CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS

Transcription

1 EARTHWATCH 2015 CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/18/15Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/18/15

2 MESSAGES FROM EARTHWATCH DEAR EARTHWATCHER, Welcome to the Wytham Woods Carbon Dynamics Monitoring Project! We hope you will find your research experience on this expedition both valuable and enjoyable. Our research relies heavily on volunteers willing to assist with data collection, so we thank you for joining us! During your time with us we aim to increase your understanding of forest ecology and the scientific techniques used to study forests. We look forward to sharing with you our knowledge of carbon dynamics, woodlands and ecological fieldwork techniques. We will also have a great time exploring the trees, soils and different habitats within Wytham Woods! Wytham has been a very special place for woodland research over the last 70 years and we re sure that you will enjoy being part of this. We look forward to meeting you all in the field during Kind regards, Martha and Alan Dr Martha Crockatt (Earthwatch Research Manager, Wytham Woods; Visiting Research Associate, Environmental Change Unit, University of Oxford) Dr Alan Jones (Earthwatch Research Manager, Wytham Woods; Visiting Research Associate, Environmental Change Unit, University of Oxford) DEAR EARTHWATCHER, Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science and conservation. As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you re out in the field working toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in which we work, we ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for over 40 years. You re in good hands. We hope this expedition will inspire you to get more involved in conservation and sustainable development priorities not just out in the field, but also when you return home. We encourage you to share your experiences with others, and to transfer your skills and enthusiasm to environmental conservation efforts in your workplace, community, and home. If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support, and enjoy your expedition! Sincerely, Larry Mason President and CEO, Earthwatch 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INFORMATION... 4 TRIP PLANNER... 5 EXPEDITION PACKING LIST... 6 THE RESEARCH... 7 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD... 8 PROJECT CONDITIONS... 9 PROJECT STAFF RECOMMENDED READING EMERGENCY NUMBERS

4 GENERAL INFORMATION CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS Dr. Martha Crockatt, Earthwatch Research Manager Dr. Alan Jones, Earthwatch Research Manager RESEARCH SITE Wytham Woods, Oxford, U.K. EXPEDITION DATES Team 1: July 25, 2015 Team 2: Aug. 1, 2015 Team 3: Sept. 19, 2015 Please refrain from booking flights until you receive your complete rendezvous information, which will be sent to you upon request. 4

5 TRIP PLANNER CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS TRIP PLANNER IMMEDIATELY Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch s Terms and Conditions and the Participant Code of Conduct. If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance, note that some policies require purchase when your expedition is booked. 90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your volunteer forms. Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition. Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning section for details). If traveling internationally, make sure your passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa for your destination country. 60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for your project site. Review the Packing Checklist to make sure you have all the clothing, personal supplies and equipment needed. 30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with a relative or friend. Leave copies of your passport, visa, and airline tickets with a relative or friend. Read this expedition briefing thoroughly. It provides the most accurate information available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist s project planning, and will likely answer any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure, and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations. If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will make every effort to keep you well informed before you go into the field. 5

6 EXPEDITION PACKING LIST CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS EXPEDITION PACKING LIST GENERAL This expedition briefing CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts to be worn over shortsleeved shirts for sun protection. Lightweight field trousers. Waterproof gear (trousers and jacket with hat or attached hood). Comfortable and waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots or rubber boots Light, warm jumper/sweater Wide brimmed hat for sun protection FIELD SUPPLIES Water bottle(s) able to hold at least one litre of water. Small drypack to keep your personal items together and dry. Insect repellent (ideally fragrance-free or with a mild perfume); oil-based repellent such as Skin-so-Soft by Avon is especially effective against black flies. Suncreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher. Sunglasses. Reading glasses, if required, so that you can accurately read dendrometer bands. Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands while in the field). A packed lunch and snacks for the day (food is not provided). 6

