Research news
Robert Michael Pyle to appear at OSU for Campus Creature Census Celebration
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Master naturalist and author Robert Michael Pyle will be the featured guest at the Campus Creature Census Celebration, which will be held Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. in the International Living and Learning Center at Oregon State University.
The center is located at 1701 S.W. Western Blvd. in Corvallis.
Winning artwork and photography will be on display, and prose and poetry winners will share their entries at the event, which is free and open to the public.
Sponsored by OSU’s Spring Creek Project, the Campus Creature Census is an ongoing invitation to engage with all non-human creatures. According to Charles Goodrich, director of Spring Creek, the goal of the event is to create a catalog of person-to-person encounters with all the flora and fauna on campus, in prose or poetry, visual art or photography, or field guide-type entry.
Pyle is one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier lepidopterists and the author of award-winning books informed by his engagement with nature. His books include “Wintergreen: Rambles in a Ravaged Land,” “Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide,” and his latest, “The Tangled Bank.”
For more information, go to http://springcreek.oregonstate.edu/
College of Liberal Arts Media Contact: Angela Yeager Source:Charles Goodrich, 541-737-6198
Robert Michael Pyle to appear at OSU for Campus Creature Census Celebration
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Master naturalist and author Robert Michael Pyle will be the featured guest at the Campus Creature Census Celebration, which will be held Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. in the International Living and Learning Center at Oregon State University.
The center is located at 1701 S.W. Western Blvd. in Corvallis.
Winning artwork and photography will be on display, and prose and poetry winners will share their entries at the event, which is free and open to the public.
Sponsored by OSU’s Spring Creek Project, the Campus Creature Census is an ongoing invitation to engage with all non-human creatures. According to Charles Goodrich, director of Spring Creek, the goal of the event is to create a catalog of person-to-person encounters with all the flora and fauna on campus, in prose or poetry, visual art or photography, or field guide-type entry.
Pyle is one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier lepidopterists and the author of award-winning books informed by his engagement with nature. His books include “Wintergreen: Rambles in a Ravaged Land,” “Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide,” and his latest, “The Tangled Bank.”
For more information, go to http://springcreek.oregonstate.edu/
College of Liberal Arts Media Contact: Angela Yeager Source:Charles Goodrich, 541-737-6198
OSU awards scholarships to 17 college-bound 4-H'ers
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State University Extension Service's 4-H youth program has awarded almost $18,900 in scholarships to 17 high school seniors.
To qualify for the scholarships, students had to be members of 4-H for a minimum of three years, said Helen Pease, 4-H youth program coordinator with the OSU Extension Service. Judging was based on scholastic achievement, 4-H projects and activities and a personal essay. In the essay, applicants were asked to describe their growth in 4-H, emphasizing 4-H's five "C's" of youth development: competence, confidence, character, caring and compassion.
Scholarship recipient Katie Waldo of Corvallis compared her growth in 4-H to flipping through a photo album of her most meaningful experiences in the program. Those experiences included holding her first marketable lamb and attending the 4-H National Congress in 2011.
"These images and their stories will continue to remind me not only of who I am and what I've done but also how much I am capable of changing and the amazing things I can accomplish when I believe in myself and the people around me," she wrote in her essay.
Recipients of the statewide 4-H scholarships for 2013 are:
Albany: Clint Hamilton, $500, Duane P. Johnson 4-H Scholarship.
Aumsville: Raquel Albee, $3,500, Martha MacGregor Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Canyon City: Josh Whitman, $1,000, Babe Coe Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Central Point: Madison Gierloff, $1,250, Klein-Youngberg Family 4-H Scholarship.
Corvallis: Makai Bradley, $1,250, Klein-Youngberg family. Justine Ekman, $1,500, Judith K. Hofer Scholarship. Sam Greydanus, $1,000, CHS Foundation Scholarship. Megan Pinard, $1,000, Oregon 4-H Foundation. Ann Santich, $1,250, Klein-Youngberg family. Katie Waldo, $1,500, H. Joe Myers Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Dallas: Jamie Kennedy, $557, O.M. Plummer Scholarship.
Hermiston: Bailey Burns, $1,000, A. Lois Redman 4-H Scholarship.
Philomath: Tessa Gourley, $1,000, Kate Thiess Memorial 4-H Scholarship. Courtney Kutzler, $500, Ted and Betty Dietz Memorial 4-H Scholarship. Tatiana Thompson, $1,000, Minnick Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Sherwood: Janika Jordan, $1,000, Jeanne Leeson Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
More information on the scholarships is at http://bit.ly/14wppGy.
4-H is the largest out-of-school youth development program nationwide. The OSU Extension Service oversees Oregon's 4-H program, which reached nearly 117,000 youth in kindergarten through 12th grade via a network of 8,534 volunteers in 2012. Activities focus on areas like healthy living, civic engagement, science and animal care. Learn more about 4-H at http://bit.ly/14fEFHF.
Extension Service Media Contact: Denise Ruttan Source:Helen Pease, 541-737-1314
OSU awards scholarships to 17 college-bound 4-H'ers
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State University Extension Service's 4-H youth program has awarded almost $18,900 in scholarships to 17 high school seniors.
To qualify for the scholarships, students had to be members of 4-H for a minimum of three years, said Helen Pease, 4-H youth program coordinator with the OSU Extension Service. Judging was based on scholastic achievement, 4-H projects and activities and a personal essay. In the essay, applicants were asked to describe their growth in 4-H, emphasizing 4-H's five "C's" of youth development: competence, confidence, character, caring and compassion.
Scholarship recipient Katie Waldo of Corvallis compared her growth in 4-H to flipping through a photo album of her most meaningful experiences in the program. Those experiences included holding her first marketable lamb and attending the 4-H National Congress in 2011.
"These images and their stories will continue to remind me not only of who I am and what I've done but also how much I am capable of changing and the amazing things I can accomplish when I believe in myself and the people around me," she wrote in her essay.
Recipients of the statewide 4-H scholarships for 2013 are:
Albany: Clint Hamilton, $500, Duane P. Johnson 4-H Scholarship.
