Changing of the Changing of the
Seasons
Throughout history, weather has been feared and admired for its powerful impact
over. Not only does the weather day to
day affect our moods, activities, and fashion; but it also is a crucial part within
the issues of cultural identity, concepts of time, and economic development. Weather reflects short-term conditions of the
atmosphere while climate is the average weather pattern for an extended period
of time for a certain location. Climate
is what you expect, weather is what you get.
Nature is struggling against the impacts of extreme weather and because
of this many species and ecosystems will die out, as their natural responses to
global warming will be inadequate.
Over the past 100 years, Earth’s climate has become warmer and precipitation
has changed. Conservation strategies for managing biodiversity have
traditionally assumed that species distributions change relatively slowly,
unless they are directly affected by human activities. Global climate change is currently considered
as a conservation threat. It is suggested that climate change may be a current and
will stay as a future conservation threat. Although, it is impossible to prove that
climate change is the cause of these ecological effects, these findings have
important implications for conservation studies. Additional threats will emerge as climate
continues to change, especially as climate interacts with other stressors such
as habitat fragmentation. There is a lot
of evidence of ecological impacts from recent climate change data. Despite continued uncertainty as to community
and ecosystem trajectories under global change, our review exposes a coherent
pattern of ecological change across systems. Although we are only at an early
stage in the projected trends of global warming, ecological responses to recent
climate change are already clearly visible.
Climate change can affect forests by altering the frequency, intensity, duration,
and timing of fire, drought, introduced species, insect and pathogen outbreaks,
hurricanes, windstorms, ice storms, or landslides.
Its almost as if time has stopped, nothing is moving, there are no
sounds. Sitting here under this bare tree at the same picnic table that I
have been siting at for the past four weeks I feel as though I am trapped
inside of Disney’s animated movie Frozen. Everything here is covered in snow and
although all is quiet by means of human activity, the landscape is still very
much alive. The pond is covered by ice
and a blanket of snow lay on top. I toss
a rock across the now frozen pond and watched as the rock quickly slides across
the icy surface and is deflected off of a larger rock at the edge of the
pond.
My mind has wondered what kinds of birds they are but I cannot be too
sure, since I cannot spot any birds nearby.
I imagine that the birds are snuggled in their nests in the trees with
their loved ones, trying to keep warm from the cold weather. The trees are covered in a perfect white snowy
blanket that brings an enchanting feeling to me as I am surrounded by the nature
of Pemberton Park. Much like the movie Frozen, even though there is a snow
covering, everything is still very much alive and I feel like everything could
just come out and start dancing and singing, all celebrating the snow fall and
the winter feeling.
A few cold days got in the way but we have pushed through them. Nature has continued to wake up even more as
each day goes by. Seeing spring come
around always seems to put a smile on my face. This has quickly become one of my favorite if
not my favorite place in the city of Salisbury.
Sitting in nature no matter where you are is good for oneself. I believe that it exercises your mind and
opens up your awareness to your new surroundings. It helps one to develop as one. Just as the
I brought my boyfriend to this peaceful pond where we both sat at the
picnic table in silence. And before we even left the trail leading to our
bikes he asked me if he could read some of my observation notes for the
site. I was really excited that he asked
and seem interested and wanted to know more of the study of natural history
that I was taking part in.
With help from research I have identified three trees in this area of the
park surrounding the little pond. These
three types of trees are Atlantic white cedars (this is the tree that I sit
under), Southern Red Oak, and American Holly. Beyond the pond in a field to the
side I think those trees are oaks and hickories but this I am not certain
of. I am starting to see more and more
green sprouts as I walk to by area of my observation. Its incredible to just think about the new
lives that have not yet begun and to think of what will come of these little
sprouts as the weather warms.
Radiation fog has been very common among the pond area in the morning
time. Radiation is a type of fog that rises from the surface and than
disappears a few inches above. This type of fog is seen as a thin layer that
forms because the land becomes cool overnight. When the dew point is met and condensation
occurs, the fog moves slowly upwards. Once evaporation happens there is no more
fog on the surface, this type of fog may be seen early in the morning.
Radiation fog is common at lakes, harbors and in river valleys. In the
Salisbury area we have seen a few rain showers these past few days and the rain
showers will continue. When I think of “April showers” automatically “brings
May flowers” follows. The image that comes to mind is that all of nature
sprouts up and out from the ground and the world is made beautiful again.
Nature will continue to blossom into more of a beautiful sight, very warming
and cozy feeling. Nature is always beautiful in my eyes year around, unfortunate
most people are blind to this beauty. The birds today seem to be very happy
with the weather and clear skies; they are flying all around through out the
trees. I love to watch the birds, and see how they interact amongst each
other. I wonder what goes through their little
bird minds while in flight. Sure we have the ability to see at birds eye view
while in an airplane but it still does not give us the insight and experience as
they experience it.
