Field report from sediment coring in peat for landscape analysis in Hjaltadalur, Skagafjörður, north Iceland 2010 : Sediment drilling in Hólar, Vidvik and Kolkuós, Hjaltadalur

This field report presents fieldwork undertaken in Hjaltadalur, Skagafjördur, northern Iceland during summer 2010. The main aim was to initiate coring in selected mires in order to determine the composition of organic material and sediments in the mires, sub-sample for sedimentological and palaeoecological analyses, and initiate advanced landscape analysis of Hjaltadalur. Three mires were selected for sediments coring in Hjaltadalur: Ástunga close to Kolkóus, Hólakot at Viðvik, and Hólar. All three represented a landscape transect in NW to SE direction, from close to the coast to valley interior, i.e. close to the old settlement at Hólar.

Predator Survival Tactics and Use of Habitat Cover in Rana Catesbeiana.

Predator-prey relationships are an important aspect of the natural world, and, because of its relevance to survival and natural selection, is an interesting relationship to study. In amphibian larvae, level of activity and landscape use are often what determines the survival as prey. I studied the anti-predator behavior of the North American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles when presented with dragonfly (Aeshna) larvae, a known predator of tadpoles. Tadpoles were acclimated to four different habitats with varying degrees of habitat cover, and were transferred to a new habitat with a degree of cover equal to one of the acclimation tanks. A restrained predator, and thus its chemical cue, was introduced, and the behavior, particularly the use of the habitat cover to hide from the perceived risk of predation was observed. A significantly higher frequency of inactivity was found in tank I than in II and III, and inactivity followed a general trend of decreasing with increasing habitat cover. Difference in tank cover was not found to have a significant effect on swimming behavior, but did have a significant effect on hiding behavior, which increased with higher availability. Foraging decreased significantly with the addition of a predator, but did not vary significantly with different levels of cover. Hiding behavior and reducing conspicuous behaviors (like foraging) are probably the behaviors that afford the tadpole the most success at eluding a predator in their natural environment.

INVASIVE AQUATIC INVASION: THE SPREAD OF VARIABLE LEAF MILFOIL IN MAINE

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Sculptural abstraction of landscape

The purpose of my Senior Scholar project was to create a series of sculptures that are based on the interaction of natural forms within a selected landscape setting. I hope to convey a sense of how I view and interpret the landscape and to create works that stimulate a sense of wonder in the mind of the viewer. This fascination, perhaps even obsession, with the power of the landscape has kept me going throughout the year. As a source of ideas and imagery, the landscape can never be depleted. There will always be new combinations of landscape elements, different light conditions, and changing seasons to provide me with fresh ideas. Research for the project took me to many different places, be it my trip to Monhegan Island or driving to New York City to study the cityscape. I began the year working in steel and plaster, combining the two in works that explore the interaction between living tree roots and inanimate rocks. This led to a series entitled Landscape Recollections, comprised of welded steel forms housed in protective wooden boxes and lit from inside. After visiting New York City, architecture began to playa role in my work, as seen in the two Roadcut pieces and the Cathedral Woods series. Roadcut #1 and Roadcut #2 explore the relationship between a man-made road and the landscape that lies beneath and around it. The Cathedral Woods pieces incorporate architecture in a more abstract manner, using imagery derived from Gothic cathedrals to convey a sense of quiet peacefulness. The soaring verticality of Gothic architecture integrates with the tall tree forms in each piece, enabling me to intertwine these two elements into one another and create a harmonious relationship between architecture and nature. Throughout the year I have kept a sketchbook in which I draw from life, jot down ideas, and take notes on how the project is progressing. I have also completed several large charcoal drawings of my sculptures in which I explore different ways of viewing the steel forms. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to undertake this project, as it has been a very difficult but rewarding process of observing, interpreting, and manifesting the landscape according to my personal vision and experiences.