Aumsville: Raquel Albee, $3,500, Martha MacGregor Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Canyon City: Josh Whitman, $1,000, Babe Coe Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Central Point: Madison Gierloff, $1,250, Klein-Youngberg Family 4-H Scholarship.
Corvallis: Makai Bradley, $1,250, Klein-Youngberg family. Justine Ekman, $1,500, Judith K. Hofer Scholarship. Sam Greydanus, $1,000, CHS Foundation Scholarship. Megan Pinard, $1,000, Oregon 4-H Foundation. Ann Santich, $1,250, Klein-Youngberg family. Katie Waldo, $1,500, H. Joe Myers Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Dallas: Jamie Kennedy, $557, O.M. Plummer Scholarship.
Hermiston: Bailey Burns, $1,000, A. Lois Redman 4-H Scholarship.
Philomath: Tessa Gourley, $1,000, Kate Thiess Memorial 4-H Scholarship. Courtney Kutzler, $500, Ted and Betty Dietz Memorial 4-H Scholarship. Tatiana Thompson, $1,000, Minnick Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
Sherwood: Janika Jordan, $1,000, Jeanne Leeson Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
More information on the scholarships is at http://bit.ly/14wppGy.
4-H is the largest out-of-school youth development program nationwide. The OSU Extension Service oversees Oregon's 4-H program, which reached nearly 117,000 youth in kindergarten through 12th grade via a network of 8,534 volunteers in 2012. Activities focus on areas like healthy living, civic engagement, science and animal care. Learn more about 4-H at http://bit.ly/14fEFHF.
Extension Service Media Contact: Denise Ruttan Source:Helen Pease, 541-737-1314
OSU celebrates opening of new Native American Longhouse, Eena Haws
The grand opening of the new Native American Longhouse at Oregon State University will take place Friday, May 17, at 4 p.m.
*Note to reporters: A preview media tour of the Longhouse can be arranged on Wednesday during the Salmon Bake.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The grand opening of the new Native American Longhouse at Oregon State University will take place Friday, May 17, at 4 p.m.
The new building, called Eena Haws, or ‘Beaver House’ in Chinook, is just south of the former longhouse, which is located at the corner of Jefferson Way and 26th Street in the heart of campus.
The new Longhouse, designed by Seattle architectural firm Jones & Jones, replaces a World War II-era Quonset hut.
The new structure reflects the shape and style of a traditional Oregon Coast longhouse while respecting the multiple tribal cultures represented at OSU. It was designed and developed in collaboration with Native students at OSU, who provided input and had decision-making roles throughout the entire process.
The Longhouse is the first of four new cultural centers Jones & Jones has designed for OSU. The centers are being funded with gifts from donors to The Campaign for OSU and university resources. The new 3,700-square-foot center includes a gathering hall, multi-purpose spaces for studying, relaxing and counseling, a kitchen, computer labs, an administrative office and a special sacred space.
For Mariah Huhndorf, an Alaska native of Athabaskan and Yupik descent, working at the Longhouse was a family tradition. Her older brother and sister worked at the center, and when she came to campus she was quickly welcomed into the community. The Longhouse was where she met her best friend, and where she had a chance to develop leadership skills and take on new responsibilities. It’s also where she learned to appreciate the ways in which her Native background made her unique.
“People were interested in my culture and it made me more proud to be able to share it with others,” she said.
Victoria Nguyen, director of Diversity Development at OSU, said the building of new cultural centers on campus demonstrates the dedication the campus has to supporting students of color.
“Diversity is a core initiative for OSU,” Nguyen said, “and in a time of budget constraints where some diversity programs (on other campuses) are being eliminated, we’re stating that we’re investing in diversity, and telling our community how important that is.”
The Longhouse has been decorated with donated artwork from Pacific Northwest Native artists, including the centerpiece, a one-of-a-kind, 360-degree totem created by master carver Clarence Mills of Vancouver, B.C., and two assistant carvers. Mills is a member of the Haida Nation, an indigenous people located in Canada and Alaska. The work was commissioned by Oregon State University alumni Luana (’72) and Jim Whyte (’70, MS ’72), who reside in Vancouver, B.C., and have a long-standing admiration for Native American artwork. (For a full story on the totem: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/lifeatosu/2012/800-year-old-fallen-cedar-tree-transformed-into-totem-pole-for-osu-longhouse/)
Daniel Cardenas, a graduate teaching assistant working with the Longhouse staff, said the new facility provides a home away from home for students, and a sense of community that helps them as students and individuals.
“For some Native students, the deck is stacked against them,” Cardenas said. “Here at the Longhouse we’re able to cover many forms of wellness (spiritual, social, etc). That has a long-term benefit to OSU in terms of student retention.”
Nguyen agreed.
“We have students provide testimony that says if not for the cultural centers I would not have had as full or rich an experience,” Nguyen said. “Students are choosing OSU because of our cultural centers and because they can find a place where they can make a connection with other students who share their culture.”
In addition to the opening ceremony, there will be several other events taking place that week on campus. On Wednesday, May 15, the 15th annual Salmon Bake will be held in the MU Quad from noon to 3 p.m. And during the weekend, May 18-19, the annual OSU Klatow Eena (Go Beavers) Powwow takes place in McAlexander Fieldhouse.
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Editor’s note: For photos, see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oregonstateuniversity/sets/72157633443594647/
Media Contact: Theresa Hogue Source:Victoria Nguyen, 541-737-6341
Multimedia Downloads Photo Download: Native American Longhouse Multimedia:
OSU celebrates opening of new Native American Longhouse, Eena Haws
The grand opening of the new Native American Longhouse at Oregon State University will take place Friday, May 17, at 4 p.m.
*Note to reporters: A preview media tour of the Longhouse can be arranged on Wednesday during the Salmon Bake.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The grand opening of the new Native American Longhouse at Oregon State University will take place Friday, May 17, at 4 p.m.
The new building, called Eena Haws, or ‘Beaver House’ in Chinook, is just south of the former longhouse, which is located at the corner of Jefferson Way and 26th Street in the heart of campus.
The new Longhouse, designed by Seattle architectural firm Jones & Jones, replaces a World War II-era Quonset hut.
