This is Harder Than I Thought.
Liz Arps, Clay Graham, and Matt Young
Field Biology is inherently difficult. The biologist has to contend with perturbances such as weather, swarming insects, elusive subjects, and often, intrusive humans. Even the most experienced have issues with these universal problems. Most field biologists have the luxury learning the details of the region beforehand, staying in the same location for a prolonged period of time, and they typically have a specific objective in mind. As the three of us travel to each biome, our experiences are considerably more complex than the average natural historian. Not only are most of us lacking experience in the field, but we also have to contend with varying cultures, the mental and physical costs of travel, and taking observations on a limited time scale. Somewhere, between taking observations and the difficulties of travel, we must find a balance in order to acquire both personal growth, and duly note observations on climate change.
During his journey, Alexander Von Humboldt was able to experience and gain an appreciation for a wide array of cultures. Although Von Humboldt was considerably progressive in his views of marginalized cultures, he never fully immersed himself in indigenous ways of life. Due to globalization and our reliance upon technology, we are unable to fully lose ourselves without remembering relicts of home. It is much more difficult for us to understand aspects of other people, without living with them for a prolonged period of time. We are, however, able to gain a better appreciation for other societies by observing from an existential bias. With the ability to step back and gain perspective, a host of issues from language barriers to cultural differences become mitigated if not nullified.
The golden Buddha at the temple of the reclining Buddha in Bangkok Thailand.
Photo by Matthew Young
As the sun broke over the canopy of the jungle, we followed our Thai-speaking guide towards the trailhead. No one knew how long or far the hike would span. Quickly, the guide moved down the trail, leaving little time to take observations or look for fauna. Most of our heads were glued to the ground, taking much care in the placement of our feet between the roots and rocks. The fast pace and uneven terrain made it very difficult to observe and document our surroundings. The day began to heat up quickly and the priority of taking observations quickly shifted to finishing the next leg of the hike. With the added weight and bulkiness of our field notebooks, we wrongly packed them away telling ourselves that we would remember anecdotes from our hike. In comparison to classical naturalists such as Von Humboldt and Bonpland’s rigorous note taking and precise measurements our lack of discipline was regrettable.
Photograph in the jungle of Thailand.
Photo by Liz Arps
The revolutionary scientists of the nineteenth century were able to form patterns of observations due to their dedication to precision and accuracy in all aspects of measurement. In addition to gathering specimens, Von Humboldt also took notes on pressure, temperature, altitude, and a host of other data whenever possible. Even without leaving his home, Gauss was able to observe to discover more about the earth and the cosmos than most scientists of his time. Thinking in retrospect, the problem with taking observations during a guided hike was that we were not receptive enough to remember details completely. We either need to be hyper-aware or take notes on a continuous basis if we hope to ever attain worthwhile data. Although this is typically true, there is an element of luck that helps provide anecdotal data and can give the most amateur of naturalists bragging rights.
