California in Flames : A Literature Review on the Causes and Effects of Wildfires

Project by Polygence alum Tridib

California in Flames : A Literature Review on the Causes and Effects of Wildfires

Project's result

The project was published in the Journal of Student Research and also won 2nd prize in the Polygence Symposium in 2022

They started it from zero. Are you ready to level up with us?

Summary

Throughout the hot and arid months, ( May - September) anthropogenic impacts are causing wildfires to spread immensely in California and are inflicting devastating damage on the surrounding environment. Normally, naturally occurring fires are one of the best things that could help stabilize forest ecosystems. However, human impacts on the environment, ranging from increased fossil fuel consumption to growing logging industries have caused wildfires to spiral out of control. When the natural biosphere gets thrown out of balance, mass death and loss of biodiversity follow. This decrease in biodiversity could cascade into the extinction of thousands of flora and fauna species across the West Coast. With the world's population increasing and more stress being put on natural resources, there is a growing fear that humans will eventually destroy the ancient forest biomes if no steps are taken to end the aforementioned phenomena. Currently, the techniques used to help control wildfires are not enough to stop them from causing massive damage to California’s biosphere. Messy cleanups after logging operations and other careless human behavior are still the biggest reasons behind preventable wildfires. If the climate crisis and other human activities are not addressed immediately, the state could lose its most species-rich areas forever.

Jordana

Jordana

Polygence mentor

PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate

Subjects

Quantitative, Psychology

Expertise

behavioral science, social psychology, data science

Tridib

Tridib

Student

Hello! My name is Tridib. I'm a Freshman at the Univeristy of Michigan. I am majoring in Biochemistry, but love to work with the Environment. A fun fact about me is that every summer I travel to my friend's farm in rural upstate New York and help harvest the wheat and crops using a combine! Always great to explore what the world has to offer!

School

Troy High School

Graduation Year

2023

Project review

“My experience with Polygence was incredible. From the beginning, my mentor guided me through the crucial stages of formulating a research project. From tips on taking notes, to how to act when presenting at the symposium, my mentor helped create a very positive working and learning space, which in turn allowed me to reach new depths with my research. This is why I believe the most valuable part of the whole Polygence experience is the mentors that you work with. Their devotion and expertise in their respective areas give students the best chance at achieving their goals with the platform and ensuring a pleasant environment in the process. I now work as a Surgical research Assistant at the Michigan Medicine Hospital, and I owe it to Polygence for giving me the skills needed to tackle these ambitious tasks in the world of Academia.”