Escalated Carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere: The most concerned environmental issue

Escalated Carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere: The most concerned environmental issue The worlds condition today is one of distortion, though everything may seem to be fine it is not that way. From the beginning of civilization we have progressed a lot in terms culture, technology but at the same time we have caused major damages to our planet. In other words, our surrounding environment is in a very critical situation. This is not happening just in one region but the entire globe is being affected. One of the most if not the most dangerous threat to the Environment is the global climatic warming. The center of this phenomenon is the increased amount of Carbon dioxide gas in our atmosphere. One may ask why CO2 is so harmful when it's an important reactant for photosynthesis, which eventually produces oxygen that gives us the ability to breathe and live properly. The answer to this is very simple. ''Nature knows best''. In other words, once we try to interfere in any kind of natural activity, discrepancies will start forming. CO2 levels were not always high. There is a limit to how much plants will be able to synthesize at a time. The excess CO2 in the atmosphere is all due to human-induced activities. From burning fossil fuels to deforestation, all these human activities releases a superior amount of CO2 in the atmosphere which thus cause the 'Greenhouse gas effect'

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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The extinction of dinosaurs must have been related to a major event. Something enormous had to have happened in order to completely devastate these really massive animals.

Dinosaurs' Extinction: An Incredible Mystery by Shahznane Molou Introduction to Geoscience Dr. Peter Bolton 26 March 2009 Index Content......................................................................................................................................3 Bibliography...............................................................................................................................8 What were the dinosaurs? The first dinosaurs appeared 230 million years ago during the Mesozoic era which is also called "The Age of the Dinosaurs". They survived ice age until a big natural phenomenon hit the earth and extinct them (Buckley, 1997). There were basically two types of dinosaurs living in the earth. They were the Saurischia which were the dinosaurs of similar hips to reptiles of today; and the Ornithischia which were of bird hips. Scientists distinguished the reptilian hips due to the steepness of the hips themselves compared to the other bird-hipped dinosaurs (Power point on Dinosaurs from Dr. Bolton). A huge argument scientists have been through is whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded or cold blooded. The evidences that prove the first argument are the bone structures dinosaurs had which are very similar to us human beings. Their long legs show that dinosaurs were fast runners so there are chances they were warm blooded. However, other scientists

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Restoration Ecology

TABLE OF CONTENTS . INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 2 2. WHAT IS RESTORATION ECOLOGY ................................................ 3 2.1 Overview .................................................................................... 3 2.2 Restoration ecology definition ............................................................. 4 2.3 Present state .................................................................................. 5 2.4 The need to create a conceptual framework .............................................7 3. RESTORATION ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ........... 8 3.1 How can restoration ecology effectively contribute towards sustainable development? .................................................................. 8 3.2 Projections ................................................................................... 10 4. CASE STUDY: Converting a dairy farm back to a rainforest water catchment .......................... 12 5. RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................... 15 6. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................. 17 7. LIST OF REFERENCES ................................................................... 18 . INTRODUCTION The problem of ecosystem damage is global nowadays, and probably

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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The Oleta River Preserve

THE OLETA RIVER PRESERVE The Oleta River Preserve is a small but important protected site along the Oleta River near Snake Creek. Historically, the Oleta River connected the northern Everglades to the Atlantic Ocean allowing freshwater to reach the sea. Today the Oleta River is the only natural river in Miami-Dade County that has not been dredged and channelized. Its seven miles of shoreline are largely undeveloped, making the Oleta River Corridor a vestige of wilderness in a matrix of urbanization. The extinct Tequesta Indians canoed the waters of the Oleta River over 400 years ago and today, the river still offers a peaceful wilderness experience for modern-day canoeists. A Tequesta village and midden site is preserved nearby as a reminder of the river's past human history. This area now represents one of the last wilderness areas available to wildlife in northern Miami-Dade county and is home to the endangered West Indian manatee and American crocodile. The site was purchased by the Environmentally Endangered Lands program and the Florida Communities Trust in 1995 to expand adjacent coastal resources bordering the Oleta River. Miami-Dade County employees removed exotic pest plants from the site, supervised removal of fill material, and replanted red mangroves and other shoreline vegetation. This will help begin the slow restoration of uninterrupted natural mangrove

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Environmental revolution and ecosystems.

Ecosystems Simone M Brady SCI210 Dr. Hoffman August 27, 2005 INTRODUCTION Earth is able to sustain life, but to what extent? With history being replete of the loss of civilizations, when do we learn to take care of the environment, as it takes care of us? Populations of the same species of organism living in the same place at the same time is not what we are limited to, instead communities of many species living together composed of Abiotic factors as well as organisms that make up ecosystems and different habitats all live under the biosphere. Absent care and strategic planning, life as we know it will become harsh. ENVIRONMENTAL REVOLUTION An environmental revolution would not result in environmental problems, but with problems with humans who want to have their cake and eat it too. Examples of economic ways of changing for the sake of the environment are as follows: > Solar power, which has been used quite extensively. The sun is natural energy and should be used for lighting, especially outside lighting in order to preserve electrical resources. > According to Brown (1999), urban transportation systems will change by using bicycles, walking and high-tech light rail systems as opposed to cars. > Brown also suggests that the economy will become a reuse/recycle economy as opposed to a throwaway economy. There is no perceived problem with this because resources

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Land Ethics and Ecology (including ecological systems)

