Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted by observer with station number SC-BF-39 in Beaufort County, SC. On June 16th, they posted the report detailed below. We chose this report because the observer showed how soil moisture declined in a short period of time by observing changes in one area. This is a great method of collecting data! By tracking how conditions change in a particular location over time, you will be able to see how weather and climate affects the ecosystem there. These types of observations are great supplements to those you make in your backyard, neighborhood and around your community. Great job SC-BF-39!
Categories:
Plants and Wildlife
On June 16, I walked a very large undeveloped
lot near my home. There were two very large areas of standing water
where I could not walk; the areas without standing water were quite
wet-- squishy when you walked. Today, June 30, I went back to the same
area and was surprised to find there was no standing water anywhere; and
although the soil was damp, it was not squishy. This was a remarkable
change in conditions in a short two-week period.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Interested in more citizen science projects?
Well here are a couple of other project ideas to get involved in!
MyCoast: South Carolina is a project of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. MyCoast is a portal to collect and analyze pictures and data relating to coastal events. The information collected from MyCoast is used to visualize the impacts of coastal hazards and to enhance awareness among decision-makers and stakeholders. As of now there are currently two tools activated on the portal: capturing South Carolina's Highest Tides, and Documenting Storm Damage in South Carolina.
Here is a picture that was sent in from Awendaw, SC to the MyCoast portal of storm damage (on the website there is also a full report with the photo) :
Below is a picture of how DHEC illustrates the tide report and damage reporting that you provide through the MyCoast portal.
Interested in helping? Check out the link below for more information on how to get involved!
http://mycoast.org/sc
MyCoast: South Carolina is a project of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. MyCoast is a portal to collect and analyze pictures and data relating to coastal events. The information collected from MyCoast is used to visualize the impacts of coastal hazards and to enhance awareness among decision-makers and stakeholders. As of now there are currently two tools activated on the portal: capturing South Carolina's Highest Tides, and Documenting Storm Damage in South Carolina.
Here is a picture that was sent in from Awendaw, SC to the MyCoast portal of storm damage (on the website there is also a full report with the photo) :
Below is a picture of how DHEC illustrates the tide report and damage reporting that you provide through the MyCoast portal.
Interested in helping? Check out the link below for more information on how to get involved!
http://mycoast.org/sc
Another opportunity to help out with citizen science projects is here!
What is iCoast?
The USGS iCoast is a way for citizen scientists to identify changes to the coast by comparing aerial photographs taken before and after storms.
When asseessing coastal vulnerability to extreme storms, the USGS has developed a Storm-Impact Scale to produce Coastal Change Probability estimates.
The hurricane-induced water levels, due to both storm surge and waves, are compared to beach and dune elevations to determine the probabilities of these types of coastal change processes:
1. Beach Erosion-occurs when wave runup is confined to the beach
2. Dune Erosion-occurs when the base of the dune is eroded by waves and storm surge
3. Overwash- occurs when sand is transported and deposited landward over the beach and dune by waves and storm surge
4. Inundation- occurs when the beach and dune are completely and continuously submerged by stormsurge and wave runup
How to use iCoast:
Step 1: Log on to USGS iCoast with a Google Account
Step 2: Choose a Photo to Tag (a random photo, or use the map to find a photo)
Step 3: Complete 5 Tagging Tasks by Comparing the Pre- & Post-Storm Photos Using Magnifier Tool & Help Boxes, and Clicking the Predefined Tag Buttons
Step 4: See your Tagging Statistics, then choose another photo to tag
For more information on iCoast check out:
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/icoast
The USGS iCoast is a way for citizen scientists to identify changes to the coast by comparing aerial photographs taken before and after storms.
When asseessing coastal vulnerability to extreme storms, the USGS has developed a Storm-Impact Scale to produce Coastal Change Probability estimates.
