Traveling ‘light’

While the real fun takes place in the field, these field efforts end up being a relatively small (yet important) component of ecological research. By the time that researchers get to their field site often many months of preparation have taken place. Time is spent thinking about research questions and coming up with hypotheses and predictions stemming from these. Then methods are outlined that could provide the data necessary to answer these questions. Often at this point a researcher applies to a diverse array of funding sources to try and secure the finances necessary to conduct the research. These are typically very competitive so many project ideas will go unfunded. Provided a way is found to carry out the research then the detailed logistics of field preparation need to be undertaken. This can often be additional week/months of effort to insure that time in the field can be spent as efficiently as possible.

Detailed lists need to be prepared in advance, equipment ordered and then everything double or triple checked to insure that nothing key is missing. For example, last year we had 9 large trunks of field equipment (>600lbs!) that we took to the field. This involved equipment for essentially 4 different project questions. Many items are critical supplies that were unavailable in Costa Rica and without them the work could not be accomplished. (Amazingly we fit all this and four of us into a Nissan pathfinder –Although a lot was strapped to the roof).

Ready to leave PDX

This year we were travelling relatively light compared to last year, but as you can see from the attached photo we still had a lot of stuff!

Pushing through San Jose Airport

We brought bicycles to help with transportation to some of the closer sample sites and explore areas where the truck doesn’t go as easily. Matt’s whole family is also coming down this year so we have three ‘field technicians in training’ or small agents of chaos to ‘help out.’ We have now arrived successfully with all of our equipment in tack. So far we have not forgotten anything critical!

-Dr. Adam Hadley