As a child, I remember visiting several museums of natural history and seeing the vast collections of insects, birds, and all the other animals, plants and minerals. I read accounts of naturalists' detailed observations of animal species describing their habits and behaviors. So much can be learned simply by quiet, unobtrusive observation. It is really the only way to learn how animals behave when they are not being influenced by human presence.
Today, we may modern tools to help us observe animals in their natural habitats. We have trail cameras, for example, that not only take still photos, but also record video clips of animals in the wild. GPS monitors can follow the extended flight paths of birds in a way that no clever naturalist could ever hope to do just 50 years ago.
In the April issue of BioScience (1), a group of scientists wrote "Despite the importance of detailed natural history information to many sectors of society, exposure and training in traditional forms of natural history have not kept pace with growth in the natural sciences over the past 50 years." Their paper details the decline of focus on natural history and natural history projects within the scientific community.
Yet, they say, natural history, "the fundamental properties of organisms- what they are, how and where they live, and the biotic and abiotic interactions that link them to communities and ecosystems," remains important and has an important role to play in modern science.
On the one hand, popular citizen science initiatives like the Great Christmas Bird Count and Cornell University's eBird website have increased the amount of observational data available to researchers by enrolling huge numbers of ordinary people as observers. On the other hand, natural history lacks visible role models to inspire new generations to take up the practice, say the authors.
This blog is really an exercise in natural history focusing very tightly on the five and a quarter acres of land in southern New Hampshire on which I live. The species entries provide overview level observations and comments combined with researched data about the animals that live on this particular piece of the Earth.
It's not ground-breaking science in the popular sense (although I do occasional break into the ground to look for some of the creatures that reside there), but it does increase my knowledge and understanding of the world in which I live and the animals with whom I share it. Hopefully, it accomplishes some measure of that same purpose for faithful readers of this blog as well.
Going forward, I thought it might be interesting to take a more detailed look at one or more of the species that lives in my yard. Finding out where it lives, how it interacts with other animals, how it behaves, how it adapts to the seasons or extremes of weather, and essentially everything we can learn by just watching it in its natural environment.
To do this successfully, it will be important to pick a species that spends all or the great majority of its time in or around my property. It need not be a single individual that is constantly followed and observed, but could be multiple individuals, some of which live on the property and others which may be passing through.
Ideally, it would be something that isn't going to be so bothered by my presence that it's behaviors are substantially altered whenever I am present, and it would be something that I can reliably locate on a regular basis.
A number of birds might fit the bill, as might any number of insects. There a few mammals: squirrels, chipmunks, wild mice, perhaps even porcupines. Suitable reptiles and amphibians might include any of the several species of salamanders, snakes, frogs and toads that live on my property.
I'll have to give it some thought and pick one. Once I do, all the detailed observations, including photos and video clips will be presented at this link. I'll use every tool at my disposal- remote cameras, night vision video, tracking, and especially patience- to find out everything I can about this one particular species. If it works out, perhaps I'll add natural history pages for other species that live in my yard as well.
I encourage you to spend time in quiet observation of the natural world as well. Aside from the knowledge gained in the study itself, I find watching nature to be akin to quiet meditation that relaxes and renews one's spirit. After all, if one can find time to sit and observe the behavior of Sheldon Cooper, Tyrion Lannister, or other fictional television characters, surely one can find time to just sit and watch what is really happening around them in the great outdoors.
---
1) Joshua j. Tewksbury, John G. T. Anderson, Jonathan D. Bakker, Timothy J. Billo, Peter W. Dunwiddie, Martha J. Groom, Stephanie E. Hampton, Steven G. Herman, Douglas J. Levey, Noelle J. Machnicki, Carlos MartÃnez del Rio, Mary E. Power, Kirsten Rowell, Anne K. Salomon, Liam Stacey, Stephen C. Trombulak, and Terry A. Wheeler
Natural History's Place in Science and Society
BioScience 2014 : biu032v1-biu032.
Today, we may modern tools to help us observe animals in their natural habitats. We have trail cameras, for example, that not only take still photos, but also record video clips of animals in the wild. GPS monitors can follow the extended flight paths of birds in a way that no clever naturalist could ever hope to do just 50 years ago.
In the April issue of BioScience (1), a group of scientists wrote "Despite the importance of detailed natural history information to many sectors of society, exposure and training in traditional forms of natural history have not kept pace with growth in the natural sciences over the past 50 years." Their paper details the decline of focus on natural history and natural history projects within the scientific community.
Yet, they say, natural history, "the fundamental properties of organisms- what they are, how and where they live, and the biotic and abiotic interactions that link them to communities and ecosystems," remains important and has an important role to play in modern science.
On the one hand, popular citizen science initiatives like the Great Christmas Bird Count and Cornell University's eBird website have increased the amount of observational data available to researchers by enrolling huge numbers of ordinary people as observers. On the other hand, natural history lacks visible role models to inspire new generations to take up the practice, say the authors.
This blog is really an exercise in natural history focusing very tightly on the five and a quarter acres of land in southern New Hampshire on which I live. The species entries provide overview level observations and comments combined with researched data about the animals that live on this particular piece of the Earth.
It's not ground-breaking science in the popular sense (although I do occasional break into the ground to look for some of the creatures that reside there), but it does increase my knowledge and understanding of the world in which I live and the animals with whom I share it. Hopefully, it accomplishes some measure of that same purpose for faithful readers of this blog as well.
Going forward, I thought it might be interesting to take a more detailed look at one or more of the species that lives in my yard. Finding out where it lives, how it interacts with other animals, how it behaves, how it adapts to the seasons or extremes of weather, and essentially everything we can learn by just watching it in its natural environment.
To do this successfully, it will be important to pick a species that spends all or the great majority of its time in or around my property. It need not be a single individual that is constantly followed and observed, but could be multiple individuals, some of which live on the property and others which may be passing through.
Ideally, it would be something that isn't going to be so bothered by my presence that it's behaviors are substantially altered whenever I am present, and it would be something that I can reliably locate on a regular basis.
A number of birds might fit the bill, as might any number of insects. There a few mammals: squirrels, chipmunks, wild mice, perhaps even porcupines. Suitable reptiles and amphibians might include any of the several species of salamanders, snakes, frogs and toads that live on my property.
I'll have to give it some thought and pick one. Once I do, all the detailed observations, including photos and video clips will be presented at this link. I'll use every tool at my disposal- remote cameras, night vision video, tracking, and especially patience- to find out everything I can about this one particular species. If it works out, perhaps I'll add natural history pages for other species that live in my yard as well.
I encourage you to spend time in quiet observation of the natural world as well. Aside from the knowledge gained in the study itself, I find watching nature to be akin to quiet meditation that relaxes and renews one's spirit. After all, if one can find time to sit and observe the behavior of Sheldon Cooper, Tyrion Lannister, or other fictional television characters, surely one can find time to just sit and watch what is really happening around them in the great outdoors.
---
1) Joshua j. Tewksbury, John G. T. Anderson, Jonathan D. Bakker, Timothy J. Billo, Peter W. Dunwiddie, Martha J. Groom, Stephanie E. Hampton, Steven G. Herman, Douglas J. Levey, Noelle J. Machnicki, Carlos MartÃnez del Rio, Mary E. Power, Kirsten Rowell, Anne K. Salomon, Liam Stacey, Stephen C. Trombulak, and Terry A. Wheeler
Natural History's Place in Science and Society
BioScience 2014 : biu032v1-biu032.
