If anyone is interested I posted quite a few (meaning hundreds) of references regarding the 6th mass extinction event we are currently in, on last weeks blog. The lists includes journal articles from Science, Nature, PNAS, Biotropica, Climate Change, Journal of Applied Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation and many mass media reports. It has been shown over, over, and over again that the current extinction rates are higher than fossil records indicate.
I had been told that we should have a lap top computer for this class, but when I mentioned last week I could get a used one refurbished I was told our last class was the last time we would need one. However, I've noted our current projects all involve making a presentation, which maybe could be loaded into a flash drive, but someone would have to give use of their lap top computer. Que no?
I also spent hours looking for research, but for Project 1, which did not appear at first blush to enjoy climate time blog wiki posting of research directed toward our project. Finally, found a few research documents, but only one might be applicable. I'll find out later tonight. The other references actually looked exciting, but are books. Unfortunately, UNM does not have them on the library shelves...
If your talking about this isotope project just assigned try http://ehleringer.net/Jim/publications_continuing.html This is a list of Dr. Ehleringer's publications and has everything you would ever need. Also use the literature cited in any and all of his publications and you could write a disertation with only using those sources. GOOD LUCK
Thank you so much Mike, my brain is now swimming with possible data, which I will share with the other Project 1 members, and see if we can arrive at some consensus of what we can use! Is Dr. Ehleringer a real person or a group of people all researching under one pseudonym? lol
Thank you Catherine, ordered a book tonight from the library! It's the one I really wanted, maybe they can get it here in time...
The following is a note in response to today's presentations. Source:Cerling, Thure E. et. al. “Global vegetation change through the Miocene/Pliocene boundary” Nature McMillan Publishers Vol 389 11 September 1997.
Global increase in the biomass of C4 plants indicated by carbon isotope rations of fossil tooth enamel of 226 different mammals in Asia, Africa, North America and South America, which may be related to decrease in atmospheric CO2 concentrations; change occurred earlier at lower latitudes as C3 photosynthesis is higher at warmer temperatures. Found no evidence for a significant C4 component in diets of mammals from Europe, Africa, Asia or the Americas. Striking change from C3 to C4 ecosystems first noted in Pakistan showing a change in C13 about 7Myr. Fig. 1 shows histograms of C13 for modern grasses, modern tooth enamel, and fossil tooth enamel >8Myr. P.154. (Note: of high-latitude sites, only Nebraska show significant C4 biomass in the diet where one C13 enamel value reaches -3%). Research indicated significant worldwide fauna change and change in diet in late Miocene and Pliocene. Pliocene witnessed sharp increase in seasonality with faunas evolving savanna-mosaic character. P.156
Tykot, R.H. 2004 article for Enrico Fermi course on “Stable isotopes and diet: You are what you eat”: Regarding C4 plants in human diets and its contribution to bone collagen and bone apatite may be estimated by interpolation. Authors urged caution, if succulent plants were present due to their use of CAM, which results in carbon isotope ratios similar to C4 plants. CAM plants unlikely to have been major sources of dietary protein, whether consumed directly or indirectly through herbivorous faunal intermediaries. Nitrogen isotope ratios for plants depend primarily on how they obtain their nitrogen (bacterial fixation, directly from soil nitrates). Nitrogen isotope rations vary according to rainfall, altitude and other factors, and both carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios vary considerably among marine organisms. Therefore, it is critical to establish site-relevant isotopic baseline for interpreting human skeletal data. Analyses of faunal remains provide good estimate of animals themselves and the plants they consume. Isotopic baseline important in coastal areas, as well as where C4 and/or CAM plants can be directly or indirectly consumed by humans. Fig. 1 on p.435 titled “Carbon Isotope Fractionation in Terrestrial Foodwebs” is good for view of atmospheric CO2 effects on C3 and C4 photosynthesis and in turn effects on Pure C3 feeders (collagen and apatite values shown), mixed feeders, and pure C4 feeders. See, p.435-436.
I posted 3 times and seem to have lost it every time. Tech problems? who knows. Think I will test this.Ok. I will give it another try. I simply want to talk about my specialty, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the impact of climate change issues on our regional environment. I see this matter as all inclusive, not separable into biological extinctions as opposed to plant extinctions. A good example would be the massive coal fired power plant in the 4 corners and the impact it has on the Hopi tribe and their ability to feed themselves. The extraction of coal requires enormous amounts of water which has depleted and polluted the aquifer for the Hopi to the extent that they can no longer grow enough corn to sustain themselves and their spiritual practices.
We have learned that C4 plants and their survival are threatened, this is a perfect example happening now. Corn has been a sacred responsibility to the people for thousands of years, and it is difficult indeed for most indigenous groups in this country to imagine life without their sacred mother plant. So a very way of being, and survival as a culture is threatened in addition to the plant becoming extinct. The circle I think of includes all who use the power from this plant, which is one of the largest in the U.S. It involves our need for electricity to run our universities and our casinos. All are involved and all need to know the devastating impact it has on the future. It is the responsibility of students of science to educate all in this circle, because it is difficult to envision from one end of the spectrum to the other. But I really believe we can help connect the dots and make change happen.
If anyone is interested I posted quite a few (meaning hundreds) of references regarding the 6th mass extinction event we are currently in, on last weeks blog. The lists includes journal articles from Science, Nature, PNAS, Biotropica, Climate Change, Journal of Applied Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation and many mass media reports. It has been shown over, over, and over again that the current extinction rates are higher than fossil records indicate.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested. Where did you post these references? Thanks!
