As someone who frequently uses these apps all around the world (Nambia, South Africa, Italy, France, Costa Rica, French Polynesia, Greece, etc.) I can say they are generally good applications. While there are restrictions on some regions, (especially in Japan and French Polynesia) it can identify plants and birds well. Seek specifically seemed to have more wrong answers than Merlin especially when it came to trees. Seek has only seldom been correct with trees, while it is usually correct with bugs, flowers, or animals. Merlin has been almost perfect. While there is confusion here and there (Turkeys for some reason), it is very reliable. To confirm reliability, accuracy has been checked with actual field guides or confirmed with locals. Not only this, but Merlin has identified birds in setting where it is difficult to hear such as in a hunting tent or inside a cabin. I also enjoy the layout of the app and appreciate the audio scale to show the patterns of the bird calls. Both apps have good layouts that are easy. One negative I have found is that in areas of low internet, it is difficult to "log" your species. Other than that, I use these apps everywhere I go and will continue to do so.

I believe that utilizing my experience this summer in Japan would be the most enlightening and rich subject. It is a fellowship hosted by Hokkaido University and I plan to travel all around Japan. I will be immersed deep in Japanese culture and learn about the effects of overabundant sika deer populations. Sika deer specifically are known to trample, overeat, and strip bark of many plant species. It also affects small mammals and birds too by destroying habitat and nesting areas. One aspect I would love to explore further is the overabundance leading to less genetic diversity, which in turn dilutes the distinct subspecies of sika deer. Biodiversity is important not only nationally, but also at a local level. Sometimes starting small is the best way to go about it.

"Biodiversity is the beautiful variety of all living things upon this Earth, each with their own niches, systems, and behaviors" -Brooke Phillips

As seen in the photo, Sika deer (Cervus nippon) tend to spend much time in Assateague eating the plants such as marsh grasses and types of ground browse. By looking at the data from this map, we may be able to compare sika deer sightings. Also, with soil types in mind, it could be used to justify certain sika deer differences in different parts of Maryland due to soil quality. Soil quality is very important for making sure plants have enough resources to provide good food for the deer. Overall, I did not like this application. It felt clunky and slow and the controls were a bit sticky. I do prefer ARCgis to this program as a beginner.

Nara is a temperate destination. It has dry and cold winters with hot and humid summers. It is also subject to typhoon season, meaning lots of rain.

Please see the following links for more information: https://climatejapan.com/place/nara/

https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/why/47prefectures/kinki/nara.html

https://weatherblaze.com/weather-history/japan/nara/