We have been working on stable isotopes in Ecology for our last two meetings. This afternoon, one of our senior math students presented his poster on his meta-data analysis of stable isotope data for mammals. He is looking at some of the assumptions in the models currently used in diet reconstruction. We also discussed a paper by Dr. Boecklen and one of his former graduate students- the punch line is that Oryx in NM clearly have a diet richer in C3 plants (relative to their S. African counterparts, who have a diet richer in C4 grasses). This diet expansion may contribute to the success of the Oryx in NM.
We also enjoyed green enchiladas (and rice and beans)- we didn't get a chance to take a vote, but as there were no leftovers, I think they were a hit!
On a side note, we needed some zesty enchiladas to keep us warm during an unseasonable cold spell- we have snow flakes in the air and its predicted to get down into the single digits (oF) for the next two nights- see the students bundled up as we waited for journal to start!
