restricitive language and limitless nature

During my walking tour through Audubon Park, I tried to see the park from an English perspective (my major) and Biology, something very far away from my field of study. Without having a clear idea from the very beginning, I started walking. And soon, language, or the use of language attracted my attention. I found out that language is used in a very restrictive way, language limits and orders my relation to nature in this park. There is the "NO FISHING" sign in the lagune; "LEASH LAW enforced" next to the pavement and "$500 FINE for destroying or damaging the park"; and "GOLFERS ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT."

Language serves as a means of control, control over human behavior in relation to nature (and in relation to other humans). And as a means of separation. Though this is very limiting, I can understand it, especially when I reconsider man's often ruthless behavior toward nature. And here, it is even a special case because I am talking about nature created and mantained by humans.
Furthermore, language does not only control human's behavior by prohibiting certain actions, it also says what we should/could do: "MEDITATION AREA" and "MEDITATION WALK." I was wondering if we really need these signs and 'hints', if we are not able to figure this out by ourselves.

My second perspective, the biological one, focused on the different trees in Audubon Park. I had this idea before I even started the walk because of the list of trees and animals in this park. Reading this list, I realized that I did not have a clue how some of them look like and I had to look them up in a book/the internet. In the park, I collected different leaves and made some sketches this morning (Wednesday was just too cold to sit down for a longer time). Because of the season, a couple of trees are without leaves but I could still find dried ones. This also made me aware of the concurrency of life and decay in nature: one tree is still bare but the grass is already green, clover is everywhere and I even found first daffodils. This is fascinating, and still captivates me, especially as it is still 'real' winter in Germany.

After the walk I tried to identify the leaves but it was not as easy as I thought. There is so much more to observe, the constellation of leaves, the structure of the bark etc. because some leaves really look alive. So my approach to this was a bit naive but it made again clear how complex nature is.

Though I first thought that I cannot combine these two perspectives, I'm now thinking I can; I can do so by opposing them. Language is restrictive (though only in this particular case, I cannot generalize this and do not want to do so. Literature can be breathtaking and gorgeous) whereas nature is limitless. And this makes me think of my/our role on Earth. We are "only" humans, we live for some decades. But Nature is something incomparable, everlasting (if we do not destroy it)...and admirable.

A last thought: I am again and again surprised how different I experience nature/certain spaces when I try to focus on something. Last semester, I did another walking tour, focussing on the Romantic mind - and the experience was totally different from the current walking tour. I saw and considered completely different things. And this shows me that I can see new things/sides/arguments if I am only able to change my perspective, if I do not get stuck in an all too familiar and restricted world of thoughts. I dare to say (but very cautious) that I get a first feeling of what it means to deal with Environmental Studies.

Walk in the Park.

I spent my time in the park looking at my surroundings through the lens of my major (environmental studies) and one totally outside my area of expertise, art. From both perspectives, relative observations were abounding.
While in the park I started thinking about the environmental irony of the park's existence at all. It is an area of land in an urban area, preserved to give us the opportunity to experience nature without ever leaving the city. I myself have taken advantage of this many times, and have thoroughly enjoyed it, but now I recognize the paradox. We have taken wild land, cleared it, brought in non native species that require high powered and environmentally dangerous chemicals to survive in our climate, all to create an illusion of nature preservation that we still seem unable to resist dumping our trash on. Although I think a paradoxical park is better than no park at all, I think it's time that we think more closely about the kind of environment we are creating and giving to people as a shining example of the environment as it should be. Perhaps it's time we start seeing parks as educational as well as recreational tools and take the opportunity to give people a small reminder of what used to stand on this land before we did.
(I also drew an insignificant picture of a beautiful live oak tree and glued spanish moss to it, artsy right?)

Audubon Park Observations

As a biology major, naturally I recorded my observations of the various fauna and flora found in Audubon Park. I noted the range of plant species from the cypress tree, live oak, magnolia, and spanish moss. The array of animal species, especially birds, was even more diverse. The lagoons of Audubon Park were filled with native mallards, wood ducks, coots, white egrets, and cormorants, as well as an overwhelming amount of the non-native whistling ducks originating from South America. In addition to identifying these different species, I made preliminary recordings of their behavior. I observed male dominance behavior when mallard drakes (males) chased away less dominant males, followed by courting behavior where the male would incessantly follow the female. I also observed the feeding and preening behavior of a paired couple of mallards.

