Biodiversity and Watershed Stewardship in Elkhorn Slough

Genus, Enhydra Domain: Eukaryota - Organisms whose cells have a membrane-bound nucleus (“Eukaryote” 2024).  Kingdom: Animalia - Animals are eukaryotic, multicellular, and heterotrophic (“Animal” 2024). Phylum: Chordata - All chordates possess five physical characteristics that distinguish them from other taxa including a notochord, a hollow dorsal nerve cord, and endostyle or thyroid, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail (“Chordate” 2024). Class: Mammalia -Mammals have milk-producing mammary glands, a neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three middle ear bones (“Mammal” 2024). Order: Carnivora - Carnivores typically have large, sharp teeth and powerful jaws and prey on other animals (“Carnivora” 2024). Suborder: Caniformia - Most members of Caniformia have nonretractile claws (except the fisher, marten, sea otter, red panda, and ringtail) and tend to be plantigrade. They also have longer jaws and more teeth and tend more towards omnivory and opportunistic feeding (“” 2...

 Automated Remote Biodiversity Monitoring Network (ARBIMON)      ARBIMON uses machine learning to analyze field recordings that a researcher may collect. The researcher first uploads recordings, manually identifies some sounds or calls from that recording, and ARBIMON will then learn and identify the other sounds in the recording. ARBIMON. (2024). AI empowered biodiversity research & conservation action. ARBIMON . https://arbimon.org/ Animal Tracker App           An app created by the International Cooperation for Anmal Research Using Space (Icarus) to study migratory routes, behaviors, and infectious disease spread as a means of species protection. Citizen scientists can make observations and upload photos. Max-Planck-Gesellschaft. (2024). Animal Tracker App . Icarus . https://www.icarus.mpg.de/29143/animal-tracker-app

 

 

  🪴 Web Soil Survey 🪴   My Area of Interest : I found that the easiest way to define the Elkhorn Slough Reserve area was to use the “Define AOI by Rectangle” button. This way I could select the entire Slough plus a little of the surrounding area.  Soil Map:   The soil map was really cool! The menu on the left tells you the type of soil, how many acres there are of that type of soil, and what percent of your area of interest has that type of soil in it.  Soil Data Explorer:   The Soil Data Explorer tab allows you to see what uses your area of interest has, soil quality, ecological sites, and soil reports.  My Experience: I found the Web Soil Survey was rather user-friendly and easy to navigate. I think the information that I obtained is very useful for understanding the ecosystem as a whole. I saved a map and some data for future use and reference.

🌧 Climate and Weather Information for Elkhorn Slough 🌧 Elkhorn Slough Historical Ecology : This resource looks at historical documents to better understand what the habitat and climate was like in the area in the past. It shows how the Slough has changed over time and the different people who have occupied and utilized the land throughout time.  Elkhorn Slough Foundation. (2024). Historical Ecology . Elkhorn Slough. https://elkhornslough.org/reserve/stewardship/historical-ecology/   Water and Weather Monitoring : This Elkhorn Slough Reserve closely monitors water quality and weather in the Slough and releases that data to the public. Elkhorn Slough is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System which monitors water and weather in 30 different estuaries across the U.S. Follow the link to find water quality, air quality, and weather data. Elkhorn Slough Foundation. (2024). Water and Weather Monitoring . Elkhorn Slough. https://elkhornslough.org/reserve/research/wate...