Rachael Natoli                                                                                                  10/30/16

INTD 105-19: Scientific Writing                                         About 170 Words

In “Whisper of the Wild”, Kim Tingley wrote about her experience with soundscape ecology in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. She wrote about the influence that man made sound, specifically the disturbances of planes, has had on many species of animals. Although many of the species can adjust the noises they make so they can be heard, the problem is that man made noise makes it difficult for species to hear noises around them that could cause harm. Tingley wrote about her experience with a sound station she helped to set up in Denali that was used to detect the soundscape in the middle of winter.

This experience of being in the completely silent Alaskan winter seemed to really affect Tingley’s perspective on man made sound and also seemed to be something that interested her. If I were to create an experience similar to this I would want it to be related to the effects of pollution on the environment because it is an issue that I am very interested in.

Patrick Jones                                                               Approximately 150 Words

pwj2@geneseo.edu

INTD 105-19

October 31, 2016

“Whisper of the Wild” Summary and Analysis

In her piece, “Whisper of the Wild”, Kim Tingley describes her expedition deep into Denali National Park in Alaska. Tingley joined Davyd Betchkal, the physical-science technician of Denali National Park, in an attempt to record the natural sounds of the area without human interference. Betchkal is one of many who believe humans are polluting nature with our constant noise. Studies have shown that many species of birds, including the great tit, have altered their songs as a result of living near humans. Many other species have not been able to adapt and are struggling to survive in such a loud world. Betchkal hopes to record the sound of nature to help preserve and protect it as we continue to grow louder.

While reading this piece, I was enthralled by Tingley’s discussion of the effect of sonar on porpoises. My family owns a small cottage on Seneca Lake, the location of a sonar test facility for the military. I’d be interested in researching more about the sound pollution this military base produces and its effect on the wildlife I’ve interacted with.

Alexis Baer                                                                                       about 150 words
anb8@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19: Writing Science

“Whisper of the Wild” Response
By Alexis Baer

“Whisper of the Wild” by Kim Tingley is about listening to our surroundings and experiencing nature in Denali National Park. Within todays society, it is very difficult to only hear the sounds of nature considering the constant human interference with machines, aircrafts, and other advanced technology that we have become used to. Since it is hard to know what nature is suppose to sound like, ecologists and engineers have created soundscape ecology which is being tested on what these sounds are and how it negatively can affect the population or different species. Soundscape was one of the reasons that Tingley and Davyd Betchka’s decided to traveled to Alaska, in order to listen and observe the natural sounds that nature has to offer. Tingley’s article about soundscape is similar to my one of my own personal experiences where I camped out in the middle of the woods for a few days and based off only aural senses, I had to identify different animals based on their individual sounds.

Mike Emanuele    10/30/16

me12@geneseo.edu    150 words

INTD-105 Science Writing

In “Whisper of the Wild,” Kim Tingley shares her experiences in Denali national park in Alaska and her research on the sounds found there. Most would assume that the sounds made in a park are mostly made up of the chirping of birds, croaking of frogs, or flowing of streams. However, Tingley’s research shows that most sound actually comes from humans. Whether it be the tourists or the airplanes, humans apparently cause the most sound in these natural habitats. Surprisingly, The amount of noise made seems to be an annoyance and can be considered pollution to the area. For example, a songbirds need to shift their calls to a higher frequency in cities because it would not be heard otherwise. This means that human noise is affecting the reproduction of a species. Animals cannot function properly with the amount of noise interference caused by humans. Personally I had no idea that humans could pollute nature, even with sound. This brings awareness to the fact that pollute more than they think.  

Will Gerber

wrg1@geneseo.edu

INTD: Science Writing

“Whisper of the Wild” Synopsis

By: Will Gerber

In her article “Whisper of the Wild”, Kim Tingley details her experience collecting the sounds of the natural world in Denali National Park, Alaska. She discusses how human made noise disrupts animals’ lifestyles by disturbing their circadian rhythms and blocking out the sound of predators and prey. By recording the sounds of the natural world, soundscape ecologists hope to develop an understanding of what the world should sound like, the first step in fixing the problem.

 This article was eye opening for me as I never understood how sound pollution actually worked, much less how alarming it is. The next time I am out in nature, I will be sure to listen for human sounds.

Jason Gerbsch                                                             Approximately 200 words

jg33@geneseo.edu

INTD 105: Scientific Writing

In her article “Whisper of the Wild,” Kim Tingley joins Davyd Betchkal, a sound catcher, in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska.  Davyd’s goal is to collect, record, and interpret data on an endangered and highly important resource, natural sound.  Human noise pollution has expanded more and more over time, disrupting and even overpowering the ambiance of nature.  In doing so, we have altered the balance of ecosystems and even the course of evolution, as those species who cannot adapt to the intrusion of artificial noise will struggle to survive and even die out.

