Earth Gauge: Earth Science Week

October 9-15 is Earth Science Week (www.earthsciweek.org). Every year, Earth Science Week encourages students and the public to explore the natural world around them and learn about the geosciences. This year’s theme is Our Ever-Changing Earth. Humans depend on the Earth for many resources – air, water, food, fuel, trees, metals – but we often forget about one of the most important natural resources: soil!  Just like water and air, soil is an important and limited resource. Consider this:

• 75 percent of the Earth is covered in water – oceans, lakes, rivers and streams.
• 25 percent is dry land area, but half of that is desert, swamp, polar and mountainous regions where conditions are too hot, too cold or too high in elevation to be productive.
• Of the remaining area – about 12 percent- nine percent is too flood-prone, too poor-quality or too hot for food production. The remaining three percent represents the area of Earth developed by humans. Just a small fraction of this area is made up of soil that we depend on for food and other uses.

Viewer Tip: Scientists estimate that we are losing soils 10 to 40 times faster than they can be replaced – 60 percent of soils are washed into our rivers, streams and lakes where they can decrease channel depth, increase potential for flooding and smother aquatic wildlife habitat. You can help control erosion at home by using mulch to cover garden beds and other areas of exposed soil. Planting ground-cover plants or small shrubs will also help stabilize soil.

Observing Fall

As leaves begin to change color this fall, scientists are studying how trees and forests are affected by weather and climate conditions. Weather and climate conditions impact when leaves emerge, how much foliage grows, and when leaves begin to fall. The timing of these events as they relate to climate is called “phenology.” For example, a dry summer and early fall can speed-up color change and leaves may fall earlier than usual. A wet early fall may produce less vivid leaf colors and leaves may fall early because of rain and wind storms. Other environmental factors, like damage from insects or wildfire, can also impact tree foliage.

Viewer Tip: You can help scientists study phenology by tracking the timing of leaf emergence, leaf drop and other life-cycle events in your own backyard. Visit the USA National Phenology Network at www.usanpn.org/participate/observe to learn how to observe plants and animals at home and share your data.

Earth Gauge: Be Penny-Wise and Water Smart

Weather-based irrigation controllers can easily save 25 percent or more of the water applied to your landscape.  The arrival of fall means cooler temperatures and the onset of rain, and typically gardens and landscapes need to be watered less frequently, if at all.  A weather-based irrigation controller equipped with a rain sensor will prevent your irrigation system from turning on when it rains or has recently rained.

Viewer Tip: Try using weather-based controllers, which can save water by sensing changes in the environment, like rainfall and soil moisture. These devices will automatically adjust the amount of water applied to your landscape to prevent overwatering.

For more information on smart irrigation controllers, visit www.epa.gov/WaterSense/products/controltech.html and www.a4we.org/Smart_Irrigation_Controllers_Introduction.aspx.

 

This information is brought to you by the Water Conservation Garden. Learn more at www.thegarden.org.

Earth Gauge: Don’t Labor to Save Water

The average household spends as much as $650 per year on its water and sewer bill. But did you know you could save about $200 per year by retrofitting with water-efficient fixtures and incorporating water-saving practices?

Viewer Tip: Looking for a little home improvement project this Labor Day weekend? Making some simple changes around the house can save water and money.  Just check, twist and replace.

 

• Check toilets for leaks.
• Twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
• Replace an old, water-hogging showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model.

 

Visit www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/simple_steps.html for additional water-saving tips.

 

This information is provided by the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense Program. Learn more at www.epa.gov/watersense.

Earth Gauge: Cool Efficiently

When the temperature goes up outside, so does the demand for energy for cooling. Research shows that for every one degree Fahrenheit increase in outdoor air temperatures, demand for energy increases by 1.5 to two percent! Rising energy use can lead to an increase in air pollutant emissions, which impact human health and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog.

Viewer Tip: As the temperature rises, give these tips a try to save energy at home while staying cool.

· Bump the thermostat up to 78 degrees when no one is home. For each degree you raise the thermostat, you’ll save three to five percent on air conditioning costs. Close shades and curtains during the day to keep the heat out.

· Run a ceiling fan to create a breeze. Raising the thermostat by just two degrees and using a ceiling fan can reduce cooling costs by up to 14 percent! Remember that fans only cool people – turn them off when you leave a room.

