Farewell Messages!

BYE GUYS!!!! SEE YOU IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Calculating diversity

Abundance: The actual number of organisms of a species per unit of area or volume (Density).

Relative Abundance: The proportion or percentage of all organisms in a community or sample that are a particular species (Species Eveness).

Sampling effort: With a “small” sample rare species are not likely to be included. With a larger sample, rare species are more likely to be included.

Species Diversity: Two factors define species diversity. Species Richness, which is the number of species in community and Species Evenness, which is the Relative Abundance of the species.

Diversity: A community dominated by one or two species is considered to be less diverse than one in which several different species have a similar abundance. As species richness and evenness increase, so diversity increases.

Simpson's Diversity Index: The Simpson's Index (D) is a measure of diversity which takes into account both richness and evenness. Simpson's Index (D) measures the probability that two individuals randomly selected from a sample will belong to the different species (or some category other than species). The formula for calculating D is

D = 1- [Sum(n / N)²]

n = the total number of organisms of a particular species

N = the total number of organisms of all species

The value of D ranges between 1 and 0. With this index, 1 represents infinite diversity and 0, no diversity. That is, the bigger the value of D, the greater the diversity.

Wow, it's the last day...
I learned so much in the past three weeks, from the meaning to biodiveristy, to how to use this spreadsheet to analyze stuff, I feel utterly overwhelmed. I LEARNED SO MUCH!!! I laughed so much, heard so much, saw so much, I am a totally different person that I was before this Team!!!
Eric C.

A Great Learning Experience

I am sad to see you all leave :( but I must admit, I did learn a lot from the last 3 weeks. I learned how to use different Google programs such as Google+ and Google Docs. I also learned about Urban Biodiversity and now I truly understand Biodiversity. I am glad I was able to experience this new subject and I will miss you all!

~Student 08

This whole time of being in the Urban Biodiversity Network at AMNH I have learned about averages and standard deviation. I have also learned how to use the technology such as blogger and gmail. I have learned about making a spreadsheet and calculating how diverse plants are in a certain plot. Overall I have learned a lot that I didn't know before.

Its almost over!!!!!

as this last day of lang end i see how much i have learned about biodiversity. i think its important subject in this current day age. so thanks Mike an Ariam i had grate three weeks with ubn.

this was fun

This research team has been a lot of fun so far. I learned how complex biodiversity is. I had no idea that it was so cool. I am looking forward to continuing in the fall.
Liam K.

LAST DAY OF LANG!!! :(

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IT"S THE LAST DAY OF THE LANG SUMMER SESSION!!! It's been fun, but it's time to kick back and relax for the rest of the summer. I've learned so many things throughout this class. I learned how to use an excel spreadsheet and got to use an Android phone. :) Until next time.

-Ernest B :)

last day post

over the last few weeks, i have learned about bio diversity, graphs, and other things. mainly i learned about how urban biodiversity can effect the enviroment, and the way people live.

-ann h

What I learned

I learned so many new things about excel. At first biodiversity seemed boring but now it's a great topic. This class was great. I learned about different terms that connect to biodiversity. I also learned that biodiversity can use many types of technology. The phones were not great but it was cool to use them.

Last day!

Wow, its already the last day of lang. that went so fast. Anyone else think so?
Liam K.

Today at UBN, we tried looking over our photo and video documentation of the plants and animals we saw outside, with an intention of identifying them. What I determined is that the three trees I documented in my observation are:

1. The London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia)

2. The ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba)

3. The oak tree (Quercus)

white impataint

here is a picture of a white impatient that was in my plot scientific name is impatiens walleriana

Chapel hill yellow

This is Lantana also known as the Chapel hill yellow

Agapanthus praecox

This is the Agapanthus praecox (scientific name) also known as Black Panther.

Urban Biodiversity Network at AMNH

Giant Lilyturf; Lirope gigantea












and a Black Locust Tree; Robinia pseudoacacia.


















an Oak Tree; Quercus alba,


















I have identified four plants so far.
There is bamboo;

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Bambusoideae

The Giant Lillyturf is in both plots.
Liam K.

Platanus acerifolia

The London Planetree or Platanus acerifoliais one of the most common trees in New York. It is used as alone sidewalks and makes a great archway affect. The tree has a "peely" bark, you probably peeled before (don't its not good for the tree).

My Leaves... (I really hope that these are correct!)

1. Climbing Hydrangea... Hydrangeaceae decumaria

2. Pine Needle... Pinus sylvestris

-Ernest B. :)

leriope gigantica

Here is a type of plant that I found in a plot near amnh called leriope gigantica, it is a shrub that is found in new york.