DeleteI posted them on last weeks blog. I hope you and everyone else checks them out.
DeleteMike J
Thanks Mike, those were awesome articles
Delete-Jayda
Do we need our computers tomorrow or on Thursday to do the project?
ReplyDeleteHope everyone had a great spring break.
-Jayda
I had been told that we should have a lap top computer for this class, but when I mentioned last week I could get a used one refurbished I was told our last class was the last time we would need one. However, I've noted our current projects all involve making a presentation, which maybe could be loaded into a flash drive, but someone would have to give use of their lap top computer. Que no?
DeleteI also spent hours looking for research, but for Project 1, which did not appear at first blush to enjoy climate time blog wiki posting of research directed toward our project. Finally, found a few research documents, but only one might be applicable. I'll find out later tonight. The other references actually looked exciting, but are books. Unfortunately, UNM does not have them on the library shelves...
ReplyDeleteIf your talking about this isotope project just assigned try http://ehleringer.net/Jim/publications_continuing.html
DeleteThis is a list of Dr. Ehleringer's publications and has everything you would ever need. Also use the literature cited in any and all of his publications and you could write a disertation with only using those sources. GOOD LUCK
Mike J
Great resource Mike! Also, Alyse I forgot to mention that you could use UNM interlibrary loan to request those books. Just a thought...
DeleteThank you so much Mike, my brain is now swimming with possible data, which I will share with the other Project 1 members, and see if we can arrive at some consensus of what we can use! Is Dr. Ehleringer a real person or a group of people all researching under one pseudonym? lol
DeleteThank you Catherine, ordered a book tonight from the library! It's the one I really wanted, maybe they can get it here in time...
The following is a note in response to today's presentations. Source:Cerling, Thure E. et. al. “Global vegetation change through the Miocene/Pliocene boundary” Nature McMillan Publishers Vol 389 11 September 1997.
DeleteGlobal increase in the biomass of C4 plants indicated by carbon isotope rations of fossil tooth enamel of 226 different mammals in Asia, Africa, North America and South America, which may be related to decrease in atmospheric CO2 concentrations; change occurred earlier at lower latitudes as C3 photosynthesis is higher at warmer temperatures. Found no evidence for a significant C4 component in diets of mammals from Europe, Africa, Asia or the Americas. Striking change from C3 to C4 ecosystems first noted in Pakistan showing a change in C13 about 7Myr. Fig. 1 shows histograms of C13 for modern grasses, modern tooth enamel, and fossil tooth enamel >8Myr. P.154. (Note: of high-latitude sites, only Nebraska show significant C4 biomass in the diet where one C13 enamel value reaches -3%). Research indicated significant worldwide fauna change and change in diet in late Miocene and Pliocene. Pliocene witnessed sharp increase in seasonality with faunas evolving savanna-mosaic character. P.156
Another note regarding today's presentations:
DeleteTykot, R.H. 2004 article for Enrico Fermi course on “Stable isotopes and diet: You are what you eat”: Regarding C4 plants in human diets and its contribution to bone collagen and bone apatite may be estimated by interpolation. Authors urged caution, if succulent plants were present due to their use of CAM, which results in carbon isotope ratios similar to C4 plants. CAM plants unlikely to have been major sources of dietary protein, whether consumed directly or indirectly through herbivorous faunal intermediaries. Nitrogen isotope ratios for plants depend primarily on how they obtain their nitrogen (bacterial fixation, directly from soil nitrates). Nitrogen isotope rations vary according to rainfall, altitude and other factors, and both carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios vary considerably among marine organisms. Therefore, it is critical to establish site-relevant isotopic baseline for interpreting human skeletal data. Analyses of faunal remains provide good estimate of animals themselves and the plants they consume. Isotopic baseline important in coastal areas, as well as where C4 and/or CAM plants can be directly or indirectly consumed by humans. Fig. 1 on p.435 titled “Carbon Isotope Fractionation in Terrestrial Foodwebs” is good for view of atmospheric CO2 effects on C3 and C4 photosynthesis and in turn effects on Pure C3 feeders (collagen and apatite values shown), mixed feeders, and pure C4 feeders. See, p.435-436.
I posted 3 times and seem to have lost it every time. Tech problems? who knows. Think I will test this.Ok. I will give it another try.
ReplyDeleteI simply want to talk about my specialty, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the impact of climate change issues on our regional environment. I see this matter as all inclusive, not separable into biological extinctions as opposed to plant extinctions. A good example would be the massive coal fired power plant in the 4 corners and the impact it has on the Hopi tribe and their ability to feed themselves. The extraction of coal requires enormous amounts of water which has depleted and polluted the aquifer for the Hopi to the extent that they can no longer grow enough corn to sustain themselves and their spiritual practices.
We have learned that C4 plants and their survival are threatened, this is a perfect example happening now. Corn has been a sacred responsibility to the people for thousands of years, and it is difficult indeed for most indigenous groups in this country to imagine life without their sacred mother plant. So a very way of being, and survival as a culture is threatened in addition to the plant becoming extinct.
The circle I think of includes all who use the power from this plant, which is one of the largest in the U.S. It involves our need for electricity to run our universities and our casinos. All are involved and all need to know the devastating impact it has on the future. It is the responsibility of students of science to educate all in this circle, because it is difficult to envision from one end of the spectrum to the other. But I really believe we can help connect the dots and make change happen.
Father Sky and Mother Earth
ReplyDeleteembrace
I believe they weep
for each other
and us