· If you are purchasing a room air conditioner, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star qualified models use at least ten percent less energy than standard models.

Earth Gauge: Floods and Fires

Heavy rains can cause flash flooding quickly and without warning. Flash flooding may occur below burn scars from recent wildfires – just a short burst of moderate rainfall can lead to floods and debris flows in these areas. Water running over burned areas can pick up ash, dirt, large rocks and loose vegetation. Rushing water and debris can be powerful enough to damage or destroy culverts, bridges, roadways and other structures.

Viewer Tip: With rain in the forecast, keep your eyes peeled for signs of flooding. Never drive through flooded roadways or bridges and do not attempt to cross flood waters on foot. Stay away from arroyos, river and stream beds, and low-lying areas that may flood easily.

Earth Gauge: Protect Local Plants

A study by the New York Botanical Garden found that 50 species of native plants have disappeared from that metro area in the past century. In California, a 2008 study by the University of California-Berkeley and Duke University found that two-thirds of the state’s native plants will lose most of their range in the future. Globally, more than half of the top candidates to be considered endangered species are plants. Threats to native plants include habitat destruction and competition for resources by aggressive, non-native plants introduced from elsewhere. Homeowners can make a difference by planting native plants in their yards.

Viewer Tip: According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, native plants are critical for the survival of wildlife. As you begin to plan your spring garden, think native! Visit www.wildflower.org to find lists of plants that are native to your region and will grow well under local weather conditions. This information is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Learn more at www.wildflower.org.

Earth Gauge: Winter Potholes

Have you ever wondered why potholes appear on roadways during the winter months? Water from melting snow and ice seeps into pavement and the sub-material between pavement and soil below. When repeated spells of cold weather occur, the water in the pavement refreezes and expands, breaking up the pavement at and below the road surface. When the ice melts again, the resulting gaps inside the pavement and moisture soften the asphalt. The damaged asphalt cannot support the weight of cars – as more vehicles pass over the weakened spot, pieces of pavement get broken away, leaving behind a hole.

Viewer Tip: In most areas, you can report potholes to the city streets department or the state transportation department for repair. If you hit a pothole in your vehicle and notice steering problems, low tire pressure or visible bulges or blisters on your tires, it is a good idea to have a professional check your vehicle for damage and make any necessary repairs.

Earth Gauge: Plan for a Sustainable Spring

From the folks at Earth Gauge:

Although many Americans turn off unused lights and take other energy-saving approaches inside their homes, fewer use energy or water-saving approaches in their yards and gardens. A 2008 online survey conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Society of Landscape Architects found that only 23 percent of respondents used rakes and other manual options for yard care, only 15 percent harvested rainwater or used recycled water for plant care and 11 percent used drip irrigation.

Viewer Tip: Winter is a great time to plan for spring gardening! The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center recommends considering steps you can set into motion now so that when spring arrives you will save money and help the planet.

·         Look for discounted prices on rakes, clippers and other manual gardening tools while they are off-season.

·         Consider what it would take to install an in-ground watering system, which often comes with a timer that allows you to save time by not having to babysit hoses and lowers your water bill.

·         Also investigate whether your municipality sells rain barrels or review options sold online. Your house could also be outfitted to harvest water in a cistern. Click HERE to learn more about this approach to rainwater harvesting,

This information is provided by The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Learn more at www.wildflower.org.

Earth Gauge: 2010 Christmas Bird Count

December 14 marks the beginning of Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count. The Count runs through January 5, 2011. The first Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on December 25, 1900 – 27 participants counted and identified about 18,500 birds, mostly in the northeastern U.S. Today, CBC volunteers brave snow and chilly temperatures to identify and count birds throughout the 50 states and in Canada. Last year, over 2100 counts were completed and 59.9 million birds were reported! CBC data helps researchers understand how bird populations have changed over the past century. Forty years’ worth of observation data from the CBC show that 58 percent of North American bird species seen in the first few weeks of winter have shifted their ranges north. Sixty species have moved over 100 miles north – the wild turkey has moved a whopping 400 miles!

Viewer Tip: Anyone can participate in the Christmas Bird Count. CBC takes place in “count circles” that focus on specific geographic areas. Every circle has a leader, so even if you are a beginner birdwatcher, you’ll be able to count birds with an experienced birder and contribute data to the longest-running wildlife census. If your home happens to be within the boundaries of a count circle, you can count the birds that visit your backyard feeder.