Photo by Ryuhei Kondo
On July 19, we learned about native plants and animals from Andy at UCSB. He is a worker who protects the natural environment at UCSB.
(Karin Takada, Yurika Nara)
(Karin Takada, Yurika Nara)
Photo by Akane
First, I ate some grass. It had a salty taste. Why did it have a salty taste? Because the grass absorbs the lagoon water. Seawater flows into the lagoon, so near the lagoon, grasses taste salty. Native plants clean the water before to going in a lagoon or the sea.
(Akane Terajima, Urara Azuma)
(Akane Terajima, Urara Azuma)
Photo by Chihiro
Next, we learned from Andy about animals which live there. There are a lot of animals. For example, foxes, rabbits, more than 200 birds, skunks, and thousand of frogs. The Pacific chorus frog digs and goes underground during the summer because they can’t live without water, and in the underground there is a lot of water.
(Kyoka Hiroya, Rioka Murayama)
(Kyoka Hiroya, Rioka Murayama)
Photo by Urara Thousands of frogs croak at midnight and annoy the students studying in the dormitory. However, I think that it is very good that nature and humans coexist. (Kaho Takatera)
Although it doesn't rain except in winter, the lagoon is full of greenery. Near the Lagoon is the Pacific Ocean, people can't fish there, because UCSB protect the sea. (Chihiro Usuda)
Photo by Akane
The fastest animal in the world is a peregrine falcon. This bird eats a lot of animals and bugs. The California king snakes are not dangerous, and they eat other snakes, so they are very helpful. We learned that at the lagoon there were few native plants a long time ago, but there are more native plants. In summer the Lagoon becomes dry. And in winter it becomes wet. Then, it is called a wetland. In winter, there are some puddles. In spring, there is lush greenery, and in summer, these plants die. Next, we found a rock like a potato. It was very fascinating. (Sakurako Furukawa, Mayumi Ono)
Andy showed us a picture which a bear is standing and looking around in the grass. I was a little scared when I heard that, but I’d like to meet its someday. we heard the stories about the American native plants and differences in climate between Japan and the United States. (Mei Yoshinari)
Andy showed us a picture which a bear is standing and looking around in the grass. I was a little scared when I heard that, but I’d like to meet its someday. we heard the stories about the American native plants and differences in climate between Japan and the United States. (Mei Yoshinari)