Clarice Linskey

Title of Work: 

The importance of scavenger species in riparian ecosystems and nutrient cycling; Monitoring birds in protected areas with machine learning and sound recordings; Cultural and linguistic aspects of Alicante, Spain

Abstract:

During my fieldwork experience for IGP, I worked in the ecology department at the University of Alicante. I helped to analyze data about scavenger species and their role in nutrient cycling by watching wildlife camera recordings of riparian species. I also learned about machine learning techniques to monitor and record the behavior of birds. I helped to establish recording devices in the field to determine overall biodiversity. I contributed to an important development of data analysis and observed that certain species preferred eating vertebrates to invertebrates. I observed that the Eurasian magpie is an important decomposer species in these riparian areas. Culturally, I noticed most people prioritize socialization and utilize public transport. From a linguistic point of view, I observed the phenomenon of the elision of the <d> intervocalically and the increased use of past perfect tense. I improved my intercultural competence by interacting with locals, inquiring about the culture, and embracing a more Spanish lifestyle. 

Title of Work (Global Language):  

La importancia de las especies carroñeras en los ecosistemas ribereños y el ciclo de nutrientes; Monitoreo de aves en áreas protegidas con “machine learning”  y la grabación de sonido; Aspectos lingüísticos y culturales de Alicante, España

Abstract (Global Language):

Durante mis prácticas de campo para IGP, trabajé en el departamento de ecología de la Universidad de Alciante. Analicé datos sobre especies carroñeras y su papel en el ciclo de los nutrientes observando grabaciones de aves ribereñas realizadas. También, aprendí técnicas de “machine learning” para monitorizar y registrar el comportamiento de las aves y ayudé a establecer dispositivos de grabación en el campo. Contribuí a un importante desarrollo del análisis de datos y observé que había ciertas especies que preferían comer vertebrados a invertebrados. Observé que la urraca euroasiática es un ave descomponedora importante. Culturalmente, observé que la mayoría de la gente daba prioridad a la socialización y utilizaba el transporte público. Lingüísticamente, observé el fenómeno de la elisión de la <d> intervocálica y el mayor uso del pretérito perfecto. Mejoré mi competencia intercultural interactuando con las personas locales, indagando sobre la cultura y adaptándome a un estilo de vida más español. 

Elevator Pitch Video

Elevator Pitch Transcript: 

Hello there! 

I hope you are doing well. 

My name is Clarice Oralia Linskey and I am a Level 5 IGP student. I am double majoring in environmental science with an emphasis in biology and Modern Languages with an emphasis in Spanish. 

So, hello there again! 

I studied abroad in Alicante, Spain and I attended the University of Alicante. I have always been interested in the environment, especially as a Flagstaff Local, I grew up with the trees surrounding me. I decided to study Spanish because I have Mexican heritage and I wanted to keep this part of my upbringing alive by immersing myself in the language. I think crossing language boundaries is an incredibly important skill in order to connect with people and communities on a deeper level. I hope to use my experience in Spain and my immersion in the language and in a different culture to be a launching point for future traveling and collaboration with environmental scientists all over the world to collaborate on global issues. 

My experience in Alicante was life-changing to say the least. I grew tremendously as an individual and met friends from all around the world! I was lucky enough to be able to travel throughout cities in Spain and various countries in Europe. My worldview and perspective has grown in unimaginable ways and I am happy to say I feel like a global citizen. During my first semester, I took biology-related courses in Spanish and during my second semester, I worked with an ecology professor at the university. I was lucky enough to work both in the lab and the field. In the lab, I watched recordings of scavenger species eating fish species and I would note the frequency of the species and whether they preferred vertebrates and invertebrates as a food source and I learned a great deal about their role in nutrient cycling. I also used Deep Learning modules and technologies to monitor riparian birds and teach a computer program on how to identify bird species and their behaviors. Lastly, in the field, I went to a riparian wild preserve called “El Hondo”, which was North of Alicante, and was where the wildlife recordings from the other projects were from. Here, I helped to establish recording devices in the reeds of burned and unburned areas to help determine overall bird biodiversity in these various areas and test sites. 

Here is a picture of the fieldwork. Here is me in the lab. Here is a photo of the Deep Learning module computer program. More field photos. We went on a boat! Here is the truck we took.

Alright, so, culturally, I saw that many people were a lot more laid back, usually, than people in the US. There was less of a rush for things. I also noticed that when I apologized for things, people were not as used to this and told me that I had nothing to be sorry about. (For example, if I forgot how to say something in Spanish, they were usually pretty relaxed about it.) I also noticed that many people prioritize quality social time and use walking, biking, and public transportation a lot more than here. Linguistically, I noticed in Alicante that many speakers would drop the “d” sound in words. (For example, the phrase "estoy cansada" or "estoy cansado", for a male, (which means I’m tired ) would be pronounced more like “ estoy consao”) and they would drop the "d" sound. That would happen a lot. 

I also picked up slang like saying the word “vale” for “ok” and people would use it all the time when they would agree with things. If you were in agreement, you would say "vale, vale, vale". It was a very normal thing. I also used the word "guay" or "qué guay" which means "how cool". I also picked up when using the past tense, instead of using preterite, they would used past perfect. (Example: Instead of saying bebí algo, or I drank something, you would instead say "He bedido algo" which means "I have drank/drinken something". They would use that form of the past more often, which is called past perfect instead of the preterite. This was very interesting. They also used "vosotros" instead of "ustedes", which is more common in Latin and Central America for addressing multiple people. Vosotros is like the equivalent of "y'all" in the United States when addressing multiple people. My teachers would always use this verb tense when talking with us, which was something to get used to. 

Overall, I am so incredibly grateful for this experience and I am excited to share more about it with you at Summit! Thank you so much for watching, I really appreciate it and I hope you have a wonderful day.