I was able to record all of this information, but by focusing solely on the biological aspect of Audubon Park, I forgot to acknowledge an extremely important component—people. We cannot forget that we, the people, are solely responsible for the mere existence of Audubon Park. Of course we pose many direct threats to nature and its inhabitants, but without our influence, this very park would be but a mere thought in our minds. After I came to this realization, seeing through more of a sociological perspective, I was able to focus on the activities of the patrons of Audubon Park. I noticed a group of people horseback riding through the park, a man painting a canvas of the lagoon area, and a multitude of runners and bikers using the track that surrounds Audubon. Also, I could not overlook the golf course used by many locals, as well as tourists, that is centered within the park.

Again, I was able to record a fair amount of information by focusing on the sociology aspect of the park, but it was not until I brought the ideas from both disciplines together that I could see the entire picture. Audubon Park is a perfect example of everything, animals, plants, and even humans, living in harmony with one another. It serves as an Eden where humans can enjoy themselves through entertainment and other activities, while it provides a diverse array of organisms a safe haven. The animals within Audubon Park are not frightened by the presence of humans, and neither do the people seem to mind the animals. Instead, the very presence of wildlife and the sense of wilderness is what draws us to Audubon Park and what makes it such a majestic place. If only we as a nation, and hopefully the world, can use this as a simple analogy for how we should and could live in harmony with everything, everywhere.

Mountain Gorillas

I was thinking about doing my paper on the endangered mountain gorilla (ranging from traits, abilities, and what their extinctin will be mean).

Sleemen, Jonathan. "Analysis of Urine from Free-Ranging Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla
Beringeil for Normal Physiological Values." Journal of Wildlife Medicine, Dec. 1998.
Vol. 29, No. 4.
Watts, David. "Agonistic Relationships betwen Female Mountain Gorillas." Behavioral Ecology
and Sociobiology, 1994. Vol. 34.

Caribbean Monk Seal

I am considering doing my final project on the extinction of the Caribbean Monk Seal and how this species has been the firt documented case of animal extinction due to human activity.

Baker , Kyle. "Caribbean Monk Seal: Gone but not Forgotten". Endangered Species Bulletin Summer 2009 Volume 34 issue 2: 22-23.

This article goes into detail about the surplus population the species once had and how it has become instinct due to human activity. The article also discusses the actions that have caused the animals extinction.

Blackman, Stuart. "Deep Secrets Revealed". BBC Wildlife May 1999 Volume 17 issue 5: 34.

This article discusses the possible sighting of Caribbean Monk Seals in the West Indies. The sightings have been made by fishermen and shellfish divers.

Languages that are almost extinct

I am still deciding of what exactly my topic is, but I have been looking into languages that are almost extinct. There are many factors in which a language can become extinct and civilization plays a vital role in this effect.
Wilford, John. “Worlds Languages dying off rapidly.” The New York Times. Web. 18 Sept 2007.
This article looks into how many languages have been dying off rapidly because of relocation of many people. It also notes that most countries aren’t incorporating their native language in the school systems.
McWorther, John. “ Dying Languages.” The New York Sun Times. Web. 28 Dec 2006
This article looks more into how our nations are starting to recognize that languages are dying, and McWorther informs us how a language that has been dying is sometimes not even literature anymore.
“Saving dying languages in ‘the linguist’.” NPR. Web. 21 Feb 2009
This article goes notes how when the last keepers of a language die off, so does the fluent understanding of that particular environment.

Delaune, R. D., and Jugsujinda, A. "Denitrification potential in a Louisiana Wetland Recieving Diverted Mississippi River Water." Chemistry and Ecology. 19.6 (2003): 411-418.

This article diverts Mississippi water through part of the Louisiana wetlands and measures the levels of Nitrogen and other compounds in the water. They propose that this method will lower levels of Nitrogen in the Gulf of Mexico and increase oxygen levels.

Biever, Celeste. "Why Splitting the Mississippi won't Save the Wetlands." New Scientist. 191 (2006): 10-11.

This article discusses the effectiveness of splitting the Mississippi in restoring the Louisiana Wetlands. They argue that it will not help because the wetlands already have the kinds of sediment that the river provides, but is lacking the kind of sediment provided by decaying organic matter.

possibilities

I currently have no idea what my final project topic will be, but I decided for now to look into the case of the Mississippi sandhill crane, about which I already know a little and am interested in learning more.