7 THE RESEARCH CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS THE STORY Billions of people around the world rely on trees and forests for food, shelter, fuel, medicines, stable soils, clean air and fresh water. In recent years, the role of forests in capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions from human activities has come to the fore. Forests provide a significant opportunity to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon. Forests hold more carbon in trees and soils than any other terrestrial habitat. Climate change and elevated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase the growth of trees that live in colder climates, thereby capturing more carbon. However, climate change will also increase the activity of the bacteria and fungi that break down carbon compounds stored in forest soils, releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. If decomposition outpaces tree growth, then these forests will paradoxically increase the carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere. Not only are forests subject to changing climate, but they are also increasingly subject to human disturbance. Forests across most of Europe are already severely fragmented due to road building, urbanization and agricultural expansion. As so much forest is disturbed in this manner, it is important to understand carbon cycling in disturbed, as well as primary, forests. Our research at Wytham focuses on carbon cycling in a typical heavily fragmented landscape, quantifying various aspects of forest carbon cycling over a number of years to understand how weather and fragmentation interact to impact the role of the forests in the carbon cycle. YOUR CONTRIBUTION Each team will make an important contribution to our ongoing data collection. The field research entails a methodical effort that requires intense, repetitive labour to collect data needed for scientific analysis. You will have the opportunity to learn about the field techniques required to generate this important information and will work collaboratively as a team in the field to gather data for the research project. Field tasks will be thoroughly explained and demonstrated at the start of the day, and you will be supervised until you reach a level of proficiency. Activities may include assessing tree growth by measuring changes in diameter with a tape measure or digital calipers, using an infra-red gas analyser to measure soil carbon dioxide emissions and taking photos of the forest canopy to assess leaf phenology. These measurements are repeated across our network of plots in and around Wytham Woods; we may visit more than one research site, walking between them within the woods. You will be fully trained in the data collection techniques and on completing data sheets before we get started. You may also be asked to assist with data entry at the end of the day, an invaluable part of data collection. 7

8 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS ABOUT WYTHAM WOODS The project takes place in Wytham Woods on the outskirts of Oxford. The adjacent village of Wytham derives its name from Ydyr Leah (pronounced lther-lear ), meaning Great Wood in the ancient British language. Having formerly been part of the estate of the Earls of Abingdon, Wytham Woods passed in to the care of the University of Oxford in 1943 and is used extensively for teaching and student research. The estate encompasses 775 hectares of ancient woodland, secondary woodland, conifer plantation, grassland, riverine habitat, and mixed farmland. The ancient areas of woodland have been forested since prehistoric times and form part of Wytham Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI a government-prescribed level of protection for a nature reserve of national importance), lying in a loop of the River Thames. Over 3,800 vertebrate and invertebrate animal species and 600 plant species have been recorded. Wytham has been the the focus of extensive research by University of Oxford and other ecologists since it was gifted to the University in the 1940s; as a microcosm of lowland English countryside, Wytham provides unrivalled opportunities for research and training. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Accommodation will not be provided by the project; it will be the responsibility of the volunteers to make their own arrangements if required. There is a wide range of accommodation in Oxford and the surrounding countryside. Volunteers must bring their own lunches; the team may break and return to the field station to eat lunch if the weather is very bad, but it is likely we will eat in the field at the research site. It is a long day in the field, so you may also wish to bring some snacks. You should bring a minimum of one litre of water with you to keep hydrated throughout the day. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival. ITINERARY 9:00 9:30 a.m. Arrival and Introduction 9:30 10:30 a.m. Introduction to forests and climate changes and the day s research 1:30 4:30 p.m. Research tasks 4:30 5:00 p.m. Wrap-up and departure 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Research tasks 12:30 1:30 p.m. Lunch 8

9 PROJECT CONDITIONS THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT GENERAL CONDITIONS The research site is a quiet area within the Oxfordshire countryside. Wytham woods are are not managed in the way a woodland open to the public might be. Therefore participants must listen to and follow the researcher s instructions at all times. GENERAL CONDITIONS HUMIDITY: 40% 70% TEMPERATURE RANGE: 59º 80º F (15º 28º C) ALTITUDE: Sea Level RAINFALL: 28in (720 mm; annual total) ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: All participants must be able, independently or with the assistance of a companion, to: All participants must be able, independently or with the assistance of a companion, to: Follow verbal and/or visual instructions. Enjoy being outdoors all day in all types of weather, including rain, heat, and humidity, in the potential presence of insects. Fieldwork WILL continue in rainy conditions. Hike up to three miles round-trip, over uneven terrain, through vegetation and steering clear of obstacles such as animal holes and sharp branches Get low enough to the ground for extended periods of time to measure plants and collect samples. Carry personal daily supplies such as lunch, water, and some small field equipment. 9

