Disrupting Cycles

Climate directly influences the actions of various species, Yellow Warblers, Whitetail Deer, humans.  We all depend on patterns to influence our behaviors and interactions.  Yellow Warblers raise their young during the spring, the climate dictating to them when to mate, lay eggs, find food and hatch.  As the climate changes in manners that are difficult to predict, we are left to adapt to new circumstances.  

Heidi, from the Intermountain Bird Observatory, integrated the patterns of climate and bird cycles together by explaining the causation between rising temperature and precipitation peaks to the migratory patterns of species through Idaho.  "Some species are able to adapt, while others have trouble with new trends and patterns," Heidi informed us.  Amongst the bagging of birds and scribbling of statistics, she was able to sharply respond to questions about big data analysis, migratory patterns and bird biochemistry.  This young lady clearly has a vision about her work and is driven to educate.  

The old natural measure of toxicity is the "canary in the coal mine."  For this purpose, our measure will be "the birds of Boise."  Thus far, migratory paths for birds of prey and songbirds have been shifted due to changing precipitation levels and crop harvest times.  The irrigated Treasure Valley and richness of the foothills is a welcome rest stop for birds along their path from Mexico to Canada.  If we continue to overlook climate change then these raptors will need to alter their path to unknown consequences.  The "birds of Boise" have travelled migration pathways for thousands of years, we must analyze their reactions to shifting conditions to understand disrupting cycles.