End of trip reflection
As our trip comes to an end, I have been spending some time reflecting on all of the wonderful things we have learned and experienced here at CEDO and out on our adventures. From neap tides and salt wedges to operculums and telson, there’s been so much to discover! There have also been wonderful friendships shared between all of us.
Learning about the marine mammals from Paloma was one of my favorites from the trip. We discussed the vaquita, which is the most endangered marine species in the world currently, with an estimated population of less than 10 individuals still living. The vaquita populations have been negatively impacted by the fishing industry, like many other species. For our presentations I did some extra diving on Antarctic krill and their role as a keystone species. I’ve loved learning about all of the species niches and special jobs that they have in the ecosystem. When we kayaked through the estuary we learned about the way the plants (producers) are a source of nutrients for the substrate and primary consumers, who then pass those nutrients up through the food chain. I thought of this while researching the krill, since the krill are the only source of nutrients for so many Antarctic species, and the krill get their nutrients from the phytoplankton and algae in the ice!
Aside from geeking out over cool biology lessons, some of the best times have been building bonds and sharing connections with each other. There have been nightly chat sessions, spooky stories, my little pony quizzes and lots of singing. We let each other nap and we wake each other up if anyone oversleeps their 17 alarms in the morning, trying to beat the ten minute warning text from Dr. C.
As much as we are all ready to go home and sleep in our own beds, there is certainly a bitter sweetness to our last night together.
~Elizabeth Elephant Seal~
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