New CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring Project Webpage

CISA has posted a new webpage about the CoCoRaHS citizen science condition monitoring project!

The link is: http://www.cisa.sc.edu/CoCoRaHS.html 

The new webpage goes into detail about what CoCoRaHs is, what citizen science is, and why CoCoRaHS is so important. It also illustrates the different ways that our volunteers can contribute to CISA's citizen science condition monitoring project. There links on the webpage to the monthly newsletter and information materials about the project as well as to the 'Cuckoo for CoCoRaHS in the Carolinas' blog.

Be sure to check out the new webpage and share the link with others who might be interested in participating!

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, May 17 - 25th - Beaufort, SC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week is station number SC-BF-39.  On May 23rd, they submitted the report below.  We chose this report because it offers a clear picture of the hot and dry conditions in their location.  Their report notes rainfall measurements along with excellent examples showing how weather is affecting their neighbors and local wildlife. Great job SC-BF-39!

Categories: Plants and Wildlife

In the last 21 days, we have had only 0.21 inches of rain. Little rain in combination with some very hot days has made the ground quite dry; as a result, people in our neighborhood have been using their irrigation systems. This evening, when my husband was hand watering some of our plants with a hose, a tufted titmouse flew to one of the plants he was watering less than six feet away from where he was standing to get a drink off the droplets on the leaves. Even the birds are noticing the dry conditions! It is hard to believe that conditions have changed so radically since my last report.

Third National Climate Assessment

You might have heard about the release of the Third U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA) in the news recently. There has been a lot of coverage about this report!

The NCA, released on May 6, 2014 by the US Global Change Research Program, is the most comprehensive, authoritative scientific report ever generated about climate changes that are happening now in the U.S. and further changes that we can expect to see throughout this century. The report confirms that climate change is affecting Americans in every region of the United States and key sectors of the national economy. The findings about climate change are translated from scientific insights into practical, usable knowledge that can help decision makers and citizens anticipate and prepare for specific climate change impacts.  The new NCA is a result of a three-year analytic effort by a team of over 300 climate scientists and experts, informed by inputs gathered from technical reports, town hall meetings, public comment opportunities, and technical workshops.

The assessment begins by stating that "climate change, once considered an issue for a distant future, has moved firmly into the present". The report discusses how climate change will move directly into American homes, citing models that show a potential for worsened rates of asthma, and higher pollen levels that may trigger allergies, among other effects. The report states that U.S. temperatures have warmed 1.3 to 1.9 degrees since 1895, with most of the increase coming since 1970. Sea levels have risen and residents of some coastal cities see their streets flood more regularly during storms and high tides. Inland cities near large rivers also experience more flooding after heavy rainfall events.

Now how may this relate to those of you doing your condition monitoring reports? It relates to you because you are collecting local condition data that helps assessments such as the NCA monitor localized changes. It also helps us collect the data we need to collaborate with our partners such as the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), the Southeast Regional ClimateCenter (SECRCC) and the North Carolina and South Carolina state climate offices, to report your findings so that we are aware of what is going on in your town. As you continue submitting condition monitoring reports, especially if you continue the practice into the future, you may run into local changes yourself such as when certain trees or flowers bloom in your area or changes in rainfall patterns. Keeping written records of this type of information will help to document the types of changes we may begin to see and when those changes begin to occur.

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, May 3rd-11th - Buncombe County, NC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week is station number NC-BC-62 who posted the following report on May 9th. We chose this report because it let's us know about moisture conditions in their community and the ways it affects multiple groups.  Their report also highlights how broader weather conditions maybe affecting the local economy.  Nice job NC-BC-62!

Above average temperatures in the low normal precipitation has created a hot dry dusty spring. Tourists are returning and the farmers markets are opening and produce is scarce and at a premium. Pollen counts are high and gardeners are using supplemental watering to get their spring starts going.

NIDIS Newsletter Features CISA-CoCoRaHS Research

The Spring 2014 edition of "Dry Times", a newsletter published by the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), features an article about the CISA-CoCoRaHS project.  It describes the project and its purpose along with other research CISA is conducting to help NIDIS understand how drought affects South Carolina's coastal ecosystems and socioeconomic systems. The newsletter also includes information about drought impacts across the U.S. and the research directed by Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments teams (RISAs) to better understand them.   You can view the newsletter here.  The article about CISA's parternship with CoCoRaHS is on page 11.

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week - Polk County, NC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week goes to CoCoRaHS observer with station number, NC-PK-16.  We chose this one because it portrays local moisture conditions very well, their affect on plants and how the observer responded. On April 27th, the observer made the following report.

Currently there seems to be no drought. Soil is moist in the first few inches of depth, with the top first quarter-inch being dry, except under mulch and low-growing plants. There are no standing pools of water on the property. We have had no need to water or irrigate any plants, except those we have just planted or transplanted. More trees have leaves from opening buds.

Great job NC-PK-16!