Today's commentary
Submitted by Hans Christian (Greenland), Rebecca (Denmark), Jeannie (USA), and Aima (Greenland)
Today began with an early wake-up so we could get on the bus to go out towards the glacier. On the bus ride this morning, we were lucky enough to see a family of musk ox near the river.
Musk Ox JSEP saw on outwash plain. Photo by Hans Christian Sivertsen, 2011.
First we went to the Penn State University camp. We were able to see how the scientists working there live and work in the field. After getting a view of their base camp tents, we headed out to their field site.
JSEP group hiking to Penn State Field Site (Photo by Hans Christian Sivertsen, 2011)
The three different scientists working there now took turns showing us what they are doing. Mike told us how he is researching the caterpillars in the area. We learned about the population bursts of the caterpillars and about a parasite that attacks the caterpillars. We then got a chance to look for the caterpillar pupae to help him determine what is happening to the population right now.
Sean then showed us his work regarding photosynthesis and gas exchange. We learned about different strategies that plants take in different environments. He also told us about their research regarding how the plants in the area are affected by temperature and herbivores.
Scientist Sean Cahoon shows how his carbon flux equipment works. Photo by Hans Christian Sivertsen (2011)
Dave then took us to find some plant samples. We took samples of birch, willow, festuca grass.
Many of the groups took more samples at the field site and the geology group continued their investigation permafrost depths under the active layer at different elevations. The geology group also found a sample of Monazite while we were out today.
We then headed back to the bus to go visit the glacier. Once there, we enjoyed some hot chocolate and then the different groups headed out to do some testing. The health group tested how our body temperatures changed as they were lying on the ice. The atmospheric group took more samples of the air as well as the ice. Other groups just took some time to “chill” and enjoy the scenery.
Health research group tests their temperature and energy use on the glacier. Photo by Hans Christian Sivertsen, 2011.
Today's scientists
Michael Avery (Penn State University)
Sean Cahoon (Penn State University)
David Watts (Penn State University)
Vocabulary
qasuvunga (Greenlandic) - tired
sullineq (Greenlandic) - catepillar
ingasak (Greenlandic) - this is amazingly crazy