Eons: View message "Hello From Your Moderator! " in Earthwatch: Climate Change Group

Message 26 of 27

Hello From Your Moderator!

Hi,

I'm the Earthwatch webmaster. I've been at Earthwatch for 3 years, and so far I've been on 2 expeditions - Puerto Rico's Rainforest, and a paleontology expedition to southern Utah which has finished.

I hear many interesting tidbits of information about climate change and the impacts it could have. For example, Dr. Rolf Peterson studies moose and wolves on Isle Royale in Lake Superior. He has found that when winters are warmer than normal on the island, the tick population doesn't die off. This means that the moose are plagued by many more ticks, and become very debilitated.

Who would have thought that a study of predator-prey dynamics would discover a potential climate change impact?

Kathy

posted by Earthwatch

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The tick population is very rich now! No pun intended. Life is so amazing and challenging. Thank you for sharing.

Michael

posted by thepops2008
4 months ago

Hi Kathy,

You make a very good point. Isn't it amazing how something, that we would normally regard as insignificant such as a tick, could have such a profound impact of the environment? Sometimes I think Voltaire was right when he said, "God is a comedian playing to an audience afraid to laugh." Thanks for the interesting tidbit and the astute observation. ;-)

Eric

posted by Aristocles
3 months ago

Hi Kathy:

Right here in Minnesota we are concerned because moderating winters could lead to longer mosquito seasons, and also larger deer tick populations which bring with them diseases of all sorts. Then there are the swings between persistent droughts and deluges that are playing hell with local crops. This year ironically it has been cool and wet delaying agricultural crops by a month or more in an already short growing season.

All to say, you are so right. the results are around us, for those who are looking.

posted by Labrys3
3 months ago

Hi, Webmaster. I used to work for EW some years ago. I would like to get back there, preferably in the same capacity as I was before. I kept track of the volunteers' contributions. Some of the field reps probably still recognize me. I had to leave because it moved from a place I could walk to one requiring a long train trip and then a shuttle. Only one other person who worked there would take the train. That person, the third of three bosses I had there, has since left the firm. I hope you are doing well. The new office space is much nicer than what was in Watertown; I have to say that.