Fostering Local Sustainable Agriculture

ERST 425 Research Paper Fostering Local Sustainable Agriculture By: Dionne Day ( ) Introduction: Agriculture has always been a historic foundation of Ontario's prosperity, even within the municipality of Peterborough a huge percent of the economy depends upon it. Over time the course of agriculture has shifted dramatically. Local farmers now compete in the global markets. There is the problem of huge enterprises competing against local small farmers and their production, which as we are witnessing is increasingly displacing the family farms. The cost of faming to the local small farmer and his family is now rapidly outpacing the farm income. This has contributed to a loss of farm diversity within Municipalities and Ontario as a whole. The lack of support for sustainable local agriculture, the disconnection between the farmer and consumers and the disappearance of prime farmlands across Municipalities are all factors that have been contributing towards the loss of local sustainable agriculture. This entire drive for sustainable agriculture in Canada began in the early 1950s with the establishment of an Ontario-based organization, The Land Fellowship. They received very little attention at that time from the agriculture community. In the 1970s, many environmental and sustainable agriculture organizations were created in response to the blossoming global concerns about

  • Word count: 2450
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Investigating the Effect of Canopy Position on the Area of the Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum.

Biology II Jonathan Schilling Period 3 Investigating the Effect of Canopy Position on the Area of the Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum Introduction The controlling, life-supporting element of any plant is its canopy, the outer-most existing layer of foliage and vegetation. The tree canopy, compromised of leaves, fine branches, and twigs, fashions an environment which is able to function in many different, useful ways while being capable to support living organisms. Some of these functions include filtering the pollutants out of the air, dragging the wind, converting solar energy into sugar and water through photosynthesis, controlling the exchange of energy and materials such as carbon dioxide and oxygen, and many more. Understanding the functions of the canopy is crucial in the understanding of how a tree operates and of its tolerance. Trees are perennial plants, which characterizes them as plants that are able to live through all seasons of the year. All trees possess a permanent, woody, self-supporting main stem, or a trunk as well as vascular tissue for the purpose of transporting materials to different areas of the organism. It is also characteristic of trees to grow to a height that exceeds twenty feet, or six meters. Another important characteristic of trees are its leaves, the main inhabitants of the canopy and the functional parts of it. The

  • Word count: 2345
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Induced defence responses against herbivores. The aim of the project was to study the effects of jasmonic acid, one of the plant hormones involved in induced plant responses, when applied to tomato seeds before they are sown

Induced Defence Responses Against Herbivores I. Introduction The aim of the project was to study the effects of jasmonic acid, one of the plant hormones involved in induced plant responses, when applied to tomato seeds before they are sown with a view to the effects initiating a positive effect and induced responses being ‘switched’ on constantly. Over the years, studies have shown that many plants, both wild and agricultural have the ability induce responses to herbivore damage, induced damages being those which are demonstrated after a herbivore attack has taken place (Constable et al., 1996). In many plants, the responses are regulated in time and space by a highly complex regulatory networks, (M. R. Roberts et al., 2001) which in turn are modulated by interactions with other signalling pathways. The key signalling hormones which will be discussed are jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, asbscic acid (ABA) and salicyclic acid (SA) along with the roles which ion fluxes, protein phosphorylation cascades and active oxygen species play in the inducement of defence responses against herbivore wounding. The responses both in individual leaves and systemically, over the unwounded areas of the plants will also be discussed. II. Response Overview When herbivore damage is sustained, the immediate surrounding areas around the wound will consist of different populations of cells.

  • Word count: 2255
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Investigation to find out if Stinging Nettles in undisturbed areas have less stingers (trichomes) than nettles grown in grazed grassland.

