Cutting Down the Trees--Response from hays

This topic submitted by Hays Cummins (haysc@muohio.edu) on 2/16/03. Additions were last made on Saturday, March 1, 2003. Section:

Hello,

Thanks for the proposal submission. My comments below are gentle critiques meant to help improve your proposal. So,......., without further adieu,...

My comments:

We know that the four mile creek has been deforested by humans! (see your first sentence) You might reword!

I suggest that you focus upon the sediment load of the creek (high and low water) and a few of its tributaries (Harkers Run, which is forested along a portion of its path) and Collins Run which runs through a residential neighborhood) rather than the nutrients in the sediments. Phosphates and Nitrates could easily be measured in the streams though and then compared with one another. Is their a nutrient spike after a flooding rain? Sediment load may be a direct reflection of the erosion resulting from agricultural land use. This could be nicely connected with deforestation and erosion on a global level (as you stated in your proposal). You are the first group I've reviewed that included a broader, global context in their proposal! Bravo!)

I know you have some hypotheses, but, you haven't clearly articulated them yet.

Excellent sources and annotated bibliography. The next step includes incorporating these sources into the "body of your work."

While I applaud your enthusiasm, your sampling strategy is far too aggressive! You can't possible sample every half-mile along four mile creek. Pick a few locations (see above) and work with those locations throughout the semester. You might want to, if possible, take some sediment further downstream along Four Mile Creek or even the Miami River.

The social and cultural dimensions of your study need to be better defined. Seems a little vague to me. The economics of farming, yiedls and cash value, could be researched to see how they have changed over the years.

Don't wait till April to begin your water sampling! All of your efforts need to be spread out during the course of the semester! Cuts down on the dissapointment and the impact of unforeseen sampling problems.

Whew! A fine beginning. I appreciate your efforts and I'm looking forward to a great study. I'll be happy to speak with you about your project.

Best,
Hays

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