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Introduction to Natural History

Introduction to Natural History. Master Naturalist Program University of Maryland Extension Author: Sylvan Kaufman. What is Natural History?. The study of the natural world Plants, animals, rocks, planets, weather, ….

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Introduction to Natural History

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  1. Introduction to Natural History Master Naturalist Program University of Maryland Extension Author: Sylvan Kaufman

  2. What is Natural History? • The study of the natural world • Plants, animals, rocks, planets, weather, … Illustration from Mark Catesby’s Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands

  3. Geology • The Earth’s physical structure Sideling Hill Photo by Paul Breeding, http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/features/sidel.html

  4. Formation and Structure of the Earth

  5. Movement of Continents

  6. Plate Tectonics

  7. Formation of the Appalachians http://geology.teacherfriendlyguide.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=83

  8. Types of Rocks • Igneous – from volcanic activity • Sedimentary – from erosion, deposition • Metamorphic – from heat and/or pressure

  9. Maryland’s Physiographic Provinces

  10. Geologic Time http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/geology/publications/bul/1393/images/fig59.jpg

  11. Important Events for Maryland Precambrian 3.5-1bya Paleozoic 600-230 mya Mesozoic 230-65 mya Cenozoic 65 mya - present 4.56 bya 3.5 bya 1.8bya 500 mya 230mya 65mya 50mya 35 mya 2mya 18000 ya 10000ya Formation of Earth oxygen increasing in atmosphere Pangaea forms Pangaea breaks apart Extinction of dinosaurs Chesapeake Bay bolide lands Glaciation periods, spruce forests, tundra, grasslands End of Wisconsin glaciation Chesapeake Bay forms Appalachians forming North America splits from Laurasia Humans settle eastern North America Insects, mollusks, fish, amphibians, primitive plants Dinosaurs, birds, first mammals, seed plants Mammals dominate on land one-celled organisms (not to scale)

  12. Atmosphere http://www.theozonehole.com/atmosphere.htm

  13. Climate

  14. Historic climate change Image from: http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence

  15. Recent climate change

  16. Future climate change • Warmer winters and summers • Wetter autumns and springs, drier summers • Increase in storm severity • Sea level rise

  17. Weather

  18. Maryland Watersheds

  19. Chesapeake Bay http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/monitoring/

  20. Formation of Dead Zones

  21. Native Americans in Maryland • Paleo Indians • Archaic period • Woodland Period

  22. Human Population Growth Population Year

  23. Hydrological Cycle

  24. Soils Figure from: http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_what_is

  25. Industrial Mining Mine tailings in the Savage River Image from http://ian.umces.edu/imagelibrary/displayimage-960.html Limestone quarry in Cockeysville, MD

  26. Forest Products • Building lumber • Shipping crates and pallets • Shelves and furniture • Chips for fuel pellets • Mulch • Pulp for paper http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/planning/sfla/socioeconomic.htm

  27. Wildlife – Hunting and Fishing • Deer • Black bear • Rabbits • Muskrats • Squirrels • Game birds • Waterfowl • Fish • Shellfish Image from: news.maryland.gov

  28. Loss of Habitat

  29. Skills for Naturalists • Observation • Recording • Research • Reporting Nature journal page from Margan Glover, used with permission from the author.

  30. Famous Maryland Naturalists – You could be next! Benjamin Banneker Rachel Carson Charles Wilson Peale Mary Elizabeth Banning Chandler S. Robbins

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