The new structure reflects the shape and style of a traditional Oregon Coast longhouse while respecting the multiple tribal cultures represented at OSU. It was designed and developed in collaboration with Native students at OSU, who provided input and had decision-making roles throughout the entire process.
The Longhouse is the first of four new cultural centers Jones & Jones has designed for OSU. The centers are being funded with gifts from donors to The Campaign for OSU and university resources. The new 3,700-square-foot center includes a gathering hall, multi-purpose spaces for studying, relaxing and counseling, a kitchen, computer labs, an administrative office and a special sacred space.
For Mariah Huhndorf, an Alaska native of Athabaskan and Yupik descent, working at the Longhouse was a family tradition. Her older brother and sister worked at the center, and when she came to campus she was quickly welcomed into the community. The Longhouse was where she met her best friend, and where she had a chance to develop leadership skills and take on new responsibilities. It’s also where she learned to appreciate the ways in which her Native background made her unique.
“People were interested in my culture and it made me more proud to be able to share it with others,” she said.
Victoria Nguyen, director of Diversity Development at OSU, said the building of new cultural centers on campus demonstrates the dedication the campus has to supporting students of color.
“Diversity is a core initiative for OSU,” Nguyen said, “and in a time of budget constraints where some diversity programs (on other campuses) are being eliminated, we’re stating that we’re investing in diversity, and telling our community how important that is.”
The Longhouse has been decorated with donated artwork from Pacific Northwest Native artists, including the centerpiece, a one-of-a-kind, 360-degree totem created by master carver Clarence Mills of Vancouver, B.C., and two assistant carvers. Mills is a member of the Haida Nation, an indigenous people located in Canada and Alaska. The work was commissioned by Oregon State University alumni Luana (’72) and Jim Whyte (’70, MS ’72), who reside in Vancouver, B.C., and have a long-standing admiration for Native American artwork. (For a full story on the totem: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/lifeatosu/2012/800-year-old-fallen-cedar-tree-transformed-into-totem-pole-for-osu-longhouse/)
Daniel Cardenas, a graduate teaching assistant working with the Longhouse staff, said the new facility provides a home away from home for students, and a sense of community that helps them as students and individuals.
“For some Native students, the deck is stacked against them,” Cardenas said. “Here at the Longhouse we’re able to cover many forms of wellness (spiritual, social, etc). That has a long-term benefit to OSU in terms of student retention.”
Nguyen agreed.
“We have students provide testimony that says if not for the cultural centers I would not have had as full or rich an experience,” Nguyen said. “Students are choosing OSU because of our cultural centers and because they can find a place where they can make a connection with other students who share their culture.”
In addition to the opening ceremony, there will be several other events taking place that week on campus. On Wednesday, May 15, the 15th annual Salmon Bake will be held in the MU Quad from noon to 3 p.m. And during the weekend, May 18-19, the annual OSU Klatow Eena (Go Beavers) Powwow takes place in McAlexander Fieldhouse.
-30-
Editor’s note: For photos, see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oregonstateuniversity/sets/72157633443594647/
Media Contact: Theresa Hogue Source:Victoria Nguyen, 541-737-6341
Multimedia Downloads Photo Download: Native American Longhouse Multimedia:
OSU Beavers across nation gear up for day of service
Oregon State University volunteers from across the nation will gather in their communities this Saturday to show their Beaver spirit through the annual OSU Community Day of Service.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University volunteers from across the nation will gather in their communities this Saturday to show their Beaver spirit through the annual OSU Community Day of Service.
This rapidly growing annual event includes groups of alumni, students and friends of OSU from across Oregon, the West Coast, and even some as far as the nation’s capital.
“In addition to helping with many important community needs, Day of Service is a chance for Beaver alumni to reconnect with their fellow Oregon Staters wherever they live,” said Brian Collins, a volunteer in Washington D.C.
There is even a joint OSU-UO project in Philomath, bringing the number of OSU-related community projects to 40. The Philomath project involves student athletes from both universities working on a Habitat for Humanity build and is being organized by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
There are some unique projects such as clean-ups at a zoo, assisting with a low-cost feline vaccine clinic with OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as working with foster care homes and a rescued horse sanctuary. Other projects include trail clean-ups, working with local downtown associations to clean up shopping areas, and work on community parks and memorials. One crew is working at the famous Portland Rose Gardens.
Interested alumni and friends can still register for projects in their area by going to http://www.osualum.com/service. The projects take place from 9 a.m. to noon, May 18. Locations include eight in Portland, seven in Corvallis and Albany, six in California, four in Washington State, one in Idaho and one in Washington, D.C. In Oregon there are also projects in Roseburg, Oakland, Eugene, Salem, Stayton, Dallas, Newberg, Newport, Bend and Bandon.
The Bandon project is a special beach clean-up where participants gather trash and make art sculptures. Volunteers will sort cleaned beach debris by color and assist staff to construct a sculpture of a sea creature out of the debris. See: http://www.osualum.com/s/359/index.aspx?sid=359&gid=1&pgid=2304&cid=3443&content_id=2278
For a full list of projects and locations: www.osualum.com/service
Media Contact: Theresa Hogue Source:Kate Sanders, 541-737-6220
Multimedia Downloads Multimedia:OSU Beavers across nation gear up for day of service
Oregon State University volunteers from across the nation will gather in their communities this Saturday to show their Beaver spirit through the annual OSU Community Day of Service.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University volunteers from across the nation will gather in their communities this Saturday to show their Beaver spirit through the annual OSU Community Day of Service.
This rapidly growing annual event includes groups of alumni, students and friends of OSU from across Oregon, the West Coast, and even some as far as the nation’s capital.
“In addition to helping with many important community needs, Day of Service is a chance for Beaver alumni to reconnect with their fellow Oregon Staters wherever they live,” said Brian Collins, a volunteer in Washington D.C.
There is even a joint OSU-UO project in Philomath, bringing the number of OSU-related community projects to 40. The Philomath project involves student athletes from both universities working on a Habitat for Humanity build and is being organized by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
There are some unique projects such as clean-ups at a zoo, assisting with a low-cost feline vaccine clinic with OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as working with foster care homes and a rescued horse sanctuary. Other projects include trail clean-ups, working with local downtown associations to clean up shopping areas, and work on community parks and memorials. One crew is working at the famous Portland Rose Gardens.
