Earthwatch Diaries - 2011

More Unexpected Rain and Indoor Experiments

While enjoying our morning meal of noodles, eggs, mixed meats, and vegetables we were informed by Dr. Pei that the torrential rain we had heard during the night had reduced the forest to a muddy sludge, which is dangerous due to the fact that most of the study plots are at an incline of more than 50 degrees!

The resulting task for us was to work in the laboratory sorting out leaf and forest floor litter. Not one of us had a clue what this entailed so we were relieved to get a tour of the laboratory and the different functions of each room. Adjacent to the leaf litter sorting station was a room dedicated to sorting roots from soil samples to determine the carbon content, a room for drying leaf litter samples (sometimes also used to cook sweet potatoes), as well as a room with 10 customizable environmentally controlled ovens used to monitor different growth rates of seedlings according to different settings.

We all settled down in pairs in a large room and each pair was given an envelope which we emptied onto a white sheet and, using big tweezers, settled down to the meticulous task of categorizing the contents. Mostly there were leaves and insect secretions and often we encountered seeds, bark, twigs, and the insects themselves (killed by the preheating in the drying oven). Each category was weighed and recorded on sheets.

 
After a brief pause during the morning, the torrential rain decided to make itself known again just after lunch, which washed away all hopes of being able to go out into the field for our last day here in Gutianshan forest. After a rest we gathered together to develop a template which we would all use when designing our presentations upon our return home. We came up with such a wealth of information that it became hard to imagine a presentation under 60 minutes-- so all our colleagues can look forward to a full-fledged, but perhaps significantly edited, presentation.

We combined our ideas with the Mandarin speaking side of our team who came up with even more topics to discuss--it will be up to each Fellow to determine what is presented. This activity was followed by a lively dinner and some relaxation time in the common room, where we swapped photos and saw possibly the largest flying beetle yet!

So, to our dismay we came to the realization that we have only one more day before our adventure ends, time has flown by all too quickly - as it often does when one is having fun!

                        Blogger: Freyja Yeatman

Unexpected Rain and Indoor Experiments

Today was our fourth day into the program. Due to unexpected rains, the original plan of collecting data in the field was changed to an indoor project: laboratory work distinguishing the differences between different types of objects that had fallen to the forest floor.

 

My initial impression of scientific work in laboratories is that one must always be very precise, careful and serious, yet today’s experience has shed new light on how I think experiments work. In addition to the need to be precise, careful and serious, laboratory work also requires tremendous patience. Samples of fallen objects have to be subdivided into the leaves, barks, fruits, and flowers of specific plants, and a large number of the samples collected have to be classified. This shows the importance of patience while conducting scientific experiments.

 

Having worked with the Earthwatch team and scientists for four days, I now have a better understanding of the destruction of the natural environment as well as the overexploitation of resources. I also have a more profound realization of the importance of practicing sustainability to protect our environment.

 


Below are some of my reflections on the environmental scientists as well as what I have learned from them thus far:

Admiration
Many peers around my age (born after 1980) had childhood dreams of becoming a scientist or a soldier. In my mind, engaging in scientific research has always been a very noble profession. Scientists have mastered much expert knowledge, and nothing is impossible for scientists. To become one was a sacred and lofty ideal in my childhood years.

Faded in Memories
With time and changing experiences, many childhood dreams of becoming scientists gradually fade away. People become more realistic, and everyone is busy working and living their lives. Many research findings achieved by scientists are applied to real life, but most people tend to focus on the outcomes and neglect the processes. For the public, it’s enough to know the results. So scientists also slowly fade gradually out of the public sight and become forgotten people.

Astonishment
I believe many busy office workers like me, as well as physical workers, have little or no chance of coming in contact with scientific experiments and research. I feel very fortunate that Earthwatch has given me this opportunity to so closely engage in these scientific activities.

 


Here is a summary of our daily agenda:

6:00 Get up
7:00-7:30 Breakfast
7:30-12:00 Fieldwork (one-way by car is about 30 minutes, hiking is an additional 30 minutes)
12:00-13:00 Lunch (in the open, self-prepared fried rice, very simple)
13:00- 15:00 Fieldwork
15:00 Return
16:00-18:00 Environmental learning sessions while scientists go to the laboratory to conduct experiments
18:00-19:00 Dinner
19:00-21:00 Personal learning

Fieldwork is the most difficult part of all. The consumption of energy going back and forth is immense, and our lunches are very simple. The key is that every single tree (as long as it’s thicker than a cigarette) must be marked and recorded. There are tens of thousands of trees on a hill, and they are all of many different species. Day after day, year after year, scientists walk in the forests and conduct their work in the laboratory without fail. 

