Ecology Slides

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Classification and Taxonomy Refresher

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricetidae Family: Cricetidae  -608 species of rodents that have large, gnawing incisors, tails (furry or bald) and fur that is mostly brown with a white underbelly  -Can grow from 2 inches long to 24 inches long -Weight varies from 0.25 ounces to 2.4 pounds  Subfamily: Muroidea  -Large superfamily of rodents that includes mice, rats, voles, hamsters, lemmings and gerbils  Order: Rodentia  -Rodents that have a single pair of continuously growing incisors on the upper and lower jaw  Class: Mammalia  -Contains mammary glands that produce milk, a neocortex region of the brain, fur/hair and three middle ear bones  Phylum: Chordata  -Contains a notochord, hollow dorsal nerve cord, endostyle/thyroid, pharyngeal slits and a post-anal tail at some point during their larval/adult stage  Kingdom: Animalia  -Multicellular, eukaryotic organizations that consume organic material, breathe oxygen, contain abili...
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Rationale of Choosing the Blue Heron Nature Preserve

For my project, my study area will be the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in north Atlanta, Georgia. The nature preserve includes the 3-mile Blueway Trail within 30 acres of the nature preserve; the preserve is made up of meadows, woodlands, wetlands and riparian. They have over 28 plant species and over 35 animal species, so I think it gives a lot of opportunities for investigating and documenting the biodiversity. The nature reserve also promotes certain aspects of each area: the meadows promote reintroduction of pollinators, the woodlands promote proper burning of firewood to reduce tree disease, the wetlands promote the importance of water quality and the riparian promotes runoff education. The are also has over 13 research conservation projects, including a turtle sanctuary, rain garden, Neighborhood Water Watch program and the Field Research Center Native Pollinator Garden. I think the Blue Heron Nature Preserve has a lot of opportunity to be a great source of information for this pro...
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Climate and Weather Information

Drought Monitor:   https://www.drought.gov/states/georgia The first resource I thought would be relevant is a drought monitor, since droughts can increase the chance of wildfires and change the structure of wetlands. NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System maps out the U.S. Drought Monitor, USDM 1-Week Change Map, Short-Term Multi-Indicator Drought Index and Long-Term Multi-Indicator Drought Index. The map utilizes five classifications for their Drought and Dryness Categories: abnormally dry (D0), moderate drought (D1), severe drought (D2), extreme drought (D3), exceptional drought (D4). Since the Blue Heron Nature Preserve contains Nancy Creek and surrounding wetlands, monitoring droughts is a vital preparedness and mitigation tool.  Precipitation:  https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/past-weather/Atlanta%2C%20Georgia Nancy Creek runs through the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, so monitoring precipitation is also essential. NOAA's National Center for Environmental...
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