Earthwatch Australia Teach Live

What are the expected outcomes for their studies? Do they expect that climate change is becoming a problem for reptiles & bats?
- The scientists I am working with are currently collecting lots of information about their chosen species of animal. Professor Steve is the one who oversees the projects and puts everything together like a giant jigsaw to see how climate change is affecting the Rainforest environment. At the moment the biggest prediction the scientists are making is that our climate will change by approx. 5 degrees - this will see 30% loss of all Rainforest species and another 30% are likely to become endangered.
- The reason the team is working on their projects is to get a clearer idea of the vulnerability of different key Rainforest species. The idea is that there is money to be spent protecting certain areas and key species, but the Government needs some direction as to where the funds go - it is no good putting all our resources towards protecting an animal that is going to thrive in warmer climates instead of another species that will definitely need our help.
What have you found out so far? How will this research you are doing help the researchers? Found any other bats in your travels? What sort of geckos have you found?
- We have found out that animals can be bloody hard to find!! In fact we searched one area for 30 mins today and did not find one animal (with a backbone...) - they must have been hiding in their retreat sites... I have also found out heaps of interesting facts about the Rainforest AND global warming.
- The field work we are helping with assists the researchers with their projects - naturally, like all Science, after taking observations and recording results there is a lot of analysis to do before any clear results can be determined - we did find out that Micro-hylid frogs are very resilient to temperature and humidity changes though (so hopefully they will be ok as our planet warms up!).
- We have found Leaf tailed Geckos and a leaf litter dwelling Gecko (will get back to you with the name of this one...)
Can you please bring us back a pet frog?
- Unfortunately not! Although I did have a very cute little frog in my tent last night. Maybe we can see about getting one in the Science department when I get back...
Is it hot up there or is it cold?
What’s your favourite animal?
What’s the weirdest one that you have touched or seen?
- Hi Chloe! Actually the weather here is not too bad - we have had heaps of rain but we have also had some lovely weather the last couple of days. In the forest the temperature has been around the 20 - 28 degree mark, with humidity of about 85 - 100%. We have been camping at a high altitude so the weather is not too bad - when we went to Cairns it was about 35 degrees (and it felt VERY hot!)
My favourite animal so far has to be the Leaf Tailed Gecko - they are very cool and are really hard to see when they are in the forest (they camouflage so well!) Also did you know, they are like skinks and can drop their tail off if they are threatened and it doesn't hurt them - it just takes a while for them to grow another one...
Strangest animal I have touched or seen has been the Carpet Python - very cool!
How’s it in the rainforest have you found any spiders yet?
- The rainforest is great! There are lots of amazing sounds, sites and colours here - I will show you pictures when I get back!
- About the spiders... There are plenty up here - I was not very happy to find 2 big spiders in my tent when I was taking it down last week (actually they were kind of huge - about the size of your palm!?)
What time do you have to wake up in the mornings while you’re at the rainforest??
- We usually wake up about 7am, although if we go out for Bird surveys we have to get up at 4.45am! The birds get up nice and early and they are at their most active when the sun is coming up...

I was just wondering if you have seen any frogs and if you have what type of species were there?

- We have seen many different frog species including a White Lipped Tree frog in our shower block this morning! Apart from that there have been Cane toads, Micro-hylid frogs (which are tiny little guys as small as your thumbnail) and Barred frogs to name a few.

Why is Lake Eacham extinct?

- What causes volcanoes to go extinct? Simply put, they're cut off from their supply of lava.

- Extinct volcanoes haven't erupted for tens of thousands of years, and aren't expected to erupt again.

Just say that you where swimming in a volcano how would you know if it was going to erupt?

- I imagine the trees around the edge of the crater would be dead because of the increased chemical levels in the soil, the water would heat up and the bottom of the water body would be way too hot to stand on!