 
 
 

Reflection
How many scientists like those in Gutianshan Nature Reserve are there silently dedicating their youth and wisdom for environmental protection and learning more about the world? Now, the world on which humans depend for their existence has been seriously damaged. The rate of deforestation, the overexploitation of coal, atmospheric contamination, and extreme weather has intensified. What can we do in face of such enormous environmental pressure and an overwhelmed Earth? What can humanity do as a whole? Protect the environment. Advocate a low-carbon lifestyle. Sustainable development cannot wait!

Action
As an Earthwatch volunteer researcher, I am very lucky to have gone through such a special life experience. A week of Earthwatch activities will soon be over, but the protection of the environment and resources as well as the advocacy work of sustainable development will not end. We should echo the sustainability philosophy of Alcoa and pass the knowledge we have learned from Earthwatch on to many more employees and community through follow-up activities.

 

Team-building and Lessons Learned

This morning seemed much cooler than yesterday due to heavy, misty cloud cover, and after another plentiful breakfast we gathered for the official team photo. We massed in front of the "rock" in full Earthwatch T-shirt regalia. Carrying packed lunches of rice and fruits we headed out for today's mission: to conquer another 9 plots a little further up the mountain. Dr. Pei provided some quick Tai-Chi lessons which doubled as our physical warm-up routine and his amazing flexibility and fluidity led us to knick-name him "Jackie Chan" (I know the "slice the watermelon" move will be with us all forever.).

 
 
Because the first day presented us with slopes made slippery with dried leaf matter, the prospect of even steeper slopes was only tempered by the knowledge that this time we believed we knew what we were doing. While the path was steep it was easier to climb and base camp was quickly set up in an area used by Earthwatch researchers conducting 24-hour soil respiration studies. It was a small flat area and we soon all keenly set about our work. New teams were created and it did not take long for the competitive streak to kick-in among some of us. It might be surprising for some to learn that it was not the sporty or macho-men competing, but a couple of the women who bantered back and forth over who was fastest, who had more to do, who had the harder job, etc. The mission to size and classify the plantation pine was completed by all three teams in record time - so quickly in fact that we trekked back down to the pick-up point for an early lunch.

 
 
For being so quick in the morning, our afternoon reward was to complete data entry work, which involved transposing field data into spreadsheets (I guess every great discovery had its tedious tasks). We then split into our English and Chinese speaking teams for course-work learning. Today’s lessons explored our understanding of Alcoa’s Corporate Sustainability using a S.W.O.T approach. The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats were discussed and reviewed with the view that this may be a source of ideas for our individual post-expedition action plans. We closed the session with our 5-minute personal pre-work presentations. (I must remember to use pictures in the background of Power Point slides from now on, because those that did use them looked great! Thanks, Freyja!)

The day ended nicely with a combined HSBC and Alcoa team dinner. We were able to chat with other corporate sustainability fellows. So it’s good night from the team--Katherine, Freyja, Manon and Peter.

Team Spirit

After breakfast in the morning, our team put on our Earthwatch t-shirts and took a group photo in front of the Gutianshan Villa. Our team spirit instantly emerged:

 
The work today was similar to yesterday’s. We proceeded to the artificial forest and measured the window size of the dendrometers (the device that measures the height and diameter of trees), observed the conditions of the tree crowns and graded their diaphaneity (the level of sunlight they let through). Here, team members worked intensely with the assigned tasks:

 
 
 
With the experience accumulated from yesterday, we worked a lot faster today. We completed our tasks ahead of time, struck a pose and celebrated.

 
The next photo is a special one. Try looking at it from another angle. It’ll give you a different feeling!


                                           Blogger: Tony Tao

Fellows Research Critical Climate Change Issues

 


 
 
 
 
 

First Day of Fieldwork

Today we had our first day of fieldwork with Dr. Liu and her associate. We had been given some training the day before, but finally our research assistant skills would be put to the test. It would seem as though Alcoans are well suited for fieldwork, because we finished ahead of schedule! The fieldwork itself is extremely detail-oriented and high concentration is necessary at all times. Completing our first day of fieldwork heightened our admiration of the local research team.

 
 
Having completed our tasks ahead of schedule, a few of the team members had time to go for a walk around the premises up to a waterfall nearby. It was a nice walk and a beautiful waterfall, which gave us the right energy to go ahead with today`s lessons.

 
 
Our main topic of the day was "Our Planet Under Pressure." An eye-opening session led by Dr. Pei and Nicole, which forced us all to think through our own carbon footprint and use of the earth's resources. Living in abundance in the developed world makes you feel fortunate, but also feel that you have to take a higher share of the responsibility to make sure our planet will be under less pressure in the future.

