The real title: Multi-Element Analysis of Blood Samples in a Passerine Species: Excesses and Deficiencies of Trace Elements in an Urbanization Study.

Yes it is a long title.

Research Question: Urbanization over these past few hundred years have caused a huge ecological change across the world, and for many animals which were adapted to specific environments preceding the city. For example, the chemicals in urban air (in short- air quality) is much different than in rural habitats, as well as food sources. This study asks: How do these air and food pollutants effect the health and growth of young birds in urban and rural environments?

Experimental Design: The researches selected the Great Tit to study, as it’s a small bird common throughout the study sites. The study locations are two mid-sized cities and two forests in eastern France. 150 nest boxes were placed at every site (clusters of 1-25 nest boxes spread apart from each other by around 50m), spread throughout the cities/forests on streets/pathways or, in the case of the cities, parks as well. Monitoring occurred between March to June 2013, where researchers inspected the nests every week for eggs. Once there was an egg in the nest, the researchers recorded the day it was found as day one of the incubation process. If multiple eggs were found, they would backtrack to record the first egg, as the great tit lays one egg per day. The researchers then went back after 13 days to record the amount of hatchlings within the nest, as well as measure the mass and length of each hatchling. Hatchlings were tagged after 7 days, and blood was taken when the hatchlings were 13 days old to be tested for a lack or excess of certain trace elements necessary to their survival. The nest boxes were also fitted with different measuring devices to measure atmospheric NO2 levels.

In my opinion, the experiment is interesting, however it is extremely difficult to understand. In addition, I felt like the researchers were trying to measure a lot of different variables at once. Though it may be convenient, its hard to describe everything in full detail when there are so many variables. Its an extremely specific experimental design process however, so I’m not sure how else one would do this experiment to get the most accurate data possible.