April+23rd

=April 23rd: Forest Parasites, Creepies, and Crawlies... =



===This is our second-to-last (or "penultimate") day in the field and I've decided to dedicate this entry to all the various creepies, crawlies, and slimies that the Earthwatch team has encountered on our expedition.===

===It's very common for people to think that insects, spiders, slugs, and other "unattractive" creatures are not important to an ecosystem, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Insects play an extremely important role by providing an abundant source of food for creatures low on the food chain. For example, worms and spiders are eaten by mice which in turn are eaten by larger animals such as foxes, coyotes, and birds of prey. If the population of insects were to suddenly drop, the populations of animals higher up on the food chain would decrease as well. They are all bound by their symbiotic relationships and when you affect one, you affect them all.===

===What does all this have to do with climate change? The answer is simple. When the climate changes, the creatures lowest on the chain are affected the most. So, in a way, insects and other "creepy crawlies" are very important for studying the effects of climate change on the fuzzy, cute creatures of the forest!===

So, without further ado, I give you the Creepy Crawlies of Nova Scotia!
media type="youtube" key="eX4oSlzibkM" height="344" width="425"

3) Can you identify the different bugs and crawlies that Mr. Wignall showed in his movie? Are they indigenous to Minnesota?
=__ANSWERS TO STUDENT QUESTIONS FOR OTHER TEAM MEMBERS __=

Mr. Wolfe answers Corinne's question media type="youtube" key="6FZJfkl7Q20" height="344" width="425"

=__STUDENT QUESTION SECTION __= "whats your favorite creepy crawly? When you got ticks did you freak out?" (Corinne)

"Can voles see?" (Emily)

"Any idea why a lot of your friends are from California?" (Jenna)

"Could I have the notes to the moose song?" (Wyatt)

"Who came up with the words to the moose song?"