Helens+Journal

= Journal Entry 1: Humankind and Climate = toc September 11, 2010

The global temperature has been steadily increasing year by year, so has the climate been changed by human activity? So if, how would the climate evolve in the future? Although often used interchangeably, the terms weather and climate are different. Weather is the state of atmosphere with respect to temperature, cloudiness, pressure, etc. It is constantly changing and cannot be predicted. Climate, on the other hand, is almost like an average of the weather over a period of time showing a certain trends and themes, therefore it can be predicted. The change in Earth's climate has been nominal, however this does not account for the huge variability in day-to-day weather. Because even a relatively insignificant average temperature shift can have important effects on human welfare.

The temperature on Earth is basically a reflection of the energy balance in the form of heat. Earth is continually trying to regulate the absorption and emission of heat. Sunlight is the incoming energy to Earth while some of the radiation is reflected back into spaces, some are absorbed by the body of the planet or trapped in the atmosphere by the Greenhouse gases. One important Greenhouse gas is Carbon Dioxide, and others include water vapor and methane. Water vapor recycles through a feedback loop and the amount of vapor in the atmosphere depends on the climate. In contrast, the concentration of Carbon Dioxide depends on the carbon cycle as well as human activity. Due to burning of fossil fuel, humans have released a large amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere that cannot be recycled fast enough by plants and ocean. So increase in Carbon Dioxide amplifies the Greenhouse effect, thus heats up the Earth.

From observations, it can be concluded that Earth is getting warmer, and the forecast for the climate is an 2-5 degrees increase in temperature by 2100 although it is rather difficult to asses the long term changes in the climate. In addition, to determine the impact of global warming on humanity introduce other branches of sciences such as social sciences and economics.

= = = Journal Entry 2: The Habitable Planet = September 7, 2010

As far as we know, Earth is only habitable planet in the solar system. So what makes it so special? This is partially because Earth has natural cycles to regulate and maintain a temperate condition so it can sustain life. The atmosphere is one system that has an enormous contribution to Earth’s moderate climate. However, due to strange weather patterns and rise in temperature the concept “global warming” has become a hot topic as people debated over whether or not humans can interfere and influence our living environment. Two notable research scientists, Pieter Tan and Kerry Emanuel, have been working to understand the processes and mechanics involved in the atmosphere system in order to assess the effects of human activities.

While both research scientists are concerned with the changing climate patterns, they took on very different approaches. To understand the potentially human induced c limate changes, both Pieter and Emanuel directed their attention to the atmosphere because the layer of gases blanketing the Earth plays a vital role in regulation temperature and circulation of air. Researcher Pieter Tan studied the regulation aspect of the atmosphere, more specifically the carbon cycle, to see how the exchange of carbon in the biosphere affect climate patterns and whether or not humans are able to alter the environment and have cause global warming due to heightened carbon concentration. On the other hand, Kerry Emanuel examined the function of hurricanes in relation to climate control. Although hurricanes historically carries a negative connotation because its destructive natures, Emanuel hypothesized that these violent natural phenomenon may actually be responsible of moderating temperature.

To conduct their research experiments, both scientists employed observational research methods. The experiments consisted of monitoring and collecting data over a long period of time, mostly through quantitative observations. Tan and his team monitored the concentration of carbon over an extended period of time in a wide range of environments in order to form an inclusive and complete study about the carbon cycle in the biosphere. Because natural hurricanes cannot be studied regularly, Emanuel and his team modeled stimulations of hurricanes using computer programs and compared these models to natural hurricanes to draw conclusions. In addition, Emanuel was able to observe and study the mechanism of hurricanes on a miniature scale in lab machines. Although both recorded observations to support their hypothesis, the methods differed in analysis. Tan used graphical analysis to model and comprehend trends seen over a fifty year period. In contrast, Emanuel used a comparative approach, and the disparities between the model and real hurricanes were interpreted to understand the process better.

Through these undergoing researches, scientists have learned a great deal about Earth’s atmosphere and its role in regulation and maintenance. No doubt, Earth is special because it has ways to protects itself and adjust to the changes. However, the results of these researches have suggested that human interference in the environment could potentially offset the existing system of administration such as the Carbon cycle and the tropical thunderstorms. Therefore, more studies must be conducted to assess the consequences of human actions in order to maintain health interaction between human and its environment.

= Journal Entry 3: Research Project =

§ What is the research question being asked by this project?

Essentially, the purpose of the research is to investigate how plants regulate their carbon consumption in different climate conditions. The differences might give us insight into how plants moderate the atmosphere with elevated level of carbon dioxide.

§ What are the methods being used to answer those research questions?

The rate of sap flow will be measured to determine the amount of carbon dioxide taken up by the trees on NCSSM campus. Then the collected data will be compared to those from a non-urban area to see how the plants regulate carbon consumption differently since the environments are different. Measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, amount of photosynthically active light that reaches the tree, and soil moisture will be analyzed as well. Sap flow in a tree will be measured by two probes inserted into the tree and the difference in temperature between the two probes over time gives the speed at which the liquid is traveling.

§ What data or information has been collected to date?

Similar data from a non-urban area has been collected and stored in a database. These are known as the FACE (Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment Experiments) experiments since these trees were grown at carbon dioxide elevated areas under open-air conditions.

§ What might the next step, your next step be?

Maybe the next step would be investigating plant respiration. Since plants take up more carbon dioxide when there is more of it in the atmosphere, does this mean the amount of carbon dioxide produced through respiration would increase as well?