July 2011

DGE In-House Seminars

July 5: Ted Raab described his work with a group studying peat soils in Arctic tundra in Alaska, especially the formation of methane (CH4) the levels of which have been rising. With newer electronic tools, researchers have been able to measure the composition of the tundra to several feet and determine the presence of minerals such as iron and its oxidation level. This info can predict the relative abundance of animal life that can be supported.
Ben Kravitz spoke to the title Stratospheric Geoengineering with Black Carbon Aerosols. By using data obtained during and following the ash released by volcanic eruptions, one may model and therefore mimic the effects of releasing Black Carbon into the upper atmosphere through geoengineering. For the most part, the effects of such attempts to change the climate would be deleterious to farmers and productivity.
July 18: Kyla Dahlin - Plant species mapping using integrated airborne lidar and hyperspectral imagery across multiple functional groups.
Rebecca Hernandez - Mycorrhizal fungi dynamics: integrating sensors and imagery.

July 22: Chris Field wrote "Heidi Cullen and I are guests for the hour on the NPR show "On Point with Tom Ashbrook." The show was live at 8 AM PDT and could be heard at http://onpoint.wbur.org/2011/07/22/high-heat#. However, if you go to that Web Site and click on the show titled: Is High Heat The New Normal? you should be able to hear it at a later date. Chris did a fine job of explaining the relationships between weather and climate as well as answering a number of call-in questions.

July 24: Dahlia Wist sent a picture during the final deep relaxation pose at the end of her Yoga class and wrote "As long as the weather is good, I will continue to have a weekly class for the next few months at the South lawn by the seminar room." If you're interested in joining the class, give Dahlia a call after August 1.