Interested alumni and friends can still register for projects in their area by going to http://www.osualum.com/service. The projects take place from 9 a.m. to noon, May 18. Locations include eight in Portland, seven in Corvallis and Albany, six in California, four in Washington State, one in Idaho and one in Washington, D.C. In Oregon there are also projects in Roseburg, Oakland, Eugene, Salem, Stayton, Dallas, Newberg, Newport, Bend and Bandon.
The Bandon project is a special beach clean-up where participants gather trash and make art sculptures. Volunteers will sort cleaned beach debris by color and assist staff to construct a sculpture of a sea creature out of the debris. See: http://www.osualum.com/s/359/index.aspx?sid=359&gid=1&pgid=2304&cid=3443&content_id=2278
For a full list of projects and locations: www.osualum.com/service
Media Contact: Theresa Hogue Source:Kate Sanders, 541-737-6220
Multimedia Downloads Multimedia:OSU’s Engineering Expo to showcase student projects
The 14th annual Engineering Expo will feature more than 150 student-built projects from many engineering disciplines on Friday, May 17.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 14th annual Engineering Expo, featuring student projects from many engineering disciplines, will be held Friday, May 17, at the College of Engineering at Oregon State University.
The senior design showcase has more than 150 student-built projects, including at least 30 that focus on green energy and sustainability, and is combined with a “Robo*Palooza.” The event is free and open to the public, and will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelley Engineering Center on the OSU campus. Tours of the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory are also available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the hour.
More information on the event is available online at http://bit.ly/10o7V72 or by calling 541-737-3101.
The various displays offer an entertaining learning opportunity for anyone, organizers say, and may be of particular interest to high school students who are considering a career in engineering.
"The Expo celebrates the college's commitment to developing engineering leaders – students and graduates who apply their education to solve important and complex problems," said Sandra Woods, dean of the College of Engineering.
Among the various displays will be:
- A driving simulator where participants can interact with a video screen dashboard;
- A technology that uses solar energy to power a refrigeration system for developing countries;
- A laser radar camera that scans objects and creates a 3D image;
- A mechanical device designed to simulate tremors suffered by victims of neurological diseases, and aid in designing products for people with disabilities;
- 3D models of two indicator species, earthworms and honeybees, to determine safe and unsafe radiation doses for wildlife, which could help in the radiological cleanup at places such as Fukushima.
Abby Metzger, 541-737-3295
Source:Thuy Tran, 541-737-6020
Multimedia Downloads Multimedia:OSU’s Engineering Expo to showcase student projects
The 14th annual Engineering Expo will feature more than 150 student-built projects from many engineering disciplines on Friday, May 17.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 14th annual Engineering Expo, featuring student projects from many engineering disciplines, will be held Friday, May 17, at the College of Engineering at Oregon State University.
The senior design showcase has more than 150 student-built projects, including at least 30 that focus on green energy and sustainability, and is combined with a “Robo*Palooza.” The event is free and open to the public, and will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelley Engineering Center on the OSU campus. Tours of the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory are also available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the hour.
More information on the event is available online at http://bit.ly/10o7V72 or by calling 541-737-3101.
The various displays offer an entertaining learning opportunity for anyone, organizers say, and may be of particular interest to high school students who are considering a career in engineering.
"The Expo celebrates the college's commitment to developing engineering leaders – students and graduates who apply their education to solve important and complex problems," said Sandra Woods, dean of the College of Engineering.
Among the various displays will be:
- A driving simulator where participants can interact with a video screen dashboard;
- A technology that uses solar energy to power a refrigeration system for developing countries;
- A laser radar camera that scans objects and creates a 3D image;
- A mechanical device designed to simulate tremors suffered by victims of neurological diseases, and aid in designing products for people with disabilities;
- 3D models of two indicator species, earthworms and honeybees, to determine safe and unsafe radiation doses for wildlife, which could help in the radiological cleanup at places such as Fukushima.
Abby Metzger, 541-737-3295
Source:Thuy Tran, 541-737-6020
Multimedia Downloads Multimedia:Annual Klatowa Eena Powwow at OSU
Oregon State University’s annual Klatowa Eena Powwow takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, in Gill Coliseum on the OSU campus.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s annual Klatowa Eena Powwow takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, in Gill Coliseum on the OSU campus.
As part of the weekend festivities, the Native American Student Association of OSU and Type1 Beavers will host the Jim Thorpe Dash for Diabetes Fun Run, May 18, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Native American Longhouse. Early registration for the run is available at http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/dash-diabetes. The event is free.
Free blood glucose screenings and advice from campus health professionals will be available along with refreshments, prizes and giveaways.
The 37th annual Klatowa Eena Powwow takes place at Gill Coliseum (660 S.W. 26th St.). On Saturday, the Grand Entries take place at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. This year’s theme of “Honoring Native Youth,” will feature a young adult dance competition with traditional, grass, fancy and jingle dances.
In addition to the powwow, the annual salmon bake takes place in the MU Quad from noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 15. An open house at the new Native American Longhouse is set for Friday, May 17, 4 p.m., 311 S.W. 26th St.
Generic OSU Media Contact: Theresa Hogue Source:
Becky Evans, 541-737-0760
Annual Klatowa Eena Powwow at OSU
Oregon State University’s annual Klatowa Eena Powwow takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, in Gill Coliseum on the OSU campus.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s annual Klatowa Eena Powwow takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, in Gill Coliseum on the OSU campus.
As part of the weekend festivities, the Native American Student Association of OSU and Type1 Beavers will host the Jim Thorpe Dash for Diabetes Fun Run, May 18, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Native American Longhouse. Early registration for the run is available at http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/dash-diabetes. The event is free.
Free blood glucose screenings and advice from campus health professionals will be available along with refreshments, prizes and giveaways.
