01.01.70

The Dry Valleys have been largely sheltered from climate warming resulting from ozone depletion within the heart of the ozone hole over Antarctica. However, recent large-scale climate models project a warming trend across the continent over the next 50 to 100 years. The McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research program , or LTER, expects climate warming here to increase water availability, amplifying connectivity among glaciers, streams, soils and lakes. This could enhance nutrient-cycle mixing across landscapes and increase biodiversity and productivity within the ecosystem. Connectivity is largely driven by the effects of climate warming on wind and water, the major vectors for nutrient and biota redistribution in the Dry Valleys.

The LTER program comprises four main teams. Along with the Stream Team, there is the Limnology Team, the Glacier Group and the Soil Scientists, or “worm herders.” As I’ve mentioned, there is a great degree of overlap and collaboration among the teams. The program just received a seven-year renewal grant from the National Science Foundation that is focused on understanding increases in connectivity caused by the climate warming that is expected.

Source: New York Times (blog)

by Michael Johnston

But look a little deeper. Total number of Animal Scientists in the U.S. in 2008: ~3,700. Total number of new jobs expected in the field between then and 2018: ~500. Total number of Animal Science majors graduating in 2008 and 2009: ...um, 80,756.

In the immortal words of Rick Perry, "Oops."

Then add to that the fact that Animal Science is so specific that the skills are virtually untransferable to any other field.

In other words, it's a great major...if your goal is to be overeducated for a job at Denny's. No offense. (My son loves Denny's.) Critical point to remember for any college student choosing a major: just because you can study it doesn't mean it's a field in which there are any actual jobs available.

So what's the good news for Photo majors? We weren't by Gavin McLelland: "Every degree has some value outside its specific field and plenty of businesses just require you to have a degree. The question is which is worth more to you: a poor degree in accounting because your heart wasn't in it or a great degree in Photography, Scandinavian studies or Shipbuilding (my particular interest) because you could give it your all....