06.18.24 - Navigating the Wilderness: A Guide to Safe, Responsible and Ethical Fieldwork for Field Biologists Flashcards
Guide in navigating the wilderness
- Preparation and planning
- Campsite management and ethics
- Trail navigation and ethics
- Que from nature
Preparation and planning
- permits, emergency advance planning, and coordination
- logistics
- personal and fieldwork essential
- natural mound of earth created either by faulting or erosion
- “bump” in the landscape
- lower altitude and elevation, with a rounded top, often unnamed
hill
- natural mound of earth created by faulting
- steep rise in the landscape
- higher altitude and elevation, with a defined summit or peak
- often named
mountain
Parts of a mountain
- base
- peak
- slope
- crest
- summit
- turning surface of the regional topography
- relatively flat and occupies a large area corresponding to the altitude, which is usually accompanied by an obvious increase in altitude above it and valleys or plains below it
base
pointed top of a mountain; a mountain with a pointed top
peak
highest point of something, especially the top of a mountain
summit
side of a mountain, hill, or valley
slope
- refers to the highest line or edge of a mountain ridge
- essentially the peak or summit in the context of a ridge, rather than an isolated peak
crest
most rain falls in this area
windward side
less to no rain
leeward side
Different Forest Formations of the Philippines
- Tropical lowland evergreen rain forest
- Tropical lower montane rain forest
- Tropical upper montane rain forest
- Tropical subalpine forest
- Forest over limestone
- Forest over ultramafic rocks
- Beach forest
- Mangrove forest
- Peat swamp forest
- Freshwater swamp forest
- Tropical semi-evergreen rain forest
- Tropical moist deciduous forest
- most common type of rainforest
- found in areas with consistently warm temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year
- have the tallest trees and the most diverse plant and animal life of all the rainforest types.
Tropical lowland evergreen rainforest
- found at higher elevations than lowland rainforests, where the temperatures are cooler and the clouds are more frequent
- trees are shorter than in lowland rainforests, and the plant and animal life is less diverse
Tropical lower montane rainforest
- found at even higher elevations than lower montane rainforests, where the temperatures are even cooler and the humidity is very high
- trees are stunted and gnarled, and the plant and animal life is very specialized
Tropical upper montane rainforest
- found at the highest elevations in the tropics, just below the treeline
- trees are short and stunted, and the climate is cold and wet.
Tropical subalpine forest
- found on top of limestone bedrock, which is a type of rock that is made up of calcium carbonate
- soil in these forests is very thin and infertile
- plant life is adapted to these harsh conditions.
Forest over limestone
- found on top of ultramafic rocks, which are rocks that are rich in magnesium and iron
- soil in these forests is also very thin and infertile, and the plant life is adapted to these conditions.
Forest over ultramafic rocks
- found along coastlines, where they are exposed to salt spray and wind
- trees in these forests are short and stunted, and the plant life is adapted to these harsh conditions.
Beach forest
- forests are found in saltwater swamps along tropical coastlines
- trees in these forests have adapted to the salty water by excreting salt through their leaves.
Mangrove forest
- forests are found in areas with poor drainage, where waterlogged conditions have led to the accumulation of peat moss
- trees in these forests are adapted to the acidic and nutrient-poor conditions.
Peat swamp forest
- forests are found in areas with poor drainage, where freshwater accumulates
- trees in these forests are adapted to the wet conditions.
Freshwater swamp forest
- rainforests have a dry season that lasts for a few months each year
- During the dry season, some of the trees lose their leaves.
Tropical semi-evergreen rain forest
- forests have a dry season that lasts for several months each year
- During the dry season, most of the trees lose their leaves.