The 37th annual Klatowa Eena Powwow takes place at Gill Coliseum (660 S.W. 26th St.). On Saturday, the Grand Entries take place at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. This year’s theme of “Honoring Native Youth,” will feature a young adult dance competition with traditional, grass, fancy and jingle dances.
In addition to the powwow, the annual salmon bake takes place in the MU Quad from noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 15. An open house at the new Native American Longhouse is set for Friday, May 17, 4 p.m., 311 S.W. 26th St.
Generic OSU Media Contact: Theresa Hogue Source:
Becky Evans, 541-737-0760
Land management options outlined to address cheatgrass invasion
Research suggests that overgrazing can increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America.
The study this story is based on is available online: http://bit.ly/ZO8Ezb
CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new study suggests that overgrazing and other factors increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of North America’s most endangered ecosystems.
The research found that overgrazed land loses the mechanisms that can resist invasion. This includes degradation of once-abundant native bunchgrasses and trampling that disturbs biological soil crusts. The work was published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology by researchers from Oregon State University, Augustana College and the U.S. Geological Survey.
“We think there are ways to assess the risks these lands face to reduce the impact of cheatgrass invasion,” said Paul Doescher, professor and head of the OSU Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, and co-author on the study.
“In the future we should work cooperatively with ranchers and land managers to promote a diverse sagebrush and bunchgrass ecosystem,” Doescher said. “That type of community will protect the native plant and wildlife species and benefit sustainable rangeland use at the same time.”
Researchers suggested that one of the most effective restoration approaches would be to minimize the cumulative impact of grazing, by better managing the timing, frequency of grazing and number of animals.
The researchers also determined that, contrary to some previous suggestions, grazing does not reduce cheatgrass abundance. Cheatgrass was found by this study to be extremely tolerant of even intensive grazing, and the findings “raise serious concern” about proposals to use cattle grazing to help control its spread in areas where native bunchgrasses still persist.
The study outlines the complex ecological processes that can promote cheatgrass invasion and the indirect role overgrazing plays in that process. Increasing gaps and connection of gaps between once-abundant native bunchgrasses allow “a dramatic increase” in cheatgrass invasion, the study concluded. Such gaps could serve as a valuable “early warning indicator” and allow for management approaches that could help conserve and restore the land.
Cheatgrass threatens vast regions of the American West, especially the Great Basin in Nevada and surrounding states. These are areas which were once carpeted by millions of acres of native sagebrush, perennial bunchgrasses and associated wildlife that had evolved with little herbivore pressure. Cheatgrass displaces native grasses and wildlife, can increase fire frequency and ultimately cause an irreversible loss of these native shrub-steppe communities.
This also has grazing implications: cheatgrass is a short-lived annual grass that dries out quickly and provides lower quality forage for much of the year, compared to perennial bunchgrasses.
“Cheatgrass changes the fire regime, and as it spreads, can reach a tipping point,” said Michael Reisner, now an assistant professor at Augustana College who led this study as a doctoral student at OSU.
“After you cross that threshold, a major rangeland fire will come through that takes out the sagebrush, and in most cases the native ecosystem never recovers,” Reisner said. “Many of the plant and animal species that were there can disappear, mostly replaced by cheatgrass that offers poor forage for cattle.”
In a more resistant system, abundant native bunchgrasses can limit the size and connectivity of gaps, which minimizes the water and nutrients available to cheatgrass. Using data from 75 study sites, researchers found that high levels of cattle grazing were associated with reduced bunchgrass cover, with wider and more connections between the gaps that provided an opportunity for cheatgrass to invade.
Cattle trampling also appeared to disturb biological soil crust that offers a second defensive barrier against cheatgrass, and further speeds the invasion. Impacts are greater on the drier and warmer sites within this region.
If the level and amount of gaps indicates that it’s necessary, changes in grazing could help restore bunchgrass cover, maintain a diversity of native grass species and provide much better resistance to cheatgrass invasion, the study concluded. Continued research is needed to quantify the threshold levels of cattle grazing that would still maintain a healthy native ecosystem.
This work was supported by the U.S. Joint Fire Sciences Program, OSU, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
College of Forestry Media Contact: David Stauth Source:Paul Doescher, 541-737-6583
Multimedia Downloads Multimedia:Land management options outlined to address cheatgrass invasion
Research suggests that overgrazing can increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America.
The study this story is based on is available online: http://bit.ly/ZO8Ezb
CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new study suggests that overgrazing and other factors increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of North America’s most endangered ecosystems.
The research found that overgrazed land loses the mechanisms that can resist invasion. This includes degradation of once-abundant native bunchgrasses and trampling that disturbs biological soil crusts. The work was published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology by researchers from Oregon State University, Augustana College and the U.S. Geological Survey.
“We think there are ways to assess the risks these lands face to reduce the impact of cheatgrass invasion,” said Paul Doescher, professor and head of the OSU Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, and co-author on the study.
“In the future we should work cooperatively with ranchers and land managers to promote a diverse sagebrush and bunchgrass ecosystem,” Doescher said. “That type of community will protect the native plant and wildlife species and benefit sustainable rangeland use at the same time.”
Researchers suggested that one of the most effective restoration approaches would be to minimize the cumulative impact of grazing, by better managing the timing, frequency of grazing and number of animals.
The researchers also determined that, contrary to some previous suggestions, grazing does not reduce cheatgrass abundance. Cheatgrass was found by this study to be extremely tolerant of even intensive grazing, and the findings “raise serious concern” about proposals to use cattle grazing to help control its spread in areas where native bunchgrasses still persist.
The study outlines the complex ecological processes that can promote cheatgrass invasion and the indirect role overgrazing plays in that process. Increasing gaps and connection of gaps between once-abundant native bunchgrasses allow “a dramatic increase” in cheatgrass invasion, the study concluded. Such gaps could serve as a valuable “early warning indicator” and allow for management approaches that could help conserve and restore the land.
Cheatgrass threatens vast regions of the American West, especially the Great Basin in Nevada and surrounding states. These are areas which were once carpeted by millions of acres of native sagebrush, perennial bunchgrasses and associated wildlife that had evolved with little herbivore pressure. Cheatgrass displaces native grasses and wildlife, can increase fire frequency and ultimately cause an irreversible loss of these native shrub-steppe communities.