 

The day ended with a very interesting call with Alcoa China Corporate Affairs. Alcoa China has made great efforts in their sustainable work and the development of green products. There were many inspirational ideas to bring back home to one's own country and region. 

                                Blogger: Kathrine Naess

Lunch and Learn

Today we woke up to an early start and ate a delicious traditional Chinese breakfast cooked by the hotel staff. After breakfast we had the opportunity to rest until 8 o'clock at which time we all met in the common room for a dual-language introduction lead by Nicole and Anna Li, our Earthwatch facilitators.

We started off with an exercise aimed at learning more about each other - we each had to draw one thing that we would like to take with us on the trip and then explained to the group why this was so. It was an enlightening experience. The introduction also gave us a better understanding of the role of an Alcoa Earthwatch Fellow and what is expected of us upon our return home.

After that Dr. Liu and Dr. Pei came to enlighten us about climate change and, more specifically, the role of forests and why we are studying them. We got a small introduction to the experiments we will be performing out in the field during the next three days and learned a bit about how the plots were set up. Everyone was very active in asking questions!

We then enjoyed lunch, again traditionally Chinese, which we gobbled up. After lunch we were able to enjoy some personal time in which half of us made use of the ping-pong room and enjoyed some healthy competition.

We were all anxious to go out into the field and at 3 o'clock we met in the lobby all geared up in hiking boots, sunhats, and water. We only walked a short distance along the road before veering off up the mountainside for a short while. There Dr. Liu showed us how to find target trees and measure their diameter and circumference. We attached an aluminum band (surely made by Alcoa!) around the tree trunk, which would measure the progress of the tree's growth - a spring allows the band to expand as the tree's diameter gets larger.

After this short learning session we headed back to the hotel to refresh ourselves and relax before dinner.

                                    Blogger: Freyja Yeatman

Gutianshan, here we come!

 
One tree doesn’t make a forest. Protecting the environment requires a common consensus and everyone doing their part! A historic meeting between the Alcoa Earthwatch Fellows and some HSBC Climate Champions.

 

Grinding a chopper will not delay the work of cutting firewood. We must become qualified Earthwatch volunteers. Photos taken during pre-work training. Thank you teachers for all your hard work.

 

 

 

Studying hard and participating actively are two essential tasks.

 

 

 

Everything is ready, except that we haven’t had our in-the-field training. So it's time to set off on the road!


 

Field training looks easy, but when putting it to practice, we must work with both hands, and sweat was pouring off us.

 

Fresh air, clean streams, and songs of the cicadas—when will everyone be able to enjoy an environment such as this? Let’s give back this planet to our children.

 

Earthwatch, we’re on the way…
Saving the planet, we’re on the way…


                    Blogger: Wang Fu-Lian

Expedition 2: Gutianshan National Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province, China - August 21-27

Journey to China

The Gutianshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR) is approximately 81 km squared and is located in Kai Hua County, at the extreme west of Zhejiang Province, East China. The Reserve was formed in 1975 in the Yangtze River basin, and was established to preserve a portion of evergreen broad-leaved forest in the region. Over 1400 species of plants have been recorded in the Reserve.

As a result of global climate change, the way these forests shift in species composition and structure and how they affect ecosystem carbon budgets will present challenges to current forest management practices. The projects at the China Regional Climate Center will assess the effects of climate change in the Guitianshan Reserve. This will be determined by performing research in 12 established plots, which cover a range of disturbed forests—namely plantation, secondary re-growth and old-growth forests.

Meet Team 2 Fellows

 
Niu Hui, Kunshan, China
I was born and raised in a village in North China. During my childhood, there was very thick snow in the winter and full green trees in the summer. Also, there was a pond where people could wash clothes after it rained heavily. But, now, all of this does not exist. The pond has dried up. The trees have been cut down. The snow in the winter is not as thick as it was when I was a child. More land is barren and I know that this is the result of the destruction of the environment. The Earthwatch expedition provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about natural science and the impact of climate change on the atmosphere. In addition, I can enhance my environmental awareness and encourage my colleagues, friends and relatives to advocate for environmental protection. 

 
Wang Fulian, Kunshan, China
I’ve worked in Alcoa (Kunshan), China Rolled Products for four years since I graduated from university. I’m now the ABS supervisor of Kunshan. I want to learn about what we can do in our daily life and work to decrease the effects of greenhouse gases and protect our environment. I want to share what I learn with our community as much as I can through Alcoa’s influence and Kunshan’s group effort. 
 
 
Tony Tao, Shanghai, China
Within Alcoa, we have an unwavering action-oriented focus on sustainability. As one member of this sustainability leadership company, I am concerned about environmental protection. I would like to participate in the Earthwatch expedition to learn more about weather and climate change and forest sustainability. I also expect to work with my Alcoa colleagues to share and apply best practices, promote the lessons learned at my location and make connections around the world.

