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Who is Anna Belle?
After graduating from Agnes Scott College (B.A.), and Emory University
(M.A.T.) Joe and I married. We have two children and two grandchildren.
I have taught high school biology since 1964. Among my hobbies are playing
the piano, hiking, and china painting. I also enjoy being the scorebook
keeper for Joe's Men's Senior Baseball League Over-40 team. I am a biology
teacher and a life-time learner. Most summers for me include a course in
marine biology or environmental science as well as catching up on reading
light historical novels. I am an active member of Georgia Association of
Marine Educators, Georgia Science Teachers Association.
As a member of a team of teachers from Dekalb County, GA, I came to
Costa Rica to study the Rain Forest. I really appreciate the opportunity
to visit the beautiful land of contrasts and biodiversity. Students really
do enjoy hearing of unusual places and events from someone with firsthand
experience and knowledge. If you would like to investigate the possibilities
of having a similar experience, try these links.
Volcan Poas
The following is a summary of the reflections of our Expedition Team
#2 for July 16, 1999.
The excitement of seeing all new things for our ‘life time list’ captured
us as we passed the patchwork of coffee plantations on the steep slopes
of the San Jose Valley. Can you recognize mangoes, hibiscus, black cedar,
cecropia, coffee, or Gunera? The forest is full of house plants.
The bus labored as it lumbered up the slope, laden with teachers, experts,
and a really good bag lunch. As the temperature dropped from the 80’s our
climb up the grade accentuated the anticipation of seeing the Poas Volcano
(the first time for some). We were most impressed by the white billows
blowing across the crater and the huge cinder cone holding an exquisite
turquoise lake. The acrid scent of sulfur wafted about our faces as we
snapped pictures while leaning into the wind. During the trip experts shared
by answering questions on subjects from geology to bird behavior. Now as
we reflect on the experience, we have come to the realization that keeping
track of every species would be impossible. Sensory overload was remedied
by choosing to keep track only of special things of personal interest.
The incredible day was an excellent way to start our outdoor expedition
in Cost Rica. We have an increased awareness of the awesome forces
of nature as well as the interrelatedness of all members of the world wide
ecosystem.
La Selva Biological Station
My expectations ran high as I arrived at the La Selva. After the initial orientation we had a tramp through the forest trails. What organism looks like a good research topic? My senses are sharpened by the expectations that we would be here 6 days in which to consume and to research some special unknown under the tutoring of a scientist presently working on a research project. The subject was Atta and Cecropia interaction.
I saw many animals and plants which were known only in picture books. Too many things to take in and at the same time do research. Among the really interesting sights were fer da lance, tree iguanas, wedding veil fungus, toucans, and Cariolia brevicauda (bat), and spider monkeys.
The field trips included a banana plantation, elementary school and high school in Puerto Viejo, and some went on a tram ride to see the canopy from above.
Las Cruces Wilson Botanical Garden
This area is montane rain forest. It has been lovingly restored from deforestation and pasture. Since the Wilson's were horticulturists and naturalists they put plants in the garden which attract many species, especially birds of all sorts. Peaceful and relaxing to sit in the garden and watch birds.
The river trail leads one through the interesting area of pastureland and forest as you travel down to the river. Many lowland species occur here as well. Since the Heliconia was there and we wanted to see if human activity impacted the area, my lab group decided to study the bract water found in Heliconia there, in the garden, on the roadside and in an agrarian setting. Click here to read more about our project.
Palo Verde
'Home on the range' could have been the theme song for me here. The climate is much like the warm, humid south Georgia of my childhood. The major crop of the region is rice. Prior to these the fields had been pastures for beef cattle. Of course, the land was not always a pasture. Dry tropical forests and lagoons were trampled by cattle, changing the landscape. Many areas have the introduced African blue-stem grass. Where cattle no longer range you would expect to see the succession of forest trees. Fires have become a severe problem, since the trees are not adapted to this ecological event. Some experimentation has shown that reintroducing cattle can actually help keep the grass under control, while allowing the natural succession of the secondary forest.
Our lab group decided to investigate the biodiversity of tbe macro-invertebrates of a rice field and a reference wetland. Probably one of the biggest highlights of this station visit was the morning spent watching the howler monkeys. We were able to see a troop of 20 near the classroom building. Later, we saw white faced troup while we were horseback riding. Birds were most abundant at the rice fields. We saw wood storks, herons, jabiru, roseate spoonbill, and many other birds.
It will be difficult to say goodbye, so I'll say as the Ticos say: "Pura
vida".
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