This article brings up a rather crucial topic that does not seem to get the attention it deserves.  We may not think that the sounds of civilization affect the natural environment in the ways that oil spills or illegal dumping of sewage or chemicals do because the effects of noise pollution on nature aren’t immediately noticeable.  However, according to Betchkal, our interference with the sound of the Earth is very detrimental; disrupting ecosystems, altering the course of evolution, even throwing off the balance of survival by causing predators and prey not being able to hear the other, for example.

Erik Buckingham                                                       approximately 150 words

ekb7@geneseo.edu

INTD 105: Science Writing

“Whisper of the Wild” Summary and Analysis

By: Erik Buckingham

            In “Whisper of the Wild,” Kim Tingley explores Denali National Park, searching for an area containing non-human made sound. This human-less sound that she searches for is an integral part of a popular new study called soundscape ecology. She states the sounds that we can find in nature without human interference include the “tiny gurgle of an ice cave” and “an escalating rumble of an avalanche.”

Sound catcher David Betchkal states in “Whisper of the Wilderness” that we have to learn how to produce sounds of nature ourselves before we appreciate them, such as the “krrrp krrrrp” sound of wood frogs. This reminded me of when I played the saxophone. My teacher would make us produce the sounds that the instrument made before we actually blew into the instrument. I think that this experience would intertwine with Betchkal’s in a writing piece in that we both are trying to produce sounds that traditionally come from non-humans/objects.

Robert Romano                                                           Approximately 200 words

10/26/16

Intd: Science Writing

Gaza is a country situated between the countries of Israel and Palestine and is greatly suffering from lack of freshwater supply. Gaza does not have a lot of freshwater because the country is forced to dump tons of sewage into the Mediterranean Sea, which then pollutes their aquifer. The aquifer is the country’s main water supply and the raw sewage is contaminating the water with many dangerous microorganisms and parasites. The water crisis is so bad that 26% of disease in Gaza is related to contaminated water. Gaza is reaching out to Israel for help, but Israel is refusing because Israel is afraid that Gaza will try to build tunnels to carry out deadly terrorist attacks.

I found this piece to be very intriguing and I was curious to why Gaza was acting so reliant on Israel. I personally think that Gaza must find new ways to get funding and electricity, instead of relying on a country that they are in conflict with. This piece is a great message to the entire world because it is telling us that if we keep disregarding our planet and destroying its natural resources, every country will eventually have limited resources just like Gaza.

Daniel Biskup                                                    Approx. words

INTD 105

Djb29@geneseo.edu

10/26/16

Glausiusz’s piece describes how Gaza’s sewage treatment crisis is suffering directly from their conflict with Israel. In recent years, Gaza has faced a problem in both their sewage treatment and water treatment creating issues in both agriculture and public health. Due to their lack of resources Gaza has been unable to treat their sewage and has been forced to dump it directly into the sea. Unfortunately, this contaminated sea water has also managed to enter Gaza’s aquifer, which is their main source of drinking water. Thus, the drinking water has become salinated and contaminated, causing disease in many of Gaza’s residence, as well as salinated sewage, which cannot be treated to create fertilizer. Gaza can solve this issue if only Israel trusted enough to allow the resources that Gaza needs across the border. However, these resources can also be used for warfare, which is why Israel refuses to. This piece reminds me of the water crisis as it relates to the entire world an how much of it could be solved if resources and research were able to easily move, instead of being stopped by conflict and competition.

Will Gerber About 150 words

10 MacVittie Circle

Geneseo, New York 14454

(315) 250-9687

wrg1@geneseo.edu

Josie Glausiusz’ “Land Divided, Coast United”

By Will Gerber

In her article “Land Divided, Coast United,” Josie Glausiusz describes Gaza’s need for upgraded water treatment facilities. She illustrates the impact of Israel’s restrictions on what can and can’t be brought into the state. Israel restricts many of the materials needed to build an effective treatment facility out of fear that they could be used to build weapons to harm the country. Despite this, without effective water treatment capabilities, Gaza will end up polluting the same water source that Israelis pull from, endangering their own country.

This article disheartens me. Of course I am bothered by the conflict, but I’m saddened that the only probable resolution is one that directly benefits the oppressor. Rather than aiding Palestine for the welfare of the Palestinian people, Israel will be forced to allow them basic necessities to protect themselves. This reminds me of the pollution of the Grasse river in my hometown, Massena NY.