Investigation to find out if Stinging Nettles in undisturbed areas have less stingers (trichomes) than nettles grown in grazed grassland. Aim: The aim of the investigation is to find out whether there is a significant difference between the number of trichomes on leaves of nettles (Urtica dioica) grown in grazed and ungrazed fields. Theory: This theory is being investigated because nettles in grazed grass areas would need to build up a high defence to protect themselves from being destroyed. Therefore they would adapt to produce a larger number of trichomes per leaf to help protect them from grazing animals. Nettles growing in grass land that is not grazed do not need to reproduce in this way, as they are rarely subjected to grazing. It is suggested that when a nettle has lost leaves from grazing, the new leaves that grow on the plant are produced with more stingers. In my investigation, these stingers will be counted from leaves of nettles in grazed and ungrazed fields. Nettles grow in large patches. The leaves are approximately 10 cm long and roughly heart shaped. The hollow hairs covering the leaves sit on a 'pore' which is filled with an acid. When a human brushes past the leaves, the hairs break off allowing the release of the acid onto the skin. This irritates the skin causing white itchy spots to appear. Common habitats for nettles are hedgerows, soil heaps,

  • Word count: 2197
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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This investigation aims to determine what effect an increase in the surrounding temperature has on the plasma membrane of a typical plant cell structure.

Manpreet Virdee Aim This investigation aims to determine what effect an increase in the surrounding temperature has on the plasma membrane of a typical plant cell structure. Hypothesis An increase in temperature will damage and denature the plasma membrane, which would cause the substances contained within the cytoplasm to leak out of the membrane. The investigation, which was carried out, was to see the "effect of temperature on membrane permeability". Different temperatures were used ranging from room temperature to 87 C. Three test tubes were used to give a range of results. They were placed in a colorimeter, and a percentage was recorded that showed how much light has passed through. The following will show a table of the results obtained from the investigation. A mean of the results will be calculated. Temperature (C) Test tube 1 (%) Test tube 2 (%) Test tube 3 (%) Mean (%) 23 98 96 96 96.67 45 95 93 91 93.00 53 74 73 73 73.33 65 54 45 34 44.33 87 From the above results it can be seen that as the temperature increases, the permeability of beetroot membrane becomes more permeable. This shows that the plasma membrane must be denatured. In the cells of a beetroot plant, a substance called anthocyanin is contained within the plasma membrane. It is anthocyanin which gives the beetroot its characteristic blue/purple colour. If a cell is damaged

  • Word count: 2180
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Conflict over a resource - An area of outstanding beauty

Conflict over a resource - An area of outstanding beauty Proposal The area in concern is Ennerdale, which is located in the west of Cumbria in the Lake District. The lake is called ennerdale lake was once part if a conflict between many factors over the resource of water which is reserved in ennerdale lake. The proposal given was from North West water authority to the Lake District special planning board. The proposal was to increase the water level of the lake by 1.2 meters by increasing the height of an existing damn towards the west of ennerdale lake. The original depth was 43 meters 43 meters and would increase this to 44.2 meters. This would increase the capacity of the lake in order to meet consumption demands. The reason for the increased demand for the capacity was due to the pervious low levels of the lake in drought conditions because the outlet towards the west of the lake was too high during drought to let water pass through and also resulting in the water not reaching the intake and filter works of the lakes edge. In past times of drought, large pumps were used to try and counter for the water which wasn't accessible to the water authority. Not only were there surrounding areas of local inhabitants but two very large companies who needed the water for everyday industrial use. Albright and Wilson is a large consumer of water which supplied acids such as

  • Word count: 2168
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Demonstrate the separation of plant pigments using chromatography and the rate of photosynthesis in isolated chloroplasts.

Lab Four: Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis II. Introduction: This experiment will demonstrate the separation of plant pigments using chromatography and the rate of photosynthesis in isolated chloroplasts. Chromatography is used to separate and identify plant pigments. The solvent moves up the chromatography paper by capillary action. As the solvent moves up the paper, it carries solute molecules with it. The pigments are carried along at different rates because they are not all equally soluble in the solvent. Photosynthesis is the reaction that takes place in plants that uses carbon dioxide, water, and light to form glucose and oxygen. There are two parts to photosynthesis: the light and dark cycles. The light cycle is the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy. The solar energy drives a transfer of electrons and hydrogen from water to NADP+, forming NADPH. Water is split in the process and thus, oxygen is given off. The light reactions also generate ATP through photophosphorylation. The dark reactions, or Calvin cycle, produce glucose. The cycle begins by the incorporation of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is reduced by the addition of electrons provided by NADPH. In order to make glucose from carbon dioxide, the Calvin cycle also utilizes chemical energy from ATP. Pigments aid in the absorption of light. In plants, the main light-absorbing pigments are