 
Geng Xiaopeng, Bohai, China
I am looking forward to learning about the current condition of the forest and seeing the relationship between the climate and different plants. I believe I will get a good understanding of how to protect the environment in my daily life and share these ideas with the people around me.

 
Kathrine Naess, Norway, Europe
I am first of all looking forward to meeting other Alcoans from around the world. Second, I am looking forward to learning more about Alcoa’s community work. Sustainability and environmental issues have been a very important aspect of the lives of most Norwegians. It will be very exciting to see how sustainability is handled in other parts of the world – and identify how I can contribute outside my own country. Finally, I hope the experiences I bring home from China will be inspirational to young environmentalists in my local community.

 
Peter Machen, Waroona, Australia
As a minerals processing chemist, I have a professional and personal interest in the chemistry and physics used to evaluate the sensitivity of global climate change due to anthropogenic activity. I am really looking forward to this unique opportunity to visit China because of the contrasting cultures, economic growth, and total population, relative to Australia. This Earthwatch expedition will enable me to meet people who are experiencing completely different lifestyles than the one I have in Australia and I hope their perspectives will enhance my understanding of both climate related science and how I can live more sustainably at home. Clearly, this fellowship is a valuable opportunity and it has already encouraged me to begin learning Mandarin, so that the experience will be as rewarding as possible. I am very grateful to be participating.

 
Manon Tisseur, Quebec, Canada
I strive to live a healthy life on a healthy planet. I expect to learn more about climate change and what we are doing to improve our way of life. Working among a fellowship of people from all over the world will certainly be a memorable experience. Educating, raising awareness, sharing stories and research results are some actions that I wish to contribute to my fellow co-workers, community, family and friends from this rich experience.

 
Freyja Yeatman, Fjarðaál, Iceland
Being accepted into Earthwatch was a dream that unexpectedly came true. I couldn’t believe it when I heard I was going to China! The things that most excite me are: going to a completely new place, meeting new people, and learning new things about sustainability. This combination energizes me beyond measure; I thrive in this type of situation! I’ll be learning about something I feel passionately about and can hopefully use this experience to influence positive changes. Although I have been aware of it my whole life, I have never looked deeply into the reasons for or consequences of global warming and I hope to gain a rich understanding of these issues, during this once in a lifetime experience.

Day 5 - Our last day in the rain forest

We started the day with another fantastic breakfast, this time prepared by Jaimie and Marcelo.  It was an unusual egg frittata, followed by red and green Jell-O.  This combination was very surprising for all the non-Americans, who had never eaten Jell-O for breakfast.  The general consensus was that breakfast Jell-O is definitely better than Australian vegemite!

 
 Marcelo and Cornelia collecting and bagging leaf litter samples.

 

After that, we set off once more to the forest for the last time.  Amazingly, we saw a fresh puma footprint in the muddy path.  Apparently, it's a well known local puma.  We learned that each puma needs 8,000 hectares of rain forest to hunt sufficient prey.

 

When we arrived at today's plot we started to measure bee hives once more.  This was followed by tree measuring and leaf litter collections.

 

We wrapped up the field work arround midday.  We were thrilled when the Lead Scientist told us that the team achieved all the goals which were set for us:

- We measured 300 trees.

- We emptied 30 leaf litter trays.

- We weighed 15 bee hives.

- We classified and weighed 30 leaf litter samples.

 

Overall, the Alcoa team collectively contributed 135 hours of field research work and 45 hours of labratory work.

 

The team after the completion of today's tasks and achievement of all goals.

 

We then hiked back to our base camp, and caught a bus to Morretes, the nearest town.  Once we arrived we were treated to a fantastic traditional lunch.  It included Barreado, a local meal which is stewed for a whole day, and served with palm flour and bananas.  Even after a short week in the forest, we were surprised how foreign it suddenly felt to be back in a small town, seeing houses and cars and power lines instead of towering trees, ferns and muddy trails.

 

After that we spent a little bit of time on sightseeing and souvenir hunting before returning to the Earthwatch camp. 

 

Once there each team member started to brainstorm which unique sustainability project they wanted to deliver when they return to their own location.

 

It's certainly sad that we'll leave the field tomorrow, but we still feel inspired by the beauty of the Atlantic rain forest , and will ensure that we will follow up the expedition by sharing the experience with our colleagues and deliver our sustainability projects.  Of course, we will also remain in touch with each other, even though we work at so many different plants.

 

Bloggers: Heitor Parenti Junior from Brazil and Cornelia Major from Australia