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Catalina Field StudyChristian SieckSt. Mary’s School7 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

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Out l ine• Living Organisms or

Their Remains• Flora• Natural Phenomena• Science Attitudes in

Catalina• Summary• Works Cited

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Living Organisms or Their Remains: American Bison (Bison bison)The American Bison was introduced to Catalina Island to film a movie, then left there. The American Bison has horns, that, unlike the buffalo, grow straight out of its head. Also, a bison will charge you if you enrage it enough.

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Living Organisms or their Remains: Western Gull (Lorus Occidentalis)The Western Gull is an aerialist bird that has an unique red spot at the bottom of their beak that chicks peck at when they are hungry. The birds are also nicknamed, “the garbage men of the sea”, because they eat almost everything.

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Living Organisms or Their Remains: Catalina Island Fox(Urocyon littoralis catalinae)

The Catalina Island Fox is a nocturnal animal and is endemic to Catalina. This unique species has inhabited the Island for over 4,000 years. The Fox almost went extinct because cars were hitting them because the cars were going too fast and also because of disease. In response, Catalina Island Conservancy made the speed limit 30 mph and vaccinated all the foxes.

Picture Courtesy of Zarak Dhillion.

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Catalina Flora:Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus Cinerea)The Eucalyptus tree is invasive to Catalina Island. The trees have huge roots that kill surrounding plants. The settlers that came to this island brought Eucalyptus seeds to Catalina to grow for firewood, but it so happens that Eucalyptus wood is very hard to burn.

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Catalina Flora:Prickly Pear (Optunia Ficus-Indica)Prickly Pear, or more commonly known as cactus, is a plant that lives in almost all conditions. It has little “pears”, that are very sharp and hold water that can help it in future droughts. The sharp pods can also be harvested and eaten.

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Catalina Flora:California Fan Palm (Washingtonia Fulifera)

The California Fan Palm is evergreen with a short trunk that is partially underground. Smaller palm trees like this one can be easily mistaken for the yucca.

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Natural Phenomena:Tides Tides happen because the moon’s gravitational pull is attracting the tides. There are two types of tides, spring and neap tides. When it is a new or full moon, it is a spring tide, which is also known as high tide. When it is a half moon, there are neap tides, which are low tides.

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Natural Phenomena:SunriseThe Sun does not actually rise; the Earth just spins into visibility of it and only part of the Earth is being illuminated. You see the Sun on the horizon when you are at an about 1800 from it. So the Sun is actually always in the same spot.

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Natural Phenomena:PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis happens when a plant takes in CO2 , then makes it into oxygen for us to breathe. Then we breathe the oxygen and exhale CO2 that the plants use to make oxygen. Almost all plants use photosynthesis, but kelp makes 80% of the oxygen we breathe.

Photo Courtesy of Colin Ballantine.

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Science Attitudes In Catalina:Safety in Science (Safe and skillful use of materials and techniques)These kayakers are wearing life vests to keep them afloat if they fall out of the kayak. Also, they stay away from each other so they don’t tip others over. Rudy is wearing a beanie, which keeps him warm and helps him not catch a cold.

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Science Attitudes in Catalina:Reflecting on the Day (Scientific investigation)

Colin is reflecting on what he did today by taking notes to remember what he saw and learned. This could help him on his PowerPoint because he could remember key knowledge to use at a later time.

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Science Attitudes in Catalina:Paying Attention to the Instructor (Respect for others)Brady is paying close attention to Seahawk, our instructor, which could help him learn the information that he may need for school or just to be a better person. Also, if there were instructions given for an activity, he would know what to do and not be left out and avoid getting extra K.P. duty.

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SummaryThere were interesting plants, animals, phenomena and great students all over Emerald Bay. All of the animals and plants of Catalina Island, native, endemic or intrusive, had their own way of living. If we had not been taught about the natural phenomena in Catalina, it would have seemed like magic. And there were many example-setting kids that showed what a great scientist is.

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Works Cited“Animal Species”. CatalinaConservancy.org. Catalina Island

Conservancy. 2009. Web. 3 March 2012. http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/index.php?s=wildlife&p=animalspecies.Bird Lab. Sea star. 19 March 2012. Buckley, Don. Interactive Science, Earth’s surface. U.S: Pearson

Education Inc., 2011. Print.Catalina Island Conservancy. Mr. Zaneli. 20 March 2012.Kelp Lab. Sea Star. Milfaud, Stephan. “Melta Wild Plants.” Meltawildplants.com. N.p.

2011.Web. 29 March 2012. <www.meltawildplants.com>. Night Hike. Turtle. 21 March 2012.