The hurricane-induced water levels, due to both storm surge and waves, are compared to beach and dune elevations to determine the probabilities of these types of coastal change processes:
1. Beach Erosion-occurs when wave runup is confined to the beach
2. Dune Erosion-occurs when the base of the dune is eroded by waves and storm surge
3. Overwash- occurs when sand is transported and deposited landward over the beach and dune by waves and storm surge
4. Inundation- occurs when the beach and dune are completely and continuously submerged by stormsurge and wave runup
How to use iCoast:
Step 1: Log on to USGS iCoast with a Google Account
Step 2: Choose a Photo to Tag (a random photo, or use the map to find a photo)
Step 3: Complete 5 Tagging Tasks by Comparing the Pre- & Post-Storm Photos Using Magnifier Tool & Help Boxes, and Clicking the Predefined Tag Buttons
Step 4: See your Tagging Statistics, then choose another photo to tag
For more information on iCoast check out:
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/icoast
Monday, June 16, 2014
Condition Monitoring Star of the Week for June 9th-15th - Wake County, NC
For Condition Monitoring Stars of the Week we chose two reports posted by observer with station number NC-WK-6 in Wake County, NC. On June 9th their report detailed how dry conditions were affecting local plants and water levels. A few days later, on June 13th, they followed up with another report showing how abundant rain drastically improved the health of the area. We chose this report because it allows us to see how quickly ecosystems could bounce back after a short dry spell. This observer's reports show the usefulness of consistent reporting and we are deeply appreciative. Thank you NC-WK-6!
Categories:
Plants and Wildlife
Water Supply and Quality
Monday, June 9th
This is a supplemental report to my regular weekly reports. Yesterday (June 8) we saw the first signs of water stress on the river birch trees. Some leaves are turning yellow and dropping off the trees. This is not surprising as we have had 0,07 inches of rain since May 16. The number of yellow leaves is not large but it is noticeable. No other plants or trees are exhibiting signs of stress from lack of water yet. The creek still has water in it but the level on the pond is down at least 6 inches from full.
Friday, June 13th
The drought impact reported on Monday, June 9 was very short-lived. Since that report we have had 1.6 inches of rain in 4 days and any signs of water stress on the plants have been eliminated. The birch trees are no longer exhibiting any yellowed leaves and appear to be in robust health. All other plantings appear to be flourishing with full leaves on most and a few (red maples) still increasing leaf sizes. The soil is moist and has turned a bit soft in the low parts due to the recent rains. The creek is full and flowing, the pond is back up to it's normal full level.
Categories:
Plants and Wildlife
Water Supply and Quality
Monday, June 9th
This is a supplemental report to my regular weekly reports. Yesterday (June 8) we saw the first signs of water stress on the river birch trees. Some leaves are turning yellow and dropping off the trees. This is not surprising as we have had 0,07 inches of rain since May 16. The number of yellow leaves is not large but it is noticeable. No other plants or trees are exhibiting signs of stress from lack of water yet. The creek still has water in it but the level on the pond is down at least 6 inches from full.
Friday, June 13th
The drought impact reported on Monday, June 9 was very short-lived. Since that report we have had 1.6 inches of rain in 4 days and any signs of water stress on the plants have been eliminated. The birch trees are no longer exhibiting any yellowed leaves and appear to be in robust health. All other plantings appear to be flourishing with full leaves on most and a few (red maples) still increasing leaf sizes. The soil is moist and has turned a bit soft in the low parts due to the recent rains. The creek is full and flowing, the pond is back up to it's normal full level.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Welcome South Carolina Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners!
Last Monday, June 3rd, Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists from throughout South Carolina joined Amanda Brennan, Janae Davis and Ben Haywood in a webinar training to learn more about the CISA & CoCoRaHS citizen science condition monitoring project. We are pleased to have each of them join the project.
The webinar training slides are available on the the project website:
Welcome!
Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, June 2nd - 8th, Beaufort County, SC
Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on June 3rd by an observer with station number SC-BF-10. We chose this report because it shows how abundant rainfall affected water levels in local lagoons. It also notes changes in temperatures, humidity and evapotranspiration. Reports like these help us to better understand the affect of seasonal precipitation on local communities. Great job SC-BF-10!
We received 1.42" of rain this past week, bringing up the lagoon levels and replenishing some of the rainfall for May. Having said that, May fell 1.07" short for its average rainfall. We also experienced a slight cooling off with dry air - feels good, but evapotranspiration is higher during this period and it will be important to keep up with rainfall.