1.
Forsberg, Michael. "Hovering on the Edge of Existence." National Wildlife 43.6 (2005) : 22- 30. Print.

This secondary article gives an overview of this species' history, tracing its decline as well as the reasons for it and responses to it. While it did offer more detail than I previously knew, it did not offer much new information.

2.
Ellis, David H. et al. "Post-Release Survival of Hand-Reared and Parent-Reared Mississippi Sandhill Cranes." Condor 102:1 (2000) : 104-112. Print.

This article described a study conducted comparing hand-reared with parent-reared cranes. This offered good data and could serve (and possibly has served) as a jumping-off point for other researchers; the hand-rearing detailed in this study was not done in costume, which may affect the outcome.

Can hybrid cars be affordable to the masses?

Jim Hobb's presentation allowed me to fully learn the capabilities that this institution has to allow me to Research. With this new knowledge, I researched hybrid cars for my final project. (Sadighi, lalee. "Fisker's Hybrid Car Fueled With $115M."Red Herring. (2012): 2-2. Print.). This Journal Article is about "Fisker's Automotive Company" that raised 115.3 million dollars. The company needed to raise that much money in order to receive a conditional loan from the U.S Department of Energy worth 528.7 million dollars. The money is going to be used in the development of two new Hybrid Cars; The "Karma", a luxury sports sedan, and the "Nina", a cheaper family car. The main point of this article is to show that hybrid cars are on the rise and that there are investors out there that see potential in this market. (Carty, sharon. "Toyota unveils smaller hybrid concept car." USA Today. (2010): Print.). This article is about how toyota just uvieled a new concept car. It is smaller than the "Prius", thus, it gets better gas milage. This is the start of toyotas expansion of their hybrids. This article shows that Toyota is targeting the middle class and even lower class families with cars that are green but cost much less "green". After reading both of these articles, I am still interested in doing this topic for my final project, but I need to somehow tie symbolism and creative writing into it. because I don t want it to be a research paper.

Thoreau and the Environment

Hemond, Harold. “Biogeochemistry of Thoreau’s Bog, Concord, Massachusetts.”

Ecological Monographs 50 (December 1980): 507-526.

This essay analyzes the way in which Thoreau’s Bog helps modern-day scientists study the biogeochemistry of Concord, Massachusetts’ wetland system. Such an analysis speaks to the connection between science and literature.

Kroeber, Karl. “Ecology and American Literature: Thoreau and Un-Thoreau.”

American Literary History 9 (Summer 1997): 309-328.

The second essay explains how some American environmental literature follows in Thoreau’s footsteps, while others depart from him. Further, it examines how nature writing and ecological thinking could challenge the current dominant modes of philosophical and literary criticism.

environmentalism and the post human world

Masci, D. (2001, May 18). Designer humans. CQ Researcher, 11, 425-440. Retrieved January 31, 2010, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2001051800.

the article Designer Humans: will altering human genes divide society? basically deals with the awe inspiring potential of changing the definition of human nature, "bettering ourselves" through direct genetic alterations, and mainly addresses the sociological concerns behind such recent developments as successfully adding genes to rhesus monkeys, among many other things, to give us an idea of the reality of this potential, its meaning and consequences.

Marshall, P. (2000, May 26). Future of computers. CQ Researcher, 10, 449-472. Retrieved January 31, 2010, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2000052600.

the article the future of computers: do U.S policies stall innovation? talks about the amazing rate of development of the sunrise industry of computers, where we stand in this field, and where we are to go. the wearable computer, molecular electronics, the exponential yearly growth of storage and processing capacity, and the first computers that will have the capacity of the human brain, then a small village, and then millions of minds.

as to how these article pertain to environmental studies; well its still not exactly what im looking for yet, but what i would like to do is reconcile the future of sustainability and conservation with the future of mankind and the changing definition of human nature, for as we are part of nature, we are also evolving in ways that traditional organic structures never dreamed of, and these two facts are for me above all else at the center of the debate of how we go about doing things and why...

Citations

Mohlenbrock, Robert H. "Bald Heads and Bare Knees." Natural History 118.9 (2009): 38-39. Environment Index. EBSCO. Web. 31 Jan. 2010.

This journal article gives a comprehensive biological description of the various species of cypress trees. I don't know what my final project will be yet but I am really interested in cypress trees and their preservation and it's always good to know the scientific background and makeup of something you're researching.