Above head is a gorgeous bright blue color and the skies are clear of
clouds. Its incredible how the change of
seasons changes the appearance of nature and it becomes more appealing to the
eye. Today turned into a gorgeous spring
day cool breeze but still warm outside. Perfect
day to sit outside and do homework but I get too distracted. I believe that it exercises your mind and widens
ones awareness to new surroundings.
Sitting here at the bench beneath the tree looking around the pond there
a few people on the path, a couple, a man and his dog, mothers with their
strollers and along with a few runners going around on the different pathways. I love it when the temperature outside gets
warmer and the hours of daylight are longer, giving everyone the opportunity to
go outside. Even including the amount of birds flying in the sky above, even
some in the treetops of the forest of Pemberton Park. Nature is something that has always opened my
eyes to see more. I brought my boyfriend to my site of observation for this
class and he has also noticed the change in the area. Only slight changes are
seem for him since it has been about two weeks since his first visit, but he
also agreed that the area looks like its more awake and ready to be out of the
cold.
Life in all forms is a great blessing,
and a thing to be grateful for. Plants are much like humans. We all start off
the same, a baby not knowing anything and needing to be care for. As we grow older we are more able to care for
ourselves as well as others. When a seed
is planted, it must be watered so that the water can be taken up through the
roots so that the seed will grow.
Eventually the plant can regulate and does not need to be drenched with
water. As much as people are diverse, so
are plants. Although some are the same species they are not all identical, each
and everyone contributing to their ecosystem in some way shape or form.
As I sit outside I think of the life lessons but mainly relations between
ourselves, and the beautiful green earth we live on. Being out in the middle of nature with no
interruptions brings you more in touch and to notice the real meaning and to
see deeper into what is happening all around us. To the naked eye it all looks like another day
but taking the time to notice the change in the weather and the flight pattern
of the birds, just the natural occurrences will make one realize so much more. Nature is something that has always opened my
eyes to see more than what it is that is seen on a typical basis and I love it!
The continuation of global warming rising and the consequential change of
weather patterns, the awareness and understanding of this topic have never been
so important. The impacts of climate
change on wildlife and nature are worse than scientists had previously feared. During the winter months it is obvious that
nature is more quiet and tucked away because of the threatening cold weather
verse the spring months when nature seems to come alive and thrive. This is one of the few changes that humans
can easily see, although the transformation does take time, the difference is
obvious and we are able to compare the four seasons with each other. Nature does show the difficulty that comes
with each season and how that specific area deals with the regional climate and
the weather changes. Nature is an
incredible things since it has been able to survive and still thrive from these
different seasons.
Bibliography
Araújo,
Miguel B., and Carsten Rahbek. "How does climate change affect
biodiversity?." SCIENCE-NEW YORK THEN WASHINGTON- 313.5792 (2006):
1396.
McCarty,
John P. "Ecological consequences of recent climate change." Conservation
biology 15.2 (2001): 320-331.
Strauss, Sarah, and Benjamin S. Orlove.
"Weather, climate, culture." (2003).
Van Vliet, Arnold. Extreme weather: does
nature keep up?. WWF,
Wageningen University, 2004.
Walther,
Gian-Reto, et al. "Ecological responses to recent climate change." Nature
416.6879 (2002): 389-395.
I really like when you talk about how amazing it is to think of the lives that have not begun in nature and new little sprouts. It reminds me of when Dr. Hatley asked, " who speaks for the unborn?" This is an important thought in reasoning with climate change. We have understood that it will greatly effect the future generations and that they will most likely deal with the stronger changes. I find that its hard for people to understand this and care about the future generations. I also think this is a huge setback in dealing with climate change.
ReplyDeleteYou have described the emergence of life at Pemberton from winter to spring very poetically and spot on. To understand that there is movement and life throughout winter allows one to witness more changes when the spring season arrives. I believe, as you do, that humans are blind to the beauty of winter because they are distracted or repulsed by the bitter cold and lack of life. Yet, life is abundant! Cardinals stick around, Eastern gray squirrels scurry about, and loblolly pines sway and creak as winter species climb, jump and run about them. As you pointed out, global warming is a serious threat to species all over the globe. Will climate change affect Pemberton Park as it has with so many other habitats? How lucky you are to have witnessed life in and around the pond within this coastal forest. Who knows how this ecosystem will adapt to the changing weather patterns and ultimately to a different climate zone, or if it even can. Will the squirrel be able to store then unearth its winter acorns to sustain life through the bitter months? Will more birds stick around in a warmer climate and alter the complex food web? Your natural history of the area has answered questions, but also formed others. You give further reasoning to push for conservation and care for the earth as we care for our loved ones. The natural land has spoken to you and now you have spoken for it, thank you for such great insight.
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