This also has grazing implications: cheatgrass is a short-lived annual grass that dries out quickly and provides lower quality forage for much of the year, compared to perennial bunchgrasses.
“Cheatgrass changes the fire regime, and as it spreads, can reach a tipping point,” said Michael Reisner, now an assistant professor at Augustana College who led this study as a doctoral student at OSU.
“After you cross that threshold, a major rangeland fire will come through that takes out the sagebrush, and in most cases the native ecosystem never recovers,” Reisner said. “Many of the plant and animal species that were there can disappear, mostly replaced by cheatgrass that offers poor forage for cattle.”
In a more resistant system, abundant native bunchgrasses can limit the size and connectivity of gaps, which minimizes the water and nutrients available to cheatgrass. Using data from 75 study sites, researchers found that high levels of cattle grazing were associated with reduced bunchgrass cover, with wider and more connections between the gaps that provided an opportunity for cheatgrass to invade.
Cattle trampling also appeared to disturb biological soil crust that offers a second defensive barrier against cheatgrass, and further speeds the invasion. Impacts are greater on the drier and warmer sites within this region.
If the level and amount of gaps indicates that it’s necessary, changes in grazing could help restore bunchgrass cover, maintain a diversity of native grass species and provide much better resistance to cheatgrass invasion, the study concluded. Continued research is needed to quantify the threshold levels of cattle grazing that would still maintain a healthy native ecosystem.
This work was supported by the U.S. Joint Fire Sciences Program, OSU, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
College of Forestry Media Contact: David Stauth Source:Paul Doescher, 541-737-6583
Multimedia Downloads Multimedia:Seventh “Diet and Optimum Health” conference planned at OSU
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Linus Pauling Institute will sponsor the seventh biennial conference on “Diet and Optimum Health” on May 15-18 at Oregon State University in Corvallis, including a free public session on Saturday morning about “Whole Food Approaches to Disease Prevention.”
The professional conference, which attracts some of the leading researchers in the world in the fields of diet, nutrition, micronutrients and other issues, will also include presentation of the Linus Pauling Institute Prize for Health Research. This is one of the most significant awards in the world recognizing excellence in research on the roles of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in promoting health and preventing or treating disease.
The free public session, which is co-sponsored by OSU’s Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition and Preventive Health, will be held Saturday, May 18, at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on the OSU campus, from 9 a.m. to noon. Topics of discussion will include dietary and health approaches to help prevent cancer, metabolic syndrome, childhood obesity and other health concerns.
As part of the public events, a lunch with researchers from the Linus Pauling Science Center is also possible, at a cost of $10, and free tours of the center will be available in the afternoon. More information on the agenda, speakers, and lunch and tour registration is available online at http://bit.ly/15tPuXg
“For the first time holding our conference in Corvallis, this day of activities for the public will help people understand how cutting-edge research can make a difference in all of our lives,” said Balz Frei, professor and director of the Linus Pauling Institute.
“These topics are very important, and will allow people to make the best choices about dietary approaches to help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity,” he said.
Topics at the professional conference will include sessions on:
- Omega-3 fatty acids, fatty acid oxidation and cardiovascular health
- Diet and epigenetic impacts on disease and aging
- Vitamin D—health benefits beyond bone
- Health effects and mechanisms of action of xanthohumol
- Health benefits of vitamin C: beyond scurvy
- Micronutrients in fertility and pregnancy
- Whole food approaches to disease prevention
The conference is co-sponsored by the Oxygen Club of California. More information on speakers, registration and other issues is available online at http://bit.ly/10n9UhU
Linus Pauling Institute Media Contact: David Stauth Source:
Balz Frei, 541-737-5078
Seventh “Diet and Optimum Health” conference planned at OSU
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Linus Pauling Institute will sponsor the seventh biennial conference on “Diet and Optimum Health” on May 15-18 at Oregon State University in Corvallis, including a free public session on Saturday morning about “Whole Food Approaches to Disease Prevention.”
The professional conference, which attracts some of the leading researchers in the world in the fields of diet, nutrition, micronutrients and other issues, will also include presentation of the Linus Pauling Institute Prize for Health Research. This is one of the most significant awards in the world recognizing excellence in research on the roles of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in promoting health and preventing or treating disease.
The free public session, which is co-sponsored by OSU’s Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition and Preventive Health, will be held Saturday, May 18, at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on the OSU campus, from 9 a.m. to noon. Topics of discussion will include dietary and health approaches to help prevent cancer, metabolic syndrome, childhood obesity and other health concerns.
As part of the public events, a lunch with researchers from the Linus Pauling Science Center is also possible, at a cost of $10, and free tours of the center will be available in the afternoon. More information on the agenda, speakers, and lunch and tour registration is available online at http://bit.ly/15tPuXg
“For the first time holding our conference in Corvallis, this day of activities for the public will help people understand how cutting-edge research can make a difference in all of our lives,” said Balz Frei, professor and director of the Linus Pauling Institute.
“These topics are very important, and will allow people to make the best choices about dietary approaches to help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity,” he said.
Topics at the professional conference will include sessions on:
- Omega-3 fatty acids, fatty acid oxidation and cardiovascular health
- Diet and epigenetic impacts on disease and aging
- Vitamin D—health benefits beyond bone
- Health effects and mechanisms of action of xanthohumol
- Health benefits of vitamin C: beyond scurvy
- Micronutrients in fertility and pregnancy
- Whole food approaches to disease prevention
The conference is co-sponsored by the Oxygen Club of California. More information on speakers, registration and other issues is available online at http://bit.ly/10n9UhU
Linus Pauling Institute Media Contact: David Stauth Source:
Balz Frei, 541-737-5078
Occasional raindrops do little to address drying state
In the last year, Oregon has veered from very wet to very dry conditions and the start to 2013 is the driest on record in Salem and Eugene, and second driest in Corvallis and Medford.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – When Oregonians can rototill their gardens in March, but then have to water their lawns all throughout April and May, you know it’s drier than usual.
