Jean Pierre Montagne, Senior Research Technician in the Applied Animal Ecology division at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research, lead us through an exciting afternoon of field work with native plant and animal species. During our time with Mr. Montagne, we examined traps out in the field used to collect roaming native species ranging from red diamond rattlesnakes to coast horned lizards. These traps, established in a Y shape beneath cactus and brush, are used to collect native species in order to estimate the population size of each native species within the ecosystem. By monitoring these populations, researchers within the Applied Animal Ecology division are able to document the biodiversity found in our local coastal sage scrub ecosystem. But why would documenting the biodiversity be important to the overall health of the ecosystem? Well, studying species and relationships within an ecosystem can reveal the presence of keystone species, species that other organisms depend on. If the keystone species were removed from the environment, then other population would find difficulty surviving. Mr. Montagne researches the difference between conserving a natural habitat like the local chaparral and conserving a single species. This study will help scientists monitor the impact humanity has on our local environment.

Another factor about ecosystem that Mr. Montagne explained is type conversion, when a habitat changes from one to another after a disaster. One prime example of type conversion in our own San Diego County environment is seen in the chaparral areas following the October wildfires of 2007. Various invasive plants such as mustard species have taken the place of natives, creating a completely different environment in local chaparral. It is intriguing to learn how the removal of a species or the occurrence of a natural disaster can alter an ecosystem so heavily. Just think how bizarre it would be to suddenly have to adapt to a brand new environment!

Alicia, Real World team

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