Giant Lilyturf

Liriope gigantea

Lilyturf is the workhorse of warmer shade gardens. Its strap-leaf foliage never grows beyond its designated size, which is perfect for city gardens or condominium communities. Thrives in courtyards and atriums, where soils remain perpetually moist. Uniform size makes it ideal for edging plants. Remarkably beautiful in dry streambeds or beside water gardens and fountains. Fits well into Asian-inspired schemes and as a texture contrast in Fern dells. Begs to be planted where its attractive flowers can be viewed up close.

Abbotswood Potentilla

Potentilla fruticosa

The genus Potentilla, commonly known as cinquefoil (five-leaflets) is classified in the rose family with flowers that resemble those of a 5 petal wild rose. It includes over 500 different species of shrubs and herbaceous plants. The genus was classified by Linnaeus in the 18th century, the name derived from the Latin potens, which means powerful, as the European species were considered potent medicinal plants. This species is native to much of Canada, New England and cold mountains from coast to coast. This species and its cultivars encompasses most of the cultivated plants in the genus. There was an effort to reclassify the plant in its own genus Daisphora fruticosa by Per Axel Rydberg, 1860-1931 of the New York Botanical Garden.

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1802/giant-lilyturf.php
http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1999/abbotswood-potentilla.php

My Species

Hey guys!

I found a species:

Mentha spicata

picture:

It's common name is Spearmint.

I have another plant, and this one is commonly called a hydrangea.

scientific name, Hydrangea macrophylla.

Eric C.

In my first plot

I have identified four plants so far.
There is bamboo;

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Bambusoideae

Giant Lilyturf; Lirope gigantea
an Oak Tree; Quercus alba,
and a Black Locust Tree; Robinia pseudoacacia. The Giant Lillyturf is in both plots.
Liam K.

Plant Identity

My partner Hollis and I discovered one of the unknown plants inside of our plot. The name of the first plant is Giant Lilyturf (Liriope gigantea) and looks exactly like one of the plants inside of our plot. It is very similar to grass but has a white streak in the middle of the leaves. Another plant we discovered that was unknown to us was the Abbotswood Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa) which is a white flower plant located in our plot.

Plant Identification Resource Guide

1. The PLANTS Database

The PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories.

Go here: http://plants.usda.gov/gallery.html

2. The New York Flora Atlas

The New York Flora Atlas is a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state, as well as information on plant habitats, associated ecological communities, and taxonomy. In addition, users can learn about the location of vouchered specimens and see images to get a better visual for each plant. The next step is to create a Manual to the New York State Flora. Early efforts are underway to move towards this goal.

Go here: http://www.newyork.plantatlas.usf.edu/

3. Leafsnap: An Electronic Field Guide

Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from photographs of their leaves. Leafsnap contains beautiful high-resolution images of leaves, flowers, fruit, petiole, seeds, and bark. Leafsnap currently includes the trees of New York City and Washington, D.C., and will soon grow to include the trees of the entire continental United States. This website shows the tree species included in Leafsnap, the collections of its users, and the team of research volunteers working to produce it.

Go here: http://leafsnap.com/

4. LEAF Tree Key - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

This interactive on-line dichotomous tree key will help you identify some of the coniferous and deciduous trees native to Wisconsin.

Go Here: www.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf/Treekey/tkframe.htm

5. What Tree Is It?

You see an unknown tree. Or perhaps have found part of a tree, and you want to know from what kind of tree it came. Often, you can identify an unknown tree by just one part, such as a leaf or a fruit. This web site will lead you through qualities of leaves and fruits from the common trees of Ohio. You will work your way through these choices by selecting images that more closely resemble your sample. To be certain of your identification of an unknown tree, however, you must use as much of the tree as possible. Trees are made up of many parts. They have woody trunks and branches that are covered with bark. They have leaves, and they produce fruit. Remember that a tree is a complex organism. You should get to know the whole tree, and until you learn more about trees, you probably won’t be able to identify a particular tree with just a single part. You may have to make several trips to the tree, looking at it both closely and from a distance.

Go Here: http://www.oplin.org/tree/

6. VTree ID (Virginia Tech)

Dichotomous Keys: Figure out your unknown by clicking on the button that best describes it. A table will list the possible matches, with links to our tree fact sheets. If a picture exactly matches your leaf, clicking on the picture will take you directly to a fact sheet for that species.

Multichotomous Key: Think of this as a process of elimination, narrowing the possibilities with each selection. If you select "I don't know" for every decision, you will view all the species in the database. Only make selections that you are sure about - or you might accidently eliminate the answer!