Greenspan, Jesse. "GARDENING FOR IVORY-BILLS." Audubon 107.5 (2005): 11. GreenFILE. EBSCO. Web. 31 Jan. 2010.

This article discusses the impact of cypress logging (mainly for mulching) in Louisiana and Florida. It talks about the ecosystems and species that depend on the cypress trees. In particular it focuses on the impact on the Ivory Billed Woodpecker population. Possibilities for legislation are also described and other ideas for preservation of Cypress forests.

Woodard, Colin. "Oceans in Crisis." CQ Global Researcher 1.10 (2007): 237-264. CQ Global Researcher. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. .

This journal article relates to the lack of diversity in marine habits. That our oceans are almost doing a de-evolution. The seas and oceans are slowly reversing to pre-historic sea life with creatures such as jellyfish reigning. Humans of course have a lot to do with it.

Elizabeth, Weise, and Hellmich Nanci. "Fishing altered oceans ages ago." USA Today n.d.: Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 31 Jan. 2010.

This article explores a new deeper understanding of humans interaction with our oceans. According to new research humans have been deep sea fishing for 30,000 years longer than we thought. So, what this means is that the oceans have been a source of food for thousands up thousands of years only leading to further depletion of larger species.

Environmental Spirituality

I would like to look at the role of spirituality in environmentalism. Spirituality has always played a huge role in how people connect with the environment, explain its phenomena, etc.. Today, it is difficult for many westerners to accept spirituality as truth because of certain Judea Christian social norms and the esteem that science holds in understanding the world. I would like to explore this explanation of the environment that spirituality offers, especially that in indigenous cultures. I will look at certain folklore and environmental art.

Jeffrey, Steven. "Spirituality and Environment." International Community for Ecopsychology. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. .

This website talks about the general role of spirituality in environmentalism. It has different subsections dealing with natural healing, interconnectedness, etc..

Sica, Guilo. "What part does spirituality play in the green movement?" Web log post.Guardian. 16 Jan. 2008. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. .

This site talks about the role of spirituality in the modern green movement. It will give the concept more of a context in today's popular school of thought.

Noble Savage and the Natural World

I am still unsure about what my final project will be like, but right now I’m very interested in discussing the social curiosity of the “natural world” and if this type of environment exists. Another area I think is linked to this topic is the “noble savage,” especially its portrayal in Romanticism and literature. I found two journal articles using JSTOR, one of which was very helpful, the other of which was not:

1)
Calhoon, Kenneth S. "The Education of the Human Race: Lessing, Freud, and the Savage Mind." The German Quarterly 64.2 (1991): 178-89. JSTOR. Web. 31 Jan. 2010.

Although this is article is mainly a discussion on psychology rather than environmental studies or literature, it offers well-formatted insight into the nature of “savagery,” which I something I know I want to focus my final project on. The article talks a lot about Levi-Strauss, some of the juxtaposition between the Enlightenment and Romanticism, and of course Lessing and Freud, but there is thorough discussion on society’s unreasonable obsession with the “nobleness” of savagery. “The ‘pure’ savage can never be more than a hypotheses, for even if there still existed a primary community untouched by civilization, it would be empirically inaccessible, since one could not communicate with its people without transforming them into something other than what one set out to study.” (p. 179)

2)
Murray, Elsie. "The "Noble Savage"" The Scientific Monthly 36.3 (1933): 250-57. JSTOR. Web. 31 Jan. 2010.

Another article I found through JSTOR was far less modern, but interestingly detailed with the reoccurring theme of the “natural man” in Romantic literature, as inspired by Captain John Smith’s account of Native Americans. This article was not as helpful as the other one, and instead of discussing the “noble savage,” it critiqued literature’s obsession with the natural world in a negative way. It was still helpful to see a different side on the Romantic’s beloved noble savage motif and to read about accounts of Native Americans in the 15th century.

Greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and consumption in a nordic perspective

Erik Dotzauer. Energy Policy. Kidlington: Feb 2010. Vol. 38, Iss. 2; pg. 701

Abstract (Summary)

During the last decade, there has been an intensive debate on-going in Sweden about how power generation and use affect global warming. More precisely, the discussion has considered how electricity shall be assessed from an environmental and climate perspective in different situations. This article gives a critical analysis on the main viewpoints. A number of environmental-impact assessment principles are outlined and critically examined. Concepts like average electricity and marginal electricity are discussed, and Electricity Disclosure as a basis for evaluation is addressed. The impact from Emission Trading and Tradable Green Certificates is also considered. Recommendations to concerned stakeholders are given. The clash points in the Swedish debate are highlighted and thus made available to a broader audience outside Scandinavia. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Predicting coral bleaching in response to environmental stressors using 8 years of global-scale data

Susan Harrell Yee, Mace G Barron. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Dordrecht: Feb 2010. Vol. 161, Iss. 1-4; pg. 423

Abstract (Summary)

Coral reefs have experienced extensive mortality over the past few decades as a result of temperature-induced mass bleaching events. There is an increasing realization that other environmental factors, including water mixing, solar radiation, water depth, and water clarity, interact with temperature to either exacerbate bleaching or protect coral from mass bleaching. The relative contribution of these factors to variability in mass bleaching at a global scale has not been quantified, but can provide insights when making large-scale predictions of mass bleaching events. Using data from 708 bleaching surveys across the globe, a framework was developed to predict the probability of moderate or severe bleaching as a function of key environmental variables derived from global-scale remote-sensing data. The ability of models to explain spatial and temporal variability in mass bleaching events was quantified. Results indicated approximately 20% improved accuracy of predictions of bleaching when solar radiation and water mixing, in addition to elevated temperature, were incorporated into models, but predictive accuracy was variable among regions. Results provide insights into the effects of environmental parameters on bleaching at a global scale. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Endangered Species Study

I am interested in studying the implications humans pose on the many threatened and endangered species, and how education and awareness may provide a solution to this crisis. Throughout the past year I have been researching the population density of an endangered fish, specifically the Okaloosa Darter, found only in a small collection of drainages within Okaloosa County, Florida. Since this species is a specialist, it serves as a great model to study the many human associated factors that cause dramatic declines in population sizes.

After doing a little research, I found two articles relevant to the above topic.

Jacobson, S.K. and Marynowski, S.B. Public attitudes and knowledge about ecosystem management on Department of Defense land in Florida. Conservation Biology. 1997, 11, 770-781.

This article focuses on the attitudes of recreational users, hunters, and fishers towards the conservation of endangered species on the Eglin Air Force Base, as well as neighboring citizens. The Eglin Air Force Base is the primary location of the Okaloosa Darter. This article reflects the negative views people have towards conservation of species and management of land, and how by becoming aware of these attitudes, we will hopefully be able to address them.

Dorazio, R.M., Jelks, H.L., and Jordan, F. Improving Removal-Based Estimates of Abundance by Sampling a Population of Spatially Distinct Subpopulations. Biometrics. 2005, 61, 1093-1101.

This article is more scientifically based as compared to the former. It focuses on the advantages of different techniques of fish removal depending on the type of study being performed. This article is based on a study that uses these techniques to record the population size of distinct subpopulations of the Okaloosa Darter.

Music and Environmental Studies

Since Environmental Studies is very interdisciplinary, I was curious if and how music and Env. Studies work together. And I was surprised: after a little research, there was a huge field dealing with music and Env. Studies, from "The World Soundscape Project" to "Acoustic Ecology" and so on. Though this is very fascinating, I still don't know if I my final project will deal with music at all. I definetively don't want to write a research paper b/c in this class I have the chance to do something else. And I think it should be something practical. The issue: I don't know how to combine this. Anyway,here are two sources dealing with music and Environmental Studies.

Dunn, David, and Rene van Peer. "Music, Language and Environment." Leonardo Music Journal 9., Power and Responsibility: Politics, Identity and Technology in Music (1999): 63-7

This is an interview with the sound recordist and composer David Dunn who created 'musical' pieces by combining environmental sounds (the song of a mockingbird, for example) with artificial sounds. Dunn explains his motivation, his thoughts and ideas. One of his major points is to show the interaction between humans and their surrounding environments.


Turner, Kate, and Bill Freedman. "Music and Environmental Studies." Journal of Environmental Education 36.1 (2004): 45-52

This article gives a broad overview of people's work in the area "Music and Environmental Studies" and mentions recent key topics. It further discusses the relations between music and the sounds of nature and how nature influences music (for example Beethoven's symphony No. 6, "Pastoral"). In the end, the authors show how music can help to create an awareness of environmental topics.