Atacama Desert Research Journal

The narrator of each book in the “Ecosystems Research Journal” series is a fictional researcher writing in the first person. The journal entries record the researcher’s observations on a field trip through a threatened ecosystem. The entries are presented in a day by day format with colourful photos of the plants, animals, people, and land that the researcher saw each day. The entries may have images of paper clips or three-hole punch marks, or may be presented to look like a computer tablet screen. Sometimes the narrator has included sketches of “Sightings” of specific animals.

Charts and graphs are also included, plus additional notes that highlight other information.

Darwin noticed how plants and animals had adapted to life on the Galapagos islands [sic] here. For example, the beak of a species of bird might change over time to suit the kind of food available to eat on an island. He thought such changes helped the plant or animal to survive and reproduce there. He called this theory evolution. (From Galapagos Islands Research Journal.)

Each book ends with a “Final Report” submitted by the fictional researcher to the group that commissioned the research study. The report includes “Observations”, “Future Concerns”, and “Conservation Projects”. “Future Concerns” include the impact of climate change and human activity in each of the ecosystems.

The books follow the standard nonfiction format, including a table of contents, glossary and index, and a list of additional resources including books and websites. Each book also includes a page titled “Your Turn” with activities and research questions for further study.

Atacama Desert Research Journal chronicles the fictitious journey of an “eremologist – a scientist who studies deserts” through the Atacama Desert, “a cool, arid desert that stretches about 600 miles (966 kilometers) along the coast of Chile in South America”.

Bamboo Forest Research Journal is narrated by a fictitious wildlife biologist who is researching “how deforestation, tourism, and climate change are affecting bamboo” in the Shunan Bamboo Forest in China. A simple map identifies where this forest is in China’s Sichuan Province. The journal includes a report of a visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Galapagos Islands Research Journal records observations of some of the unique animals in the world. The narrator is a biologist, and the book includes a conversation with a volcanologist who is watching the volcanic activity in the Galapagos. Although the focus of this book is on the land and water animals living on and around these volcanic islands, there is also some discussion of the plant life. The impact of increased tourism to the Galapagos is discussed.

Great Lakes Research Journal chronicles a trip around the Great Lakes by a biologist with a special interest in freshwater lakes. The majority of the places visited in this journey are Canadian: Bay of Quinte, Hamilton Harbour, Grimsby to Niagara River, Welland Canal, Pelee Island, Manitoulin Island, Sault Ste. Marie, and Nipigon Bay.

Mississippi River Research Journal has a limnologist - a scientist who studies rivers, lakes, and streams – as the narrator. The trip begins at the source of the Mississippi River in Minnesota to its end at the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the journal looks at the problem of flooding along the Mississippi, including recent efforts to deal with some of the worst flooding in 100 years.

Serengeti Research Journal follows a year-long study by a zoologist of the Great Migration, “the name given to the movement of animals across the grasslands in Africa called the Serengeti”. The migration follows the rain as animals move on a huge circular route to find food and water. Climate change has affected the rain patterns causing hardships for plants, animals and indigenous people of the Serengeti. The final report concludes that tourism may provide benefits but needs to be carefully monitored to ensure that the “greatest migration on Earth” continues.

The format of the “Ecosystems Research Journal” series is engaging and accessible to young students. The text and photos support each other, and the organization of the presentation as a day by day journey is easy to follow. Well worth considering to add to your library collection.