We received 1.42" of rain this past week, bringing up the lagoon levels and replenishing some of the rainfall for May. Having said that, May fell 1.07" short for its average rainfall. We also experienced a slight cooling off with dry air - feels good, but evapotranspiration is higher during this period and it will be important to keep up with rainfall.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Condition Monitoring Star of the Week - May 26th - June 1st, Craven County, NC
Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted by CoCoRaHS observer with station number NC-CN-31 in Craven County, NC. On May 27th, the observer posted the report below. We chose this report because it describes the many ways local weather is affecting agriculture, businesses, plants and wildlife in their community. Their report is detailed, thorough and reveals how dry conditions is stressing social systems and the natural environment. We hope conditions get better, NC-CN-31. Thank you for your awesome report!
Categories:
Agriculture
Business and Industry
Plants and Wildlife
Wkly rpt: May 25th thru May 31st: It has been two weeks (fourteen days) in which the total precipitation has been only 3/100th of an inch. Many days rain was predicted (with a 30-40% chance to no avail.) The winds have been slightly elevated which has added to the surface drying effects. The temperatures have been high, with only a day or two "below normal for this time of year". Tomatoes, although flowering did happen slightly, are not setting fruit. The peppers are doing well, the blueberries are ripening as are the raspberries. Squashes are beginning to flower and set fruit. Peas struggled this year. BIRDS: The meat eaters are having a difficult time since no rainfall means little ability to forage worms and even insects; we are noticing a strange situation with the barn swallows in that we have two nests ( with babies ) abandoned - the babies died ; and another nest that was built but not used. The hummingbird population is less this year than the same period last year. CROPS: Tobacco is doing all right - manual labor out weeding; the corn is not doing well; the wheat is dried; the buckwheat is still blooming ( but could have used a little more water ) as is the white clovers. Magnolias are blooming, but leaves appear stressed - especially on the "little gem: variety. Last fall we had a huge infestation of web worms which first effected the sweet gums, then the hollies, then the long leaf pines ( different worms/catepillars). So we are seeing the webs now again on the hollies - especially the Nellie R Stevens variety ( not so much on the American, Savannah or Foster varieties.) We are spending copious amounts of resources irrigating. Both time and water ( well and county ). The honeybees have been foraging on the buckwheat and clover as the persimmon trees are done blooming. We anticipate extracting honey within 10 days.
Categories:
Agriculture
Business and Industry
Plants and Wildlife
Wkly rpt: May 25th thru May 31st: It has been two weeks (fourteen days) in which the total precipitation has been only 3/100th of an inch. Many days rain was predicted (with a 30-40% chance to no avail.) The winds have been slightly elevated which has added to the surface drying effects. The temperatures have been high, with only a day or two "below normal for this time of year". Tomatoes, although flowering did happen slightly, are not setting fruit. The peppers are doing well, the blueberries are ripening as are the raspberries. Squashes are beginning to flower and set fruit. Peas struggled this year. BIRDS: The meat eaters are having a difficult time since no rainfall means little ability to forage worms and even insects; we are noticing a strange situation with the barn swallows in that we have two nests ( with babies ) abandoned - the babies died ; and another nest that was built but not used. The hummingbird population is less this year than the same period last year. CROPS: Tobacco is doing all right - manual labor out weeding; the corn is not doing well; the wheat is dried; the buckwheat is still blooming ( but could have used a little more water ) as is the white clovers. Magnolias are blooming, but leaves appear stressed - especially on the "little gem: variety. Last fall we had a huge infestation of web worms which first effected the sweet gums, then the hollies, then the long leaf pines ( different worms/catepillars). So we are seeing the webs now again on the hollies - especially the Nellie R Stevens variety ( not so much on the American, Savannah or Foster varieties.) We are spending copious amounts of resources irrigating. Both time and water ( well and county ). The honeybees have been foraging on the buckwheat and clover as the persimmon trees are done blooming. We anticipate extracting honey within 10 days.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
CoCoRaHS founder Nolan Doesken To Speak at Appalachian State
The founder of CoCoRaHS will be speaking at Appalachian
State next week - check it out if you’re in the area!
There will be public parking available after 5:30 p.m. in the
College Street Parking Deck, which is adjacent to the Belk Library. Learn more at: http://www.news.appstate.edu/2014/05/20/nolan-doesken/
Nolan will also be the banquet speaker for the 71st
Eastern Snow Conference which is being held June 3-5 at Appalachian. The event
is open to the public, but attendees must register online. More information, including registration rates can be found at: http://www.easternsnow.org/annual_meeting.html.
It should be a great presentation and conference! If you are
in the neighborhood try and check it out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)