Friday, January 8, 2010

PostHeaderIcon Palmillas

7:37 AM | Posted by NRES 285/ 499, Fall 2010, UIUC | Edit Post

Haiku: Palmillas

Palmillas
Immeasurable monocots
Cow-bitten, Palmero-Scarred
Nature meets culture irrational
Gratefully Illinoid
Aculeatas

Group Interviews:

Grupo Flojo (Christa, Julie, Crystal, Zack, and Felix
Self Assessment: A+

This group obviously surpassed the other groups in efficiency, accuracy, and overall congeniality. The group covered two very difficult plots with the expertise of a highly-seasoned sampling team, overcoming adversity without flinching. Notably, the group had one injury: Julie slid down a steep slope, pruning cactus plants along the way down.





Grupo Most Aesthetically Pleasing (Jeff, Corrin, Joe, and Bryan)
Self Assessment: B+

The group covered two plots. Significant injuries included Jeff's contact with a large (8 inch) Hecho cactus. Joe, "the man," awed the group with his 50 meter sprint up steep slopes. Jeff expressed that Bryan's superior education gave the group a serious advantage. Corrin didn't do much, but did win the award for finding the smallest palm. Corrin, not meaning it in a bad way, felt that the group didn't "mess around" like the other groups.



Grupo Bandidos De Amor (Arun, Lenna, Kaitlynn, Leonel, Alejandro)
Self Assessment: B+

The group described themselves as the happiest group and felt they divided the work evenly and perfected their technique (the all on single transect team approach). Leonel made sure that the lives of the women were not endangered, but seemed willing to risk Arun's life without hesitation. The group was confident enough in their efficiency to spend 40 minutes in rock skipping group therapy. They found a recent Puma kill and also saw a very large cow. Kaitlynn said she was frightened by the cow's inappropriate advances.



Grupo Los Bosillos (Nick, Tony, Stephanie, Nate)
Self Assessment: A-/B+

The group felt the effort was there, but they could be more efficient. They explained that they were inefficient, only finished one plot, because of several factors: 1) Tony takes too much time finding equipment hidden in many, many pockets (hence the name of the group: Bosillos); 2) they have no research leader to guide them; and 3) they often find themselves tangled up in the red light district with hook bushes. Their motto seems to be "Accuracy just takes longer."--Zack M.


photos from Corrin B., Lenna O., and Stephanie L.
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About the Class

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Alamos, Sonora, Mexico
This course combines pre-trip classroom instruction with field study in the Sierra de Alamos in Southeastern Sonora, Mexico. Its purpose is to introduce both undergraduate and graduate students to biodiversity and conservation of a diverse and significantly threatened ecosystem.

Readings

  • Alvarez-Yepiz, J. C., A. Martinez-Yrizar, et al. (2008). "Variation in vegetation structure and soil properties related to land use history of old-growth and secondary tropical dry forests in northwestern Mexico." Forest Ecology and Management 256(3): 355-366.
  • Anten, N. P. R., M. Martinez-Ramos, et al. (2003). "Defoliation and growth in an understory palm: Quantifying the contributions of compensatory responses." Ecology 84(11): 2905-2918.
  • Dacosta, J. M. and J. Klicka (2008). "The Great American Interchange in birds: a phylogenetic perspective with the genus Trogon." Molecular Ecology 17(5): 1328-1343.
  • Endress, B. A., D. L. Gorchov, et al. (2004). "Harvest of the palm Chamaedorea radicalis, its effects on leaf production, and implications for sustainable management." Conservation Biology 18(3): 822-830.
  • Endress, B. A., D. L. Gorchov, et al. (2004). "Non-timber forest product extraction: Effects of harvest and browsing on an understory palm." Ecological Applications 14(4): 1139-1153.
  • Felger, R. S. and E. Joyal (1999). "The palms (Areacaceae) of Sonora, Mexico." Aliso 18(1): 1-18.
  • Joyal, E. (1996). "The palm has its time: An ethnoecology of Sabal uresana in Sonora, Mexico." Economic Botany 50(4): 446-462.
  • Joyal, E. (1996). "The use of Sabal uresana (Arecaceae) and other palms in Sonora, Mexico." Economic Botany 50(4): 429-445.
  • O' Brien, C., A. D. Flesch, et al. (2006). Biological inventory of the Rio Aros, Sonora, Mexico: A river unknown. C. O'Brien. Tucson, University of Arizona.
  • Rendon-Carmona, H., A. Martinez-Yrizar, et al. (2009). "Selective cutting of woody species in a Mexican tropical dry forest: Incompatibility between use and conservation." Forest Ecology and Management 257(2): 567-579.
  • Ticktin, T. (2004). "The ecological implications of harvesting non-timber forest products." Journal of Applied Ecology 41(1): 11-21.
  • Vasquez-Leon, M. and D. Liverman (2004). "The political ecology of land-use change: Affluent ranchers and destitute farmers in the Mexican municipio of Alamos." Human Organization 63(1): 21-33.

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