her own cookie dough, or use slice and bake? If the latter, which brand?
Since the article was kind enough to give not only her name, but also the city and name of her employer, I tried calling Mrs. Fontaine for advice, but the number was busy.
Intrepid experimenter and cookie lover that I am, I shall fearlessly attempt to repeat her results.
Thus far, I have covered two cookie sheets in aluminum foil, shiny side up. Pillsbury Break and Bake cookies, spread evenly about 1 inch apart. Rather than fighting for one of the precious few shaded parking spots like usual, the car is angled for maximum sun to the windshield.
And I am trying very hard to wait at least 20 minutes before I go check on them.
(I’ll keep you informed by updating this entry. I know you’re all anxiously awaiting the results of this vitally important scientific experiment.)
Update: 3:15pm, outside temperature 97. I told two people at the office about my experiment, and now there’s a steady stream of people going out to the car to check on the progress. The dough has flattened out nicely and they’re starting to plump up a bit. I’m guessing another 30-40 minutes and we’ll have cookies!
Update: 3:42pm
Update 4:07 pm - Outside temperature 101. A valid question has just been raised. "Did you bring any oven mitts?"
Uh-oh. Hadn't thought of that...
Update- 4:15pm Cookies are DONE! I would've taken a picture of the finished product, but I barely managed to get them to the kitchen. Everyone agrees that they're even more delicious than regular old oven-baked cookies.
All gone, and Trill is one popular chick here today!
(I never had an easy-bake oven. I think I'm finally at peace with that.)
Let this be a lesson to you on why you should never leave children or pets in the car!
Coke Classic
Okay, so last night I goofed, because I have mental dyslexia when it comes to numbers.
We were discussing pop, and I said that the pH of coke was 4.2-something, and pepsi was slightly worse. The second part is accurate, but I switched things around a bit in my head. The pH of pepsi is 2.49, and coke is 2.53. Thank you.
And more helpful information, to give you a rough scale on that. Water has pH of 7.00 (if it's absolutely pure H2O - other factors can tweak it very slightly to either direction). Battery acid has a pH of about 1.00. The nature of the acid in pop is that it starts an attack on whatever surface you put it on, and this apparently lasts 20 minutes. My sister's done the fun thing where you put pennies in coke and it eats off the copper, but it takes a little while. I've been told (two of my friends' dads are officers) that squad cars carry two liters of pop in order to clean blood off of highways, but I don't know that that's certain.
(Incidentally, diet pop has no sugar, but almost the same acid levels as the regular version).
Still. Cool stuff to play with. I have a fondness for powerful stuff that I have virtually unlimited access to. I'm wondering what else it can eat through.
We were discussing pop, and I said that the pH of coke was 4.2-something, and pepsi was slightly worse. The second part is accurate, but I switched things around a bit in my head. The pH of pepsi is 2.49, and coke is 2.53. Thank you.
And more helpful information, to give you a rough scale on that. Water has pH of 7.00 (if it's absolutely pure H2O - other factors can tweak it very slightly to either direction). Battery acid has a pH of about 1.00. The nature of the acid in pop is that it starts an attack on whatever surface you put it on, and this apparently lasts 20 minutes. My sister's done the fun thing where you put pennies in coke and it eats off the copper, but it takes a little while. I've been told (two of my friends' dads are officers) that squad cars carry two liters of pop in order to clean blood off of highways, but I don't know that that's certain.
(Incidentally, diet pop has no sugar, but almost the same acid levels as the regular version).
Still. Cool stuff to play with. I have a fondness for powerful stuff that I have virtually unlimited access to. I'm wondering what else it can eat through.
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