Experts say that through May 10, it has been the driest start to the year on record at the Eugene and Salem airport weather stations, and the second driest start at Hyslop Farm in Corvallis and the Medford Airport. This is the third driest start to the year for the Portland Airport station.
“We’ve seen some pretty drastic swings from very wet to very dry over the past year,” said Oregon State University’s Kathie Dello, who is the deputy director of the Oregon Climate Service at OSU. “The whole West Coast has been abnormally dry. We’ve had some strong high pressure ridging, which means the storm track is sent to our north.
“When it does that, we get weather that generally results in hot days and cool nights,” Dello said, “and it is usually quite dry.”
The spring of 2012 – from March to May – was the fourth wettest on record statewide, and then things dried up quickly. The summer July to September period was the second driest on record. But the fall October to December period saw above-normal precipitation, before the transition to this spring’s dry conditions.
“It’s been pretty topsy-turvy,” Dello said. “On one hand, we built up a nice snowpack through November and December in the central and northern Cascades, but abnormally warm temperatures are melting that quickly.”
More than 91 percent of Oregon is considered abnormally dry for this time of year, Dello said, citing the U.S. Drought Monitor. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center shows that the odds favor the dry trend continuing into July.
“The biggest concern when that happens is warm, dry ground and early melting of snow,” Dello said. “That equates to fire danger. The National Interagency Fire Center is saying that fire season may begin weeks earlier than normal this year.
“And, of course, dry conditions are a concern for farmers, stream health and fish,” she added. “We have seen occasional bouts of cloudiness and sprinkles, but not enough to chase the overall pattern of dryness.”
For the record:
- Through May 10, the Eugene Airport has received just 6.54 inches of rain, which is 14.08 inches below normal. It is the driest on record dating back to 1940.
- The Salem Airport has had 7.65 inches of rain, driest on record back to 1928, and 9.67 inches below normal.
- The Corvallis Hyslop station has received 8.27 inches of rain, second driest on record back to 1893 and 10.59 inches below normal. The driest on record was in 2001, when it got just 7.98 inches.
- Medford Airport has received a scant 3.05 inches, which is 4.48 inches below normal in records dating back to 1928. The driest start to a year on record was in 1992 with 2.99 inches.
- Portland Airport has logged 8.3 inches of precipitation, 6.55 inches before normal and third driest since 1942. The record year was in 1985, with 6.0 inches.
Weather-lovers can learn more about Oregon weather by following Dello on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/orclimatesvc. The state is also looking for volunteers to collect precipitation data. For more information, go to http://www.cocorahs.org/.
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Media Contact: Mark Floyd Source:Kathie Dello, 541-737-8927
Occasional raindrops do little to address drying state
In the last year, Oregon has veered from very wet to very dry conditions and the start to 2013 is the driest on record in Salem and Eugene, and second driest in Corvallis and Medford.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – When Oregonians can rototill their gardens in March, but then have to water their lawns all throughout April and May, you know it’s drier than usual.
Experts say that through May 10, it has been the driest start to the year on record at the Eugene and Salem airport weather stations, and the second driest start at Hyslop Farm in Corvallis and the Medford Airport. This is the third driest start to the year for the Portland Airport station.
“We’ve seen some pretty drastic swings from very wet to very dry over the past year,” said Oregon State University’s Kathie Dello, who is the deputy director of the Oregon Climate Service at OSU. “The whole West Coast has been abnormally dry. We’ve had some strong high pressure ridging, which means the storm track is sent to our north.
“When it does that, we get weather that generally results in hot days and cool nights,” Dello said, “and it is usually quite dry.”
The spring of 2012 – from March to May – was the fourth wettest on record statewide, and then things dried up quickly. The summer July to September period was the second driest on record. But the fall October to December period saw above-normal precipitation, before the transition to this spring’s dry conditions.
“It’s been pretty topsy-turvy,” Dello said. “On one hand, we built up a nice snowpack through November and December in the central and northern Cascades, but abnormally warm temperatures are melting that quickly.”
More than 91 percent of Oregon is considered abnormally dry for this time of year, Dello said, citing the U.S. Drought Monitor. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center shows that the odds favor the dry trend continuing into July.
“The biggest concern when that happens is warm, dry ground and early melting of snow,” Dello said. “That equates to fire danger. The National Interagency Fire Center is saying that fire season may begin weeks earlier than normal this year.
“And, of course, dry conditions are a concern for farmers, stream health and fish,” she added. “We have seen occasional bouts of cloudiness and sprinkles, but not enough to chase the overall pattern of dryness.”
For the record:
- Through May 10, the Eugene Airport has received just 6.54 inches of rain, which is 14.08 inches below normal. It is the driest on record dating back to 1940.
- The Salem Airport has had 7.65 inches of rain, driest on record back to 1928, and 9.67 inches below normal.
- The Corvallis Hyslop station has received 8.27 inches of rain, second driest on record back to 1893 and 10.59 inches below normal. The driest on record was in 2001, when it got just 7.98 inches.
- Medford Airport has received a scant 3.05 inches, which is 4.48 inches below normal in records dating back to 1928. The driest start to a year on record was in 1992 with 2.99 inches.
- Portland Airport has logged 8.3 inches of precipitation, 6.55 inches before normal and third driest since 1942. The record year was in 1985, with 6.0 inches.
Weather-lovers can learn more about Oregon weather by following Dello on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/orclimatesvc. The state is also looking for volunteers to collect precipitation data. For more information, go to http://www.cocorahs.org/.
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Media Contact: Mark Floyd Source:Kathie Dello, 541-737-8927
Study traces origin of cirrus clouds primarily to mineral dust and metals
Researchers studying cirrus clouds have found the wispy trails of ice crystals form primarily on dust particles and unusual metal particles – which may be influenced by human activities.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Researchers studying the origin of cirrus clouds have found that these thin, wispy trails of ice crystals are formed primarily on dust particles and some unusual combinations of metal particles – both of which may be influenced by human activities.
The findings are important, scientists say, because cirrus clouds cover as much as one-third of the Earth and play an important role in global climate. Depending on altitude and the number and size of ice crystals, cirrus clouds can cool the planet by reflecting incoming solar radiation – or warm it by trapping outgoing heat.
