Test Questions

1) As rain clouds move east off the western coast of the United States they come into contact with massive mountains. Explain the weather phenomena that results and on which side of the mountain you would find moisture loving plants.

2) Leaving metals outside exposes them to a variety of elements, after awhile they tend to rust. Is this chemical or physical weathering. Explain.

3) Of the three textures of soil which is best used to line a landfill in order to prevent leaching? For placing under a foundation?

No More Northeast

I read the USGCRP report on the Northeast and how climate change will impact this region.

Winter precipitation is expected to see an increase in rain and a decrease in snow. The snow will melt earlier in the spring, which means earlier peak river flows. Overall the snow season is expected to be cut in half in the northern states of this region. This is terrible news for the ski industry and the devoted skiers. Additionally summers are expected to be longer and hotter.

                With the change in climate there will be a shift of tree species. Generally the species at their southern limits will retreat north. Tree species that exist just south of the northeast will take advantage and move north. This means that there will be less fir and spruce species, which are already restricted to alpine and northern zones. Maple, a symbol of Vermont, will be moving north as well. This has economic implications, both for sugaring and tourism. Trees will not be the only species to migrate; other plants and animals will be forced to move north or to higher elevations as temperatures rise.

                The dairy industry accounts for $3.6 billion in the northeast’s economy. An increase in temperature causes stress in the cows which results in lower milk production; in some states milk production could be reduced as much as 20 percent. The report mentions that this could be a serious underestimation of the economic downturn farmers may experience. Additionally this will subtract from the traditional scenery of the northeast.

                The heavily populated coast is threatened by sea level rises and could result in catastrophic damage. Insurers are hesitant to insure coastal homeowners. New York City is especially vulnerable to flooding; one would imagine that such a prosperous city would begin planning for the worst.

                Finally the fisheries, which are already threatened, are facing increasing pressure from rising temperatures. I grew up fishing off the coast of Massachusetts, and traveling along the New Hampshire and Maine coastline. It would be a devastating blow to lose the fishing industry. It is an integral part of New England life. Almost everything that defines the Northeast is threatened by the rising temperatures. If everyone in the world had access to reports like this it might make a significant difference. When the impacts of climate change are explicitly laid out in relation to your home it makes a huge difference. If people took this to heart, there could be amazing changes. At this point drastic actions must be taken. Perhaps the most viable is to annex Canada and move north.

Largest organism in the world

            (Kuo, 2008) (Armillaria ostoyae, honey mushroom)

                Underneath the surface of the earth is an array of microorganism and fungi that drive decomposition, recycle nutrients and literally shape the earth. It is far too easy to overlook the role that these organisms play in our everyday life. Even gardeners often overlook the white strands that help form soil aggregates. The white strands are the “body” of the mushroom, also known as mycelium. Mycelium is a colony of genetically identical single celled organisms that combine to form hyphae. The thing strands grow dense and form a mycelia mat; these organisms excrete enzymes to break down and digest organic matter. (Casselman, 2007)

                In 1998 a species of honey mushroom (Armillaria ostoyae) was discovered in Oregon’s Blue Mountains. It is the largest known organism in the world. The honey mushroom covers 956 hectares and is thought to be about 2400 years old. This particular fungus was discovered by scientists measuring the boundaries of fungi. When they didn’t find the edge the first year it was clear they had found a giant fungus. Using genetic testing scientists were able to determine that the organism was all derived from the same organism. This particular mushroom is a parasitic fungus that has killed the forest above it many times over. Many foresters pay close attention to parasitic fungi because they are concerned that they could destroy valuable timber stands. This species infects the roots of conifers. Despite the potential economic woes, this mushroom serves many ecological functions. It helps recycle nutrients, kills the weaker trees and allows for new plants to colonize the open areas. Additionally it helps build soils and encourages various levels of succession within the forest. (Casselman, 2007)

                Armillaria ostoyae is found growing at the base of coniferous trees. This mushroom can be identified by the brown color and dark brown scales on the cap. The cap ranges from 3 to 20cm and is typically convex to flat. Gills are white and the spores are also white. A spore print can be taken by removing the cap and placing it underneath a bowl on an index card for approximately 6 to 12 hours. This is generally considered an edible species; however, there are reports of bad reactions among some people.  (Kuo, 2008)

Works Cited

Casselman, Anne. "Strange but True: The Largest Organism on Earth Is a Fungus: Scientific American." Strange but True: The Largest Organism on Earth Is a Fungus: Scientific American. Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2007. Web. 07 Feb. 2013.

Kuo, Michael. "Armillaria Ostoyae (MushroomExpert.Com)." Armillaria Ostoyae (MushroomExpert.Com). Mushroomexpert.com, Feb. 2008. Web. 07 Feb. 2013.