Land Ethics and Ecology (including ecological systems) Ralph M. Dahm SCI 361 - Environmental Issues and Ethics Dr. Theodore R. Ferguson April 9, 2005 Abstract Several arguments exist regarding environmental responsibility to future generations. What is the responsibility to protect and preserve ecological systems? Significant environmental damage has already been suffered. The potential for this damage to increase or become permanent is elevated. The consequences of ignoring land ethics are building. The significance of land ethics and ecology, including the impact to ecological systems, is explored. The impact of increased population is considered. Possible outcomes and solutions are evaluated. One haunting question remains unanswered. Land Ethics and Ecology Jardins (2001) argument that a responsibility exists to future generations is valid. The "argument from ignorance" position seems to be a convenient excuse to avoid responsibility. The needs and wants of future generations are unknown. Living in a contaminated environment would not be one of them. Ethically a responsibility exists to protect the natural environment for those who will inhabit the planet in the distant future. At a minimum a duty exists not to cause further harm. Unfortunately, serious damage has already been inflicted. In the 1940's uranium mining supported the development of atomic weapons.

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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International Biodiversity Day 2005

[SW1] International Biodiversity Day 2005 Sunday May 22, was the International Day for Biological Diversity. Each year celebrated to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Biological Diversity is defined[SW2] as: Life on earth: the variety of all plants, animals and microorganisms. Celebrating the day also marks the signing of the International Convention on Biological Diversity by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Earth Summit (aka the Rio Summit) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, dedicated to promoting sustainable development. Thought as a practical tool for translating the principles of Agenda 21 into reality. The Convention recognises that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals and micro-organisms and their ecosystems. It is also about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live. Biodiversity is the source of the essential goods and ecological services that make up the source of life for all. The celebration each year of the International Day for Biological Diversity is an occasion to reflect on our responsibility to safeguard this precious heritage for future generations. Sadly, the earth's biological foundation is eroding at a rate unequalled in at least 65 million years. Globally, species have been disappearing at 50-100 times the natural

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Using field and class laboratory data, compare and contrast the base metal nutrient cycles for two contrasting soil ecosystems

Using field and class laboratory data, compare and contrast the base metal nutrient cycles for two contrasting soil ecosystems. Introduction (context of study, background info) 'West Walk' is located in Hampshire, England and is the largest remaining fragment of the 'Forest of Bere' at 350 hectares. Consisting of a wide range of different plant and tree species, it is rich in biodiversity (Fig. 1) which in turn has a direct affect on the types of soils and nutrients in the area and the locations the differences can be found in. Figure 1. 'Biodiversity in West Walk' Soils are complex materials, reflecting the variability of the parent rock material and organic residues from which they form (McBride, 1994, p. 31). Soil is formed due to a combination of the weathering of inorganic material (the material in which McBride, 1994, labelled as the parent rock material or which could also be known as rock or sediment) and the decomposition of organic material (vegetation litter resulting in humus and decay products), a process known as 'Soil Genesis'. 'Soil Organic Matter' consists of all living and dead organisms contained within the soil including for example, remains of plants and animals. Carbon, however, is the main constitute of organic matter accounting for approximately 58% of the total weight and so when measuring the amount of organic material in a soil, carbon is the

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Examine the reasons for the existence and localities of biodiversity hotspots.

Supervision 2: Examine the reasons for the existence and localities of biodiversity hotspots "I have never experienced such intense delight... such a plenitude of forms, colours, behaviours-such a magnitude of Life! What explains the riot?" - Darwin (1851) "The current massive degradation of habitat and extinction of species is taking place on a catastrophically short timescale, and their effects will fundamentally reset the future evolution of the planet's biota." - Novacek & Cleland (2001) Biodiversity may be regarded as 'the number, variety and variability of living organisms' (MacDonald, 2003: 406). Whilst global variation in biological diversity has long been a source of fascination, it has recently been the basis for increasing concern (Tilman, 2000). Awareness of the extent and rate of the current biodiversity crisis (or the 'sixth extinction', as termed by Leakey & Lewin, 1996) has led to a significant re-assessment of the role of biodiversity in ecosystem functioning and the scope for policy intervention to enable its preservation, exemplified by the international ratification of the Convention on Biodiversity in 1992. The identification and analysis of spatial patterns of biodiversity has been central to conservation goals of maximum preservation at the least cost (Reddy & Davalos, 2003). The hotspots approach is one of many methods for delimiting areas of

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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This essay will discuss the issue on increased pressure being placed up on ecosystems which is resulting 'in a significant loss of biodiversity'.

Juhie Nazeer 'Ecosystems are coming under more pressure now than at any other time during Earth's History resulting in a significant loss of biodiversity' (W137787321) This essay will discuss the issue on increased pressure being placed up on ecosystems which is resulting 'in a significant loss of biodiversity'. The term Ecosystem is used to describe a 'community of' organisms that 'live, feed reproduce and interact in the same environment' (what is an ecosystem). The term Biodiversity on the hand describes the number of living organisms found "in a given area" (B.Bush, 1997, p. 21). A large number of ecosystems are now under more pressure than at any other point in the Earth's history. Major causes of this all leads to human influence on the environment. A number of human activities have increased global warming and climate change and are affecting many ecosystems across the world (The Capture and Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide). One of the main reasons of Global Warming is due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas (B.Bush, 1997, p. 320). The burning of these fossil fuels result in the release of a number of pollutants, such as Carbon dioxide, methane and ozone which increases 'global temperatures' (B.Bush, 1997, p. 320). A number of data were collected between a given period of time which indicates an increase in global temperatures

  • Word count: 1402
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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