10 POTENTIAL HAZARDS CLIMATE CHANGE IN WYTHAM WOODS HAZARD TYPE Terrain and Project Tasks Animals and Plants ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS There will be up to a 45-minute walk to the research site along grassy tracks with a slight incline; it is unlikely but possible that there will be vehicles travelling along these tracks. The research areas are generally flat, but there are rabbit holes, fallen branches and brambles that create uneven ground, as well as branches at head and eye level, thus care should be taken while moving through the woods. Depending on the tasks, bending will be required, and some lifting or carrying but nothing in excess of five kilograms. You will be on your feet moving around the plot most of the day. In the course of the day participants will walk up to 1.5 miles within the site. Please note that there are no toilet facilities at the research site. Bramble, blackthorn, hawthorn and dog rose are all present and have sharp thorns, so we advise participants to wear long sleeved trousers and shirts during fieldwork. During the summer months pollen counts can be high, and insects are present, including ticks which have the potential to carry Lymes Disease. Participants may wish to wear insect repellent and if participants have any allergies they must bring the necessary medication with them and make their condition, and the whereabouts of relevant medication, known to the staff. Hands should always be washed after being in the field, especially before eating. EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD While on the project you will always be accompanied by members of the staff that are first aid trained. In an emergency, participants would be transported by ambulance or project vehicle to the nearest hospital. If a volunteer needs to leave early for emergency purposes, the project team will help to arrange transportation. For emergency assistance in the field, please contact Earthwatch s 24-hour emergency hotline in the U.K. at +44 (0) Earthwatch is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on call to respond to messages that come into our live answering service. 10

11 PROJECT STAFF YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD DR MARTHA CROCKATT is a forest ecologist working at Earthwatch as a research manager for Wytham Woods, studying the impacts of climate and human disturbance on forest carbon cycling, with a particular interest in decomposition. She has worked for Earthwatch since 2010, focusing primarily on Wytham research, but also having run programmes on adaptation of ash trees to local climate, impacts of paper packaging on forest carbon dynamics and the use of charcoal as a crop soil amendment. Martha has also conducted research into the ecology of wood decomposing fungi, impacts of landfill sites on forest ecology and weed, soil and disease dynamics in organic agricultural systems. Throughout her career Martha has maintained an interest in science communication, and sees working with the public as an important way of increasing the impact of her research. When not measuring trees Martha enjoys knitting, skiing, riding her bike and baking. DR ALAN JONES, is a Research Manager at Earthwatch, working on the long-term Climate Change and ancient woodland research programme at Wytham Woods in Oxfordshire. His previous research has targeted Climate Change in Arctic tundra, sustainable resource use in tropical forests, eucalyptus decline in Australia and the impact of nitrogen air pollution to heathlands in the UK. Alan is especially interested in the ways that soil and plant biogeochemistry can be used to reveal human impacts to ecosystems. NOTE: All staff schedules are subject to change. 11

12 RECOMMENDED READING YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME ARTICLES title_406210_en.html europes-forests-particularly-vulnerable-to-rapidclimate-change EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA Get to know Earthwatch better at: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/earthwatch YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITE european-forests-wytham 12

13 EMERGENCY NUMBERS AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT EARTHWATCH S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE Call Earthwatch s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.K.: +44 (0) In the unlikely event no one answers immediately, leave a message with our answering service. State that you have an emergency and give the name of your expedition, your name, the location from which you are calling, and if possible, a phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff member will respond to your call within one hour. TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER: HEALIX INTERNATIONAL (collect calls and reverse charges accepted) U.S. TOLL FREE: U.K. FREE PHONE: [email protected] You may contact Healix International at any time. They can assist in the event of a medical or evacuation emergency or for routine medical and travel advice, such as advice on visas and vaccine requirements. 13