However, what the net effect is, and how humans impact it, is still unclear.
Results of the study, which was funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation, were published this week in the journal Science.
“Cirrus clouds are complicated but the important message is that dust and certain metals provide the seeds for a majority of the ice crystals that form the clouds,” said Cynthia Twohy, an Oregon State University atmospheric scientist and co-author on the study. “Other particle types – including bacteria and soot from human-produced combustion or natural sources – don’t seem to contribute much to the nuclei of cirrus crystals.
“These biological particles may be important in the formation of lower altitude clouds,” added Twohy, who is a professor in OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. “But they were surprisingly absent from the particles we sampled from cirrus clouds.”
During the study, led by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the researchers conducted flight missions from 2002 to 2011 over North America and Central America at 20,000 to 50,000 feet elevation, where cirrus clouds often form. As their planes flew through the clouds, researchers captured and heated the ice crystals, which then evaporated, leaving behind a tiny kernel that they analyzed using an onboard mass spectrometer.
Despite the length of the study and its different geographic locations, the researchers found similar outcomes: About 60 percent of the cloud particles they analyzed could be traced to mineral dust blown into the atmosphere, or to metallic aerosols.
“Mineral dust can occur naturally,” Twohy said, “or it can be influenced by human activities. Certainly the major deserts like the Sahara and Gobi are enormous sources of mineral dust. But agriculture, over-grazing and climate and land-use changes can also contribute.”
Twohy said the scientists have not yet traced the origin of the dust to see how much of it came from natural versus anthropogenic causes. The metallic aerosols, she added, are unusual and may be easier to trace to specific sources. Containing elements like lead, zinc, tin and copper, they appear to be from industrial activities, according to other scientists in the study.
“As the climate warms, it is possible that we will see an expansion of desert lands, which could lead to even more dust entering the atmosphere,” Twohy said. “That could create more cirrus clouds, but what that means in terms of warming or cooling is unsure and an area for future research.”
An expert in cloud formation, Twohy has been involved in some 30 different aircraft missions over the years to understand the composition and characteristics of clouds and how they are influenced by pollution. She has studied clouds in North America, Central America, South America, Africa, the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
“At lower altitudes, clouds are known to be influenced by pollution – especially near cities,” Twohy said. “They have more droplets, they reflect more light and they rain less. The impacts of cirrus clouds on climate are much more complex. But this gives us a starting point because we now have a better understanding of the particle types and mechanisms that lead to their formation.”
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Media Contact: Mark Floyd Source:Cynthia Twohy, 541-737-5690
Multimedia Downloads Photo Download: Cirrus Clouds in the Utah Desert Photo Download: Cirrus Clouds from Thunderstorm Photo Download: Cynthia TwohyStudy traces origin of cirrus clouds primarily to mineral dust and metals
Researchers studying cirrus clouds have found the wispy trails of ice crystals form primarily on dust particles and unusual metal particles – which may be influenced by human activities.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Researchers studying the origin of cirrus clouds have found that these thin, wispy trails of ice crystals are formed primarily on dust particles and some unusual combinations of metal particles – both of which may be influenced by human activities.
The findings are important, scientists say, because cirrus clouds cover as much as one-third of the Earth and play an important role in global climate. Depending on altitude and the number and size of ice crystals, cirrus clouds can cool the planet by reflecting incoming solar radiation – or warm it by trapping outgoing heat.
However, what the net effect is, and how humans impact it, is still unclear.
Results of the study, which was funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation, were published this week in the journal Science.
“Cirrus clouds are complicated but the important message is that dust and certain metals provide the seeds for a majority of the ice crystals that form the clouds,” said Cynthia Twohy, an Oregon State University atmospheric scientist and co-author on the study. “Other particle types – including bacteria and soot from human-produced combustion or natural sources – don’t seem to contribute much to the nuclei of cirrus crystals.
“These biological particles may be important in the formation of lower altitude clouds,” added Twohy, who is a professor in OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. “But they were surprisingly absent from the particles we sampled from cirrus clouds.”
During the study, led by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the researchers conducted flight missions from 2002 to 2011 over North America and Central America at 20,000 to 50,000 feet elevation, where cirrus clouds often form. As their planes flew through the clouds, researchers captured and heated the ice crystals, which then evaporated, leaving behind a tiny kernel that they analyzed using an onboard mass spectrometer.
Despite the length of the study and its different geographic locations, the researchers found similar outcomes: About 60 percent of the cloud particles they analyzed could be traced to mineral dust blown into the atmosphere, or to metallic aerosols.
“Mineral dust can occur naturally,” Twohy said, “or it can be influenced by human activities. Certainly the major deserts like the Sahara and Gobi are enormous sources of mineral dust. But agriculture, over-grazing and climate and land-use changes can also contribute.”
Twohy said the scientists have not yet traced the origin of the dust to see how much of it came from natural versus anthropogenic causes. The metallic aerosols, she added, are unusual and may be easier to trace to specific sources. Containing elements like lead, zinc, tin and copper, they appear to be from industrial activities, according to other scientists in the study.
“As the climate warms, it is possible that we will see an expansion of desert lands, which could lead to even more dust entering the atmosphere,” Twohy said. “That could create more cirrus clouds, but what that means in terms of warming or cooling is unsure and an area for future research.”
An expert in cloud formation, Twohy has been involved in some 30 different aircraft missions over the years to understand the composition and characteristics of clouds and how they are influenced by pollution. She has studied clouds in North America, Central America, South America, Africa, the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
“At lower altitudes, clouds are known to be influenced by pollution – especially near cities,” Twohy said. “They have more droplets, they reflect more light and they rain less. The impacts of cirrus clouds on climate are much more complex. But this gives us a starting point because we now have a better understanding of the particle types and mechanisms that lead to their formation.”
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Media Contact: Mark Floyd Source:Cynthia Twohy, 541-737-5690
Multimedia Downloads Photo Download: Cirrus Clouds in the Utah Desert Photo Download: Cirrus Clouds from Thunderstorm Photo Download: Cynthia Twohy