Tropical moist deciduous forest
Layers of the Rainforest
- emergent layer
- canopy layer
- understory layer
- forest floor
- consists of the tallest trees, some birds, and insects
- no animals live here
emergent layer
thickest layer that hosts most flora and fauna
canopy layer
consists of young herbs, shurbs, and bushes
understory layer
darkest, humid layer that hosts insects and giant animals
forest floor
Points to consider when planning a fieldwork
- getting in
- getting out
- permit, fees, equipment, etc.
refers to any strategy that is used to map out what you or somebody else is going to eat on a particular day, week, or month
meal plan
Checklist of Items
- essentials
- clothing and sleeping gear
- mess kit
- survival kit or emergency rations
- first aid kit
- repair kit
- toiletries
- group equipment
- optional items
- size depends on how much kit you have to carry
- make sure that it’s sturdy, padded and distributes weight comfortably if you are going to be using it extensively
day pack
you can keep snacks in them, use them to keep your phone/camera dry, seal waste, and so on
ziplock bags
Tip in the amount of clothing to bring
of days + 1
should be able to provide protection against elements
outdoor clothing
what type of equipment is discouraged to wear or bring
military-issued equipment
- process of wearing several thin layers of clothing to help regulate the heat around your body that is better than wearing one thick layer
- works by heating the “dead” air spaces around your body, thus creating better insulation
layering
Clothing layers
- base layer
- insulating layer
- outer layer
wicks sweat off your skin
base layer (underwear layer)
retains body heat to protect you from the cold
insulating layer
shields you from wind and rain
outer layer (shell layer)
collection of silverware and cookware designed for use by military personnel for food and military rations
mess kit
- should be put into a compact and waterproof container which can be carried by the person during short hikes without a backpack
- usually placed in a pack’s top compartment for easy access and portability
survival kit/ emergency ration
Survival kit/ emergency ration contents
- extra trail food
- waterproofed matches
- plastic tarp
- surgical rubber tube
- signal mirror
Essential supplies in first aid kits
- personal medicine
- triangular or elastic bandages
- forceps
- medication for fever and diarrhea
- anti-allergies
- medication for skin irritation and other illnesses
- alcohol or betadine
- insect repellent
- disinfectant
Repair Kit contents
- tying string
- duct tape
- tent seam sealer
- extra buckle
- needle and nylon string, etc.
articles used in washing and taking care of one’s body, such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.
toiletries
Parts of tent
- poles
- tent body
- flysheet
- pegs
- tent sack
- structural supports of the tent
- are typically made of lightweight, strong materials like aluminum or fiberglass and come in various lengths and sections depending on the tent design
- used to create the tent’s framework and provide stability
Poles
- main living area of the tent
- made of waterproof fabric, often polyester or nylon with a polyurethane (PU) coating, to keep you dry from rain
- typically has walls, a floor, and a door opening for entry and exit
Tent body
- secondary layer of fabric that goes over the tent body
- typically made of waterproof material similar to the tent body but can be lighter or made of a different fabric depending on the tent’s design
- Provide additional protection from rain and wind.
- Increase weather resistance and potentially offer shade or sun protection
Flysheet
- also sometimes called stakes or anchors.
- are typically made of metal (aluminum or steel) or plastic and are used to secure the tent to the ground
- are pushed or hammered into the ground, and the tent’s guy lines (ropes) are attached to them to provide stability and tension against wind and rain.
Pegs
- a carrying bag specifically designed to hold your tent. - usually made of durable fabric like nylon or polyester and often has drawstrings or straps for closure
- protects your tent from damage during transport and storage
Tent sack
- Protects the tent floor from abrasion, punctures, and moisture.
- improves comfort and insulation
- can provide a barrier against cold and damp ground, making your sleeping experience more comfortable.
- Makes cleaning easier. Dirt and debris tend to stick to it rather than the tent floor, making cleanup simpler.
groundsheet
- like strong ropes for your tent.
- anchor the tent outwards and downwards, like pulling on the corners of a blanket
- makes the tent more stable in wind and keeps the rain fly taut so water runs off easily.
Guy lines
- It’s like a little porch for your tent, created by an extension of the flysheet or rainfly.
- provides extra sheltered space for storing gear like backpacks or muddy boots outside the main tent, keeping the inside clean and organized.
- Some can even offer a protected area for cooking (with proper ventilation) or changing out of wet clothes during bad weather.
vestibules
Types of backpack
- No frame pack
- Internal frame pack
- External frame pack
- lightweight
- non-bulky design
- less support for heavy loads
- less capacity
No frame pack
- more support for heavy loads
- more capacity
- hugs body
- less back ventilation
- heavier
Internal frame pack
- maximum support for heavy loads
- more capacity
- more ventilation
- heavier
- bulkier
External frame pack
