ECR

Wow, the ECR is such an awesome tool for conflict resolution. I was a bit wary at first, because as Tim was describing it in his introductory lecture, it seemed so idealistic, with very different people coming together to hold hands and sing Kumbayah. But thinking back to the conflict resolution program we advocated at my legal internship last summer, these alternatives to litigation and continued, unresolved problems have great potential, and when taken advantage of, great results.

That's why it kind of hurt me when Ariel and Julie had such a negative view of the process. Yes things are difficult, and very likely more so when actual stakes and funds are involved, but I don't think anything is ever realized without an ideal. Like Alison mentioned, you set you standards high, not so that they are inmovable, but so that when negotiations come you make both concessions and realize that in truth, you may have more similarities with other stakeholders than what you previously thought.

I definitely think all stakeholders, as equal participants, should also know equally about the subject at hand. The Newcomb residents, for instance, would have had to be informed of the literature that exists regarding the introduction of grey wolves into the Adirondacks, with literature from various outlooks, not just one source backed by another stakeholder, as was the case with the study we had that had been sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife. As Tim's powerpoint mentioned, the body of stakeholders must be able to make their own decisions without being subject to anyone else outside or inside of the ECR; I think this applies to freedom of information as well. A biased influx of information would sway one less knowledgeable stakeholder in the direction that favors whoever sponsored the dissemination of that knowledge, be it somone from inside the ECR or someone outside. This could violate the autonomy of the ECR, especially since these particular conflict resolutions have to do so much with science.

I'm excited thus to look for ECRs in NY, and hopefully do some work with that. I'll definitely be in contact with Vilma regarding that.

BioBlitz Analysis + Snorkeling Victory

I appreciate the trophic level organization we explored today. I'm a "big-picture" person and so seeing how all the different species could be categorized according to larger trophic guilds, denoting their function in the food web, really helped me wrap my mind around the organization of the reef ecosystem. Or, in the least, one way to organize the ecosystem. That doesn't lessen the complexity of the system though, which is something that I've noticed across the ecosystems: just because there is a classification system doesn't mean there is suddenly a sharp, non-overlapping pattern. In this case, just because an organism is a benthic feeder doesn't mean it cannot be a secondary consumer motive, for instance.

The inverted biomass trophic pyramid structure of the ocean ecosystem is quite intriguing as well. I was used to thinking of the trophic pyramid, regardless of the ecosystem, as supported by plants, with that level being the largest because there were simply more plants. But I never thought about the foundational trophic group in terms of biomass, and that biomass of plants differed by ecosystems. In the rainforest, plants must grow lots of leaves and climb as high as possible to catch as much sunlight as possible, or else adapt to shady environments. They grow deep roots to draw up essential nutrients as well, since the well-drained soil is usually less fertile. In the ocean, algae has to do no such thing because it has what it needs: light and water. Instead, quick regeneration and lower energy requirements allows the relatively small plants to support the vast ocean system. This is amazing since the demand for energy isn't any less, with just as many, if not more, organisms vying for energy.

Speaking of competition, I was reading a journal article about how some types of coral become more aggressive when there are other coral competing in the area. If reality does indeed follow Darwin's principles of limited resources and potential for exponential population growth, how do algae compete with each other? Rainforest plants surely do, but how would they with that seemingly never-ending ocean?

After the analysis in class we were able to go to the mangroves, which was a little less interesting than snorkeling and definitely stinky. It was cool to see the zonation pattern I had read about, and just like the trophic guilds, this isn't set in stone. The guide explained the zonation and described each mangrove type, but as he did I noticed he was describing a white mangrove that was in front of the black mangrove. So I asked why that was so and he explained that the zonation pattern is general; a pattern often observed, not a rule. He also explained how the size of the island could affect the zonation. This particularly small island hindered more widespread growth of each species, since the salinity levels changed so much as you headed inland. As such, it was normal to see two different mangroves meld into each other instead of follow clear cut delineations.

