here are some photos from one of many field trips we will be taking as part of a course i am taking this semester, biodiversity and ecosystem services. the idea is that ecosystems provide a number of different services to human populations (water purification, recreation, economic opportunities, grazing, soil stabilization, buffers to droughts and floods, etc) and that trade-offs exists between these services. in areas heavily influenced by human activities and governed under a mandate of "multi-uses" some interesting trends emerge. we are attempting to gather data using established ecological field work techniques from 3 different plots in the Superstition park land to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan region. abundant rain this season makes these trips much more enjoyable and green. it was so nice to see (and hear) flowing water in our traditionally parched environment.
one of the most common recreational activities in this area is, sadly, shooting despite the prohibition in place. i guess hitting a stationary endangered saguaro from 10 meters distance with a 20 gauge shotgun really strokes some egos and speaks highly of one's marksmanship. :/
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