Day 16

Today has been another outstanding day.  First, we went to the Association of Friends and Neighbors of the Coast and Nature to be introduced to their organization's goals and methods.  They explained that their goal was to help the local ecosystem.  They talked to us about the local wildlife (Sea-turtles and Manatees), and global climate change.

A PhD-student from the university of Nottingham explained the importance of wetlands in relation to global climate change.  George (the grad-student) talked to us about aerobic and anaerobic respiration (which involves peat).   Peat forms when leaves and all organic matter fall to the ground and are covered by water.  Peat is a layer matter that is not fully-brokend down and contains lots of carbon.  When the wetlands are destroyed the carbon is released, contributing to global warming in certain areas.

Afterwards, our group attempted to find Manatees.  We did not succeed in finding Manatees.  So, as a consolation prize we went and viewed baby turtles.  The Association of Friends and Neighbors of the Coast and Nature was incubating baby turtles and then releasing them, to help with the turtles' population growth.

Even though we did not see the Manatees we became of their as a species in the world today.