Dealing with nature's wily ways is one of the challenges of being an ecologist. I am supposed to be leaving for Panama in two weeks, for a short and efficient trip to set up an experiment. In this experiment, I will plant baby mangroves and see if they can survive and grow in places they don't usually grow. To be able to do this, however, I need propagules (aka seeds). This year Panama has had some crazy weather, and had so much rain the canal was closed in December due to flooding. So the trees might not be producing propagules at the same time they usually do, meaning when I go there won't be any seeds. Of course it would be a waste for me to fly down there if there is nothing for me to plant, but if I push the trip back I risk missing the fruits. I'm anxiously awaiting news from my acquaintances in Panama who are checking the status of the trees...