  • Word count: 2118
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Soil Patterns In The Landscape - Soil Sampling in the Fettercairn Area 1

Soils Land And The Environment Practical - Soil Patterns In The Landscape Exercise 2 - Soil Sampling in the Fettercairn Area 1 Points C and D This exercise aims to examine four contrasting sites in the Fettercairn area. Each of the site localities will be identified eg. Land use, parent soil type, local topography etc, and then cross-referenced to the soil profile. The four sites chosen are listed as follows: Site Number Land Use Location Grid Reference Wooded Hunters Hill 664 764 2 Lowland SW of Mill of Kincardine 670 759 3 Agriculture Fountainhead - NNE of Home Farm 647 762 4 Upland Moor Brunt Hill 631 771 Point E F and G Site 1 The first site, Hunters Hill is a woodland area, located on the top of a hill elevated at 125 - 240 meters above sea level. This altitude means that the soils microclimate will be much cooler than the other lowland sites and so will receive less weathering, mainly by chemical and biological means, of parent material. There will be increased moisture content due to the extra rainfall this area will receive and mist (due to the potential for dew point to be reached at such altitudes). This site is very likely not to receive up-welling water from the ground water reserves due to its sheer distance from it and so it is not a gleyed soil. Also through-flow movements downslope will be much higher here, resulting in an

  • Word count: 2073
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Comparing the yields of fruit juice produced from different types of fruits using Pectinase.

Comparing the yields of fruit juice produced from different types of fruits using Pectinase. Background Knowledge: Fruits are made of a relatively simple plant cell, with thin walls made of two layers. The primary cell wall is made with cellulose fibres surrounded by a matrix of pectin, hemi cellulose and proteins. The second and inner wall is similar but contains less pectin. Between the two layers is a binding layer of pectin. The complete removal of this layer causes the tissues to fall apart. This is the reason for why fruits and vegetables become soft over a period of time. Long chains of pectin are broken down by digestive enzymes produced by bacterium such a "soft rot". Cellulose is also vulnerable to enzymatic attacks especially in the primary cell wall as its arranged at random compared to the stronger regular pattern form in the second cell wall. Breakdown of cellulose leads to the breakdown of cell walls and eventually their disintegration. As fruit ripens it becomes soft, there are two reasons for this softening firstly that the softening is caused by the cellulase acting on the cell walls, or pectin binding layer changing. In unripe fruit, pectin is bound to cellulose in the cell walls. This type of pectin is insoluble and the liquid within the cell remains fluid. The fluid asserts pressure on the cell walls making the fruit seem hard because of the cell walls

  • Word count: 2036
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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The Effect of Stomata Opening on Plant Transpiration

The Effect of Covered Stomata on Plant Transpiration Nezar Alsaeedi IB Biology Higher Year 1 Mr. Connors May 7, 2005 Abstract: The purpose of this study is to find the effect of covered stomata on plant transpiration. The experiment was designed to examine the changes in texture of four Devil's Ivy leaves (Epipremnum aureus) affected by covered stomata and rate of transpiration. One leaf was completely coated with Vaseline gel. The second leaf was coated only on the front surface, while the third leaf was coated on the back surface with gel. The fourth leaf was left uncoated as a control variable. The four leaves were hung on a rope (50cm. long), 10cm. apart from each other. The leaves were exposed to the same amount of sunlight, temperature (32 degrees Celsius), and humidity (about 70 percent). The changes in the texture of the four leaves were observed over a one-week interval. The results showed slight loss of turgidity for the completely coated leaf, moderate flexibility and folding edges in partially covered leaves (front-surface and back-surface coated leaves), and tremendous flexibility, softness, and complete inward folding of the edges of the uncoated leaf. According to the results, it is concluded that the uncoated leaf with uncovered stomata had the higher rate of transpiration than the other completely and partially coated leaves. Introduction:

  • Word count: 1908
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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