Go Here: http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/idit.htm

7. Urban Silviculture Project

Biodiversity and the Urban Forest: An urban forest includes trees in parks, forests, and gardens and along streets within an urban area. Biodiversity is the variety of living things on Earth. It includes ecosystem diversity (some examples of ecosystems are temperate forest, grassland, wetland, desert), species diversity within ecosystems, and genetic diversity within species. Having a variety of trees in an urban forest encourages biodiversity, which leads to healthier, balanced ecosystems. In a balanced ecosystem, a single insect or disease is less likely to cause wide-spread damage.

Go Here: http://bit.ly/pocOph

8. Urban Disturbed Sites Species List

The following species are suitable for reforestation and restoration on disturbed urban sites. These plants can thrive in areas with low nutrient levels, low permeability, a minimal amount of organic matter and high salinity levels resulting from urban fill and runoff. The species-specific lists reflect open and forested areas.

Go here: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/gnpc/pdf/urban_disturbed_sites_species_list.pdf

What does the UN say about Urban Biodiversity?

Urban Biodiversity

Although cities occupy just 2 percent of the Earth's surface, their inhabitants use 75% of the planet's natural resources. Cities draw on their surrounding ecosystems for goods and services, and their products and emissions can affect regional and even global ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems and biological diversity are vital for cities to function properly. Ecosystems provide three main kinds of services to the city: provisioning of food, fibre and fuels; regulating through purification, detoxification and mitigation of droughts and floods; and enriching the spiritual, aesthetic and social life of urban dwellers. Biodiversity - the diversity among living organisms - plays an essential role in ensuring the survival of life on earth. Clean water, foodstuffs, medicines and quality of life are just a few of the services which biodiversity offers to cities. Recognizing the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems for their survival, cities today undertake many initiatives to utilize and conserve their surroundings efficiently. These actions can reach far beyond the boundaries of the city, affecting biodiversity on a global scale.

http://www.unep.org/urban_environment/issues/biodiversity.asp

this week I learned about variance, accuracy, precision, standard deviation, and astronauts!! today was fun, we learned a lot, we met the astronauts that went in space in the last shuttle yesterday. We made an averages graph thing to keep track of mean median and mode. yesterday we saw tornado alley, an awsome imax movie that you should see weather you like stormchasers or not!

Today's UBN session was full of knowledge. I learned about mean, mode, median, science, and biodiversity. We used examples to learn how to calculate mean, median and mode, as well as about variance, bell curves. The most confusing part was the names of the dogs, which I have no idea about. we did it all on google docs.

guess what trees dont do much!!!!!!!!

i have finished my first transect today and yeah i have like a thousand hour of video of trees. i did see some different types of predication on the leafs and some different types of trees.

I learned a lot from today's session in UBN. I feel like I am completely filled with knowledge. I learned more than I could possibly know about finding the mean, median and mode even though I learned about them before but it was still nice to have a review. I also learned about using google docs and a computer to find the mean median and mode of a number set. I also learned the commands to allow me to do these steps easily.



~Student 08

You can do things with Excel!

Today we finished collecting data from the plots and learned about bell curves, variance, and standard deviation. It was very interesting. We also learned hot to make Excel do math for you by using formulas. This was very interesting also and was similar to computer programing. I had had no idea that you could do that with Excel. We are also having research groups for most of the day for the rest of the week, and now we stay until 4:00.
Liam K.

Averages and observing plots.

Today was the first day of the third week that we did research groups. We learned how to find the standard deviation and the Variance. We also learned about examples of averages as well as making a spreadsheet. This morning we went out and observed our plots. Today there were two pigeons eating from the bushes. This was interesting because I did not know that pigeons ate berries I thought they only ate seeds. Overall today was a productive and interesting day.

8/17/11 in UBN... :)

Hey Guys!

Today in UBN, we learned how to do many things. I learned how to use a spreadsheet for the first time!!! I was so excited. Before we did the spreadsheets, we went outside and collected data for our research. We also had to complete forums for our data collection. The forums helped us keep our studies organized. It was a very fun day.

-Ernest B :)

Today in UBN, we learned about statistics in preparation for the time when we will eventually look at the data we have been gathering in the field, and organize it in order to find trends. Specifically, we talked about measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode), accuracy and precision, and standard deviation and variance. Instead of doing the math on paper, we did it using a spreadsheet, which forced us to learn codes to automate the arithmetic. Although I already knew how to calculate mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and variance, I found this to be quite helpful, because I have always been a bit lost in Excel.

Standard Variation

Standard deviation was very confusing at first. It takes a long time, there are many formulas, and so many numbers. As the class went through the process of doing this, it got easier. We learned about mean, median, mode,accuracy, precision, and variance. Now that the days are longer we can have more time to do what we need to do which is good. But now that we are here longer I get so much colder! It's very unpleasant.

