Reading Lab: Glacier National Park and
Related Current Research Projects
Geography 06: September 22 nd

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For this lab, we are going to concentrate on research happening in Glacier National Park http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/gfs_research.ht
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The areas that you will cover in this lab are based on your interests but will come from the following topics:
 Bear Ecology
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Global Climate Change
Whitebark and Limber Pine Ecology
Mountain Landscape Ecology
Repeat Photography
Amphibian Ecology

Modeled Climate-Induced Glacier Change in Glacier National Park, 1850-2100 http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/glacier_model.htm

Alpine Treeline: Lab Question #1
Spatial Changes in Alpine Treeline Vegetation Patterns http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/treeline_rsrch.htm

How does this study incorporate both spatial and temporal scale?

Mountain Environments and Response to Environmental Changes
 How are Mountain Environments responding to environmental changes?
 Glaciers, vegetation, habitat and animal population…
 How are these expressed in the GNP studies we see in this lab?
 Use both research and images provided to discuss environmental change and responses within GNP

 Research results are often a product of the study scale both spatial and ecological.
 What are some of the scales used in these studies?

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Land Area in terms of scale can be defined by glacier area, however ecological scale could be defined as number of tree species or amphibian species
What is temporal scale? How was this used in the topics covered?
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Measurement data
Collection times
What are the advantages and disadvantages of different scale types
 Small versus large?
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Local versus regional
Contextual Information

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Review current research projects and examine about five themes being studied in these mountain environments
Research being conducted has topics ranging from animal habitat, repeat photography to alpine tree line, you find what you are interested in!!
In your analysis and write up, you need to describe pattern of phenomena across the mountain landscape – what are the processes that influence these patterns and how can we describe these spatially? How is scale important in these findings – what is the extent of this research?

 Please discuss what areas you have already looked at – what did you find interesting?
 Do you have questions/clarifications
 The lab report should be 2-3 pages (Double spaced).
 Office hours:
 Monday 11-1, Student Union 2501F
 Wednesday 3-4:30 317 Saunders Hall