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Uniting research with recreation: marine biodiversity monitoring and scuba divers

By zoologirl, on March 11th, 2011%

One of the reasons that I think citizen science is becoming increasingly popular is because it takes advantage of people’s already established interests. Bird watching is one hobby that has been particularly successful at creating citizen scientists. These projects can be as simple (and fun!) as putting up a birdfeeder and recording the birds that visit a few times a week. However, not all project subjects are as accessible as the birds in your backyard. Take for example marine life. Most people don’t have windows that look out under the sea, and you need special skills and equipment . . . → Read More: Uniting research with recreation: marine biodiversity monitoring and scuba divers

3 comments   Citizen Science, Ecology   , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  

Year of the Bat

By zoologirl, on January 10th, 2011%

The United Nations Convention on Migratory Species has declared 2011 as the Year of the Bat to raise awareness about bats, the services they provide to people, and their conservation needs:

Bats may be mysterious and misunderstood, but the earth’s only flying mammals are essential to our global environment. Discover how bats contribute to our rich biodiversity and well-being, through pollination, seed dispersal, insect control and other eco-services in rainforests, woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, deserts and cities.

Yay for bats! However, I was sad to see that the World Association for Zoos and Aquariums will not being doing anything . . . → Read More: Year of the Bat

Leave a comment   Conservation, Quick Links & Events, Wildlife   , , , , , ,  

Ecology ID: What happened here? The Answer: Invasion of the Earthworms!

By zoologirl, on January 5th, 2011%

A few weeks ago I asked the following question:

What do you think happened to cause the changes seen between the before and after pictures below?

Hint: This is a sugar maple forest in Minnesota, but it could be almost any forest in the Great Lakes region of North America. I’ll point out that most of the understory plants and tree saplings have disappeared and the root crown of the large tree has been exposed.

Before

After

I received a few excellent guesses and questions! But without further ado, the answer is: Continue reading Ecology ID: What happened here? The Answer: Invasion of the Earthworms!

4 comments   Citizen Science, Ecology, Plants   , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  

Semi-Quick Links 11.4

By zoologirl, on November 4th, 2010%

On a Thursday!

  • First, something that put a smile on my face. One of my posts was included in the most recent edition of Scientia Pro Publica (Science for the People) blog carnival! There are plenty of great blog posts about science in this edition about everything from drunk bats and venomous mammals to discussions of the peer-review process. So go check it out!
  • Cosmic curiosity reveals ghostly glow of dead quasar- discovered through the citizen science project Galaxy Zoo!
  • Do you ever get sad from reading about endangered species and losses of biodiversity? Then you must read Back from the Brink: Victories in Conservation over at Southern Fried Science. It discusses a recent paper in Science which shows conservation efforts are helping to slow extinctions. I couldn’t help but notice that a few of the success stories they highlighted are in part thanks to zoo breeding programs, including that of the the Asian Wild Horse. The Minnesota Zoo played a significant part in their recovery, and here’s a great video on that story.
  • And related to my rant yesterday, I think the paper mentioned above supports how important scientific publications can be, especially considering the paper provides evidence that conservation efforts work and need more support. In addition, one of the co-authors is none other than the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Bear Biologist David Garshelis. He is also co-chair of the IUCN Bear Specialist Group, and was recently on The Colbert Report sticking to his story that he’s not afraid of bears. Videos below! Continue reading Semi-Quick Links 11.4
Leave a comment   Minnesota, Quick Links & Events   , , , , , , , , , , , ,