Project Reflection
For this project, we went out to Durango Nature Studies to conduct field work such as testing the water quality, collecting macro- invertebrates and conducting a visual encounter study to evaluate the property. We then analyzed the data by assessing water quality, conducting Shannon-Weiner, sorting macro- invertebrates and putting our visual encounter study results into charts. We then wrote management and monitoring plans based on the data we collected and the research we did to help give Durango Nature Studies an idea of the quality of their property and habitat.
In the article Time to Stop Worrying about Invasive Species by Karen Hopkin, Hopkin discusses whether the native versus the non-native issues are becoming a moot question. In the article, Hopkin points out that when we think of non-native we think of “an invasive animal or plant that’s pushing out the native species and wreaking havoc on the local ecology” but we usually don’t ever question if they are really harming the habitat. Hopkin even brings up that some native species (such as the mountain pine beetle) have more of a negative impact then non-native species do. Although non-native species can be harmful, not all are. So when asking whether or not native versus the non-native issues are becoming a moot question, the real question is whether the species belongs.
I think bullfrogs are and should be a concern in Colorado. In the article Time to Stop Worrying about Invasive Species, Hopkin states that species should be categorized based on their impact on the local environment, rather than where they came from. And right now, bullfrogs are currently out-competing, directly predating and threatening native species: Rana pipiens (leopard frogs). According to the ICUN (2011), one in three amphibians is in danger of extinction. Right now bullfrogs are pushing leopard frogs in that direction. This is another concern because biodiversity equals stability and with a whole species gone, our stability would lower.
I believe the work we did in the past 8 weeks was worth it. Even if our management plans don’t work, I think it was worthwhile to learn about this invasive species issue locally and globally. I say a global issue because as I stated before, diversity equals stability and with more species becoming extinct or endangered, we have a less stable ecosystem.
Two of the biggest things I learned in this project are how to write technically and understanding/ analyzing scientific literature. Before this project, I had never written a scientific paper that was all technical writing. Throughout this project I got a good understanding of how technical writing should look and sound. Although it can still be a little bit challenging at times, I find technical writing much easier to write now. Another thing I learned is how to read large scientific papers and picking the most important part and analyzing it.
To read about my responses and opinions on different writings we read in Biology, click on the following link: http://jessie-bioblog.blogspot.com/