After the mangroves I was soooo ready for snorkeling, and I have to say, when we got there I was a lot more confident about myself (sometimes I just have to prove I can do it to no one other than myself). This time I thought it would be more difficult: I didn't have flipper, didn't even have water shoes, and I was going to do it on my own. I remembered they told us not to go into the water barefoot, and after seeing a huge urchin on the last trip, I swam toward Rebecca, who was sun bathing on the boat, and asked if I could use her shoes. She let me, and I was ready to go. Thank God the current wasn't too strong! I saw so many things, especially at the mangrove. It was crazy; one area between mangroves separated by a channel seemed to be a traffic area, with all kinds of fishes moving from one mangrove cay to another. Migration and interaction! Woooot! Essential components of genetic diversity :) I saw so many juveniles as well, and I often swam within their school. It was the most amazing thing I have EVER experienced. From what I did experience, I really, really, REALLY, think I prefer aquatic environments and obvious organismal movement.

Victory!!!

Snorkeling!

SNORKELING. IS. AWESOME. PERIOD.

The boat ride was great; wind blowing in my hair, some fun waves splashing onto the boat, bobbing up and down in the movement of the vast ocean. What a view! I was terrified, to be sure, when we stopped and I had to swim. I don't feel like I'm an especially strong swimmer so jumping into the ocean blue was a little daunting.

I was the last one off the boat, but the first one to the coral reef. How does that happen? Fear. Hahaha Ugh I wanted to leave so badly when we got to the reef! I drank so much salt water jumping off the boat, fumbling with my snorkeling gear and actually swimming that my tummy didn't feel very well, so I didn't pay much attention to the show-and-tell our guides were giving. I felt inadequate with only my flippers on as well, since I made th water cloudy when I moved, and of course it was extremely awkward to even walk in those things. Adding to this are my corporal insecurities; I honestly don't own a swimsuit.

But once we actually started snorkeling I kind of got over my inhibitions. The waves were still a little strong and I had to continually readjust my snorkeling mask because it would get cloudy and fill with water, even when I spit into it and adjusted the straps. Sometimes I would start to breathe in the water, and had to come up to readjust again. I was with Alison and one of the guides at first, but I lost them for a bit so I just went on on my own, and I think it was then that I got a little better. I don't know, I'm the kind of person that needs to do things on her own and get the hang of it, because I feel very self conscious when I'm attempting something but I know I'm not doing it right. I need to master it myself and then do I feel comfortable with others.

But anyway, the point is that I got the hang of it. I made the funniest drawings of an almost translucent fish with yellow patches on its topside and fins, some observations on the corals and sponges, but not much else. I was also scared to dive down so I couldn't always get a good look at the organisms.

Identifying all the animals was interesting as well; I definitely commend Ariel for her knowledge of marine organisms and the excitement she put into the process. It was like an auction! "_____fish! Alright everyone look for it. Is that what you saw? Yes? Ok, one down!" I wonder what the bioblitz is like in Central Park. Man, so may things I haven't heard about in NY.

Isla Magueyes

I wasn't expecting the island to be so near to the "mainland," and didn't know what to expect in terms of a "beachless" beach. What an odd little place--iguana infested, too.

I don't see what the big deal was about the iguanas though, they seem like if you assert your dominance they'll cringe and run away. All the girls screaming about them getting near the dorms is pretty annoying.

The part about the mosquitoes was definitely no joke though. I went with Diana and Vilma to the supermarket today and we got back when it was dark already. I LITERALLY felt swarms of mosquitoes on my body while waiting for the ferry. Aaaaaaah! I really wonder why they come in droves here though. Are the stagnant waters in the mangroves breeding grounds for them?

Apparently, they are for juvenile fishes though, since they serve as nurseries for the baby fish that will later inhabit the coral reefs as adults. The red mangrove seems especially cool since it drops its long, green bean like seeds into the water. These slowly turn vertically (perpendicular to water) to bury themselves near more mangroves along the water. It's such an awesome mechanism for reproduction and survival, based on a need to adapt to a specific environment.

The section in NTC on similarities between the rainforest and the mangrove/reef ecosystems is particularly interesting. They are so different yet they both support comparable levels of diversity, both have high productivity, and both are susceptible to disturbances. I was glad to see Connell's hypothesis regarding intermediate levels of disturbance cited in the book, since Ashley is working with that hypothesis for her individual project. Yet, what is an "intermediate disturbance"? Do we gauge it once it's already happening? Is anything a disturbance if it changes biodiversity?