Biodiversity After A Nuclear Meltdown! (Note: This Stuff Is Purely Fictional...)

here are some more pictures of biodiversity, habiatats, rainforests

how to put a youtube video on bloger

1) first your going to find the video you want on youtube

2) click "share" at the bottom of the video

3) click embed on the bottom of the drop down box

4) copy the Html that it gives you

5) go to blogger and hit new post

6) click "Edit Html" paste the code right were your curser is

7) go back to "compose" and put whatever text you want into the post

8) click publish post and your done!!!!

This setting seems like an unlikely location for biodiversity. Biodiversity exists not only in rainforests and coral reefs but also in urban parks and even on the street. How many different species of plants and animals can you spot while walking on the sidewalk?

Marine habitats, and especially coral reefs, are also rife with biodiversity. Even in this picture you can see several different types of fish, plants, and coral. Beyond the surface is even more life waiting to be discovered.

Here is a picture of a clownfish that I found.

This is a picture of the tropical rainforest El Yunque in Puerto Rico. Rainforests are just one of the many types of habitats where biodiversity flourishes. Although when looking at photos of rainforests, it may seem like it's just a lot of green, in that green is hidden thousands of different species of plants, animals, and microbes.

Here is a picture that i found when i looked up biodiversity, it is a food chain,and i hope no one else posts it.

Here are some pictures i found that I think represent biodiversity.

Liam K.

BIODIVERSITY!!!!!!!!!! :)

Biodiversity Loss

Healthy Forest (left) compared to Deforestation (right)

Biodiversity....kind of...

-Ernest B :)

BIODIVERSITY pics

That's biodiversity!

biodiversity pics

what is bio diversity?

Pictures of Biodiversity

My bitly...

Hi Everybody!

My topic is tree biodiversity. My bitly is http://bit.ly/ov4CFO.

Mendez, V. Ernesto, Stephen R. Gliessman, and Gregory S. Gilbert. "Tree Biodiversity in Farmer Cooperatives of a Shade Coffee Landscape in Western El Salvador."Www.uvm.edu. UVM, 2007. Web. 8 Aug. 2011.

Abstract

Conservation of tropical biodiversity in agricultural landscapes has become more important as the area covered by natural ecosystems decreases. We analyzed the effects of local livelihoods, cooperative types, and selected biophysical variables (elevation, slope, percent shade, distance to the forest, coffee density, and coffee age) on tree biodiversity in shade coffee cooperatives of El Salvador.

Tree inventories from 51 quadrats in coffee cooperatives included 2743 individuals from 46 families and 123 identified tree species. Species richness and tree diameters differed among some cooperatives, with greater richness associated with greater stem density; other biophysical variables had little impact on diversity. The amount of shade in the coffee plantations differed among cooperatives, particularly in the wet season. Of the tree species reported in a recent study of a neighboring forest and in the cooperatives (N = 227 species combined), 16% were present at both sites. The three coffee plantations shared 35% of total species reported from all cooperatives.

Our research shows that the number of tree species found in a coffee plantation increases with the density of shade trees included in the system. In turn, agroecological management, as influenced by farmer livelihood strategies and cooperative types, directly affects shade canopy composition. Important factors to take into account are the types of farmer organizations present, the cost of maintaining species of conservation concern, and the potential benefits that conservation could bring to the livelihood strategies of farm households.

# 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

-Ernest B. :)

http://bit.ly/rcVHLj

Above is my shortened link to the explanation of Environmental Issues: Biodiversity and Conservation. It explains how the changes of the environment can affect many species and plants living in the area and on the planet. With the link provided, you can learn about the environmental issues that affect biodiversity, and about conservation efforts that could maintain biodiversity around the world.

Ask.com, Ask.com. "Environmental Issues - Biodiversity and Conservation." Environmental Issues - News and Information about the Environment. Ask.com. Web. 08 Aug. 2011. .

Hey guys

Here's my bitly http://bit.ly/pWE7ht

the question was :what was the dominant species of New York before humans?

Human Domination of Earth's Ecosystems

1. Peter M. Vitousek,
2. Harold A. Mooney,
3. Jane Lubchenco and
4. Jerry M. Melilloc

Excerpt:

Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction. By these and other standards, it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet.

Vitousek, Peter M., Harold A. Mooney, Jane Lubchenco, and Jerry M. Milleno. "Human Domination of Earth's Ecosystems." Web.

I still feel cold, but it seems a lot warmer than before.

Anybody agree?

Eric C.