Climate in California
This paper provides a very general overview of the climate in California. The weather patterns and topography of California have created a state that has rich and unique biodiversity. You can learn more about how California has been impacted by geological features and atmospheric conditions at the “learn more” button below.
SB-953 Bill -Southern California
Offshore Oil drilling has taken place off the coast of California for over 100 years. In October 2021, my hometown was polluted from an oil spill that happened only 4 miles off the coast. SB-953 was proposed by Dave Min, the Senator of Orange County to call for an end of offshore drilling in state waters. Throughout this paper I passionately discuss the importance of this bill and how it can save all lives, including humans, marine organisms, and seabirds.
Image by: Taylor VoegelieImage by: Taylor VoegelieSanta Ana and Santa Monica Mountain Lion Population growth and Interactions
The Santa Ana and Santa Monica mountain lion populations are in danger. With an overwhelming human population in Los Angeles and Orange County the mountain lions are left with a limited region to expand in. In this paper I discuss a general overview of mountain lions and hone in specifically on the two mountain lion populations within my bioregion.
Santa Ana and Santa Monica Mountain Lion Populations
This paper takes a deep dive into the Santa Ana and Santa Monica mountain lion populations. I discuss the geography of the Santa Ana and Santa Monica Mountains. I relate this back to the populations habitats, distribution and dispersal, fecundity and spawning, and the trophic and energy levels. I wrap up the paper discussing humans impacts which have led to habitat fragmentation and disease that have significantly decreased both mountain lion populations.
Image by: Steve WinterImage by: National Park Service BiologistSouthern California Sea Surface Temperatures - climate proxies
I utilize proxy data gathered by scientists Masanobu Yamamoto, Masumi Yamamuro, Ryuji Tada and Yuichiro Tanaka to analyze the sea surface temperatures off the coast of California dating back to over 130,000 years ago. The sea surface temperatures are calculated using alkenone, which are a group of calcite-secreting phytoplankton. This data is crucial to my bioregion because it can help show past climate patterns which are important statics for climate modeling in my bioregion.
Newport Bay Flooding - floodrise
FloodRISE is a program that has been launched by UC Irvine to address the impacts that sea level rise are predicted to have on Newport Beach Back Bay and Balboa Island. I utilize the climate projection maps FloodRISE has created to discuss the communities most in danger and the precaution measures that should be taken. I apply my knowledge of the history of sea-level rise and plate tectonic movement to this specific case to show the consequences Newport Beach may face.
Image by: Taylor VoegelieImage by: Taylor VoegelieSouthern California Wildfires - Vulnerabilities and Risks
As wildfires in California continue to increase, specific communities including but not limited to elders, youth, pregnant women, outside workers, healthcare workers and firefighters face the greatest risks of impact. This also includes people who are in a lower socioeconomic class. Throughout this paper I discuss the reason behind why these groups are considered high risks for harm inflicted by wildfires.
Southern California Wildfire projections - climate models
Climate models have projected that California will experience longer periods of wildfires as time progresses. This paper utilizes the data that climate modeling has forecasted and connects it back to the air quality within the state. I address the direct relation between global emissions rapidly increasing and wildfires increasing within the South Coast Bioregion.
Image taken from article by: Jasmine Sherren Image by: Noah Berger