Discuss the importance of human activities in maintaining the biodiversity of semi-natural ecosystems. Include the importance of man-made habitats in promoting biodiversity.

Discuss the importance of human activities in maintaining the biodiversity of semi-natural ecosystems. Include the importance of man-made habitats in promoting biodiversity. Humans play an important role in maintaining the biodiversity of semi-natural habitats. Such areas are managed to prevent succession, conserve rare species and try to improve species richness. This conservation is putting to good use the country resources for amenity and recreation. Semi-natural ecosystems have many important values, including economic, environmental, wildlife, archival and heritage. Without human activities the biodiversity of semi-natural ecosystems would more than likely decrease in response to succession, agricultural processes, including nutrient enrichment, and to atmospheric pollution. Human activities aim to maintain natural ecosystems, traditional landscapes, high biodiversity and target species and community types. Many man-made habitats have improved species richness and had positive inputs to the environment. These include chalk and limestone quarries, gravel pits and inland waters, and the building of canals. In the UK many different semi-natural habitats are targeted and maintained by human activity. These include, the management of fens, moorland conservation, woodland conservation and grassland mangement. Fens are rare habitats in the UK, with many containing a

  • Word count: 1812
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Heat Transfer in Animals.

Heat Transfer in Animals As with all objects, living organisms gain and lose heat energy through conduction, convection, and radiation. They react to the temperature in their surroundings, and attempt to reach a 'thermal equilibrium', meaning that both the temperatures within and exterior to the organism will try to be the same. However, the maintenance of body heat is crucial to the survival of an animal. It must be kept as stable as possible. Overheating will lead to dehydration and under-heating to hypothermia. There are different methods of attaining a stable body temperature in different species of animals, depending on their diet, habitat and behavior. Also to be taken into account is the fact that chemical reactions taking place inside the body of the organism tend to release heat. This can be useful if the organism lives in a cooler climate, but dangerous in a hotter habitat. In this essay, I will first describe the difference between warm and cold-blooded animals. Then I will attempt to answer this question: "What techniques have animals developed in order to keep their body temperature at an acceptable level?" To answer this, I will briefly describe several different kinds of animals and their various means of attaining a stable body temperature. Warm and cold-blooded animals: Warm-blooded animals are animals that are endothermic. This means that their

  • Word count: 1083
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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The Evolution of Man.

666890 The Evolution of Man There is much debate over how exactly the human species evolved (6). Just how humans proliferated remains one of the great mysteries of science (5). The most logical and widely accepted scientific theory on human evolution today is the molecular basis of life, giving us exceedingly more evidence for Darwin's theory of Evolution. This is the main focus of my paper, to explain human evolution on the basis of molecular divergence and Darwin's theories. There are a vast number of theories on the evolution of mankind: there is the biblical standpoint, the Christian Science standpoint, Darwinism, and many others. As I was doing research I discovered the validity to Darwin's theories as well as the support that the molecular basis gives it. Darwin has forever changed mankind's view of itself, which I think is an incredible feat for one person (2). As I may mention several different standpoints on evolution during the course of this paper, the main focus will be the on Darwinism and the Molecular theory. A frequently asked question is why are we humans controlling the planet? Why aren't some big furry animals controlling it? We attribute this to the severe climate change. It is said that as the world got colder, the human species had to learn to cope with the diminishing plant life by evolving bigger and better brains (3). This brings me to

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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A Study of the Fishes Caught by Anglers in Downtown Madison, Wisconsin.

A STUDY OF THE FISHES CAUGHT BY ANGLERS IN DOWNTOWN MADISON, WISCONSIN By Laura Gintz University of Wisconsin - Madison INTRODUCTION This paper is concerned with information about the sport fishery in Madison, Wisconsin. It looks at what anglers are catching, how much they are catching, the area and depth where they are fishing, and how they are fishing. The data was collected from anglers on downtown Madison lakes by University students to get information about some of the common fish species on the lakes. The species examined included bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), perch (Perca flavescens), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and northern pike (Esox lucius). The data was then used to compare species composition, size and age distributions, catch rates and habitat of Madison lakes fishes sampled by the winter anglers. METHODS All data was collected on February 7, 2004. Groups of two to three University of Wisconsin - Madison students in the Ecology of Fishes class went out onto one of four lakes in Madison, Wisconsin to get information from anglers. Half of the students went out onto the lakes at 8:30 a.m. and the other half went out at 12:30 p.m. The four lakes studied were Lake Mendota, Lake Wingra, Monona Bay, and Mud Lake. The locations looked at

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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How far would you agree that environmental issues are more of a concern to a religious believer that to a utilitarian?

How far would you agree that environmental issues are more of a concern to a religious believer that to a utilitarian? The planet has many serious environmental problems such as animal rights and pollution. Traditionally Christians usually only consider humans and the advantages and disadvantages to themselves when looking at environmental issues. Utilitarianism on the other hand looks at the whole ecosystem and their 'moral interest'. Genesis 1v28 is one of the main teachings about stewardship, used for the argument of animal rights. It says 'have many children so that your descendants will live over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish the birds and all the wild animals.' So if a Christian believer was using this as a moral guide for the environmental issue of animal rights it could be seen that we have dominion over nature. Deontological interpretations include that of Aquinas. Aquinas argued that animals are beings without souls and are lesser beings than humans. Therefore how they are treated didn't matter. Animals existed for the use of mankind alone and have no rights because they do not share our nature. Therefore it would be acceptable to test on animals because is could be a benefit to the survival of children if a cure to a disease is found they would increase in number and live all over the earth and bring it

  • Word count: 640
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Endangered species

Luciano Rahal English 101 B Mrs.Kirsty Williamson Essay #1 "endangered species" 31/10/2004 "I pledge that this essay is my own work" Many species are victims of extinction. In a world where the stronger always survives, these poor animals have no chance of winning the fight to survival. As a result, many organizations have been formed to ensure the continued existence of these animals. However, the kiwi bird of New Zealand and the white rhino of Africa and India are two different species, but they have one thing in common-they are endangered. These two creatures are both suffering from loss of habitat, they are victims of predators and of course, humans play a big role in their disappearance. It is believed that the white rhinos are more at risk of being extinct because they are more vulnerable to hunting due to their tusks and ivory being worth millions at black markets all over the world. This essay will discuss the reason why these animals are endangered firstly, because of loss of habitat secondly, because of predators and thirdly, because of humans. Although the kiwi bird and the white rhino live in completely different environment, they are both experiencing a loss of habitat. As a matter a fact, the worlds climate is changing therefore, many changes are appearing in every part of the planet. Furthermore, the water level is rising, forests and jungle are dying

  • Word count: 873
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Should Animals Have the same Rights as us?

Animal Rights an insight for the Future Should animals have the same rights as us? A complex and largely controversial issue, it has been debated for many a year in the past but what does it mean? What impacts would it have upon us and our environment? The idea behind the belief of animal rights is that since they are living breathing organisms they should be given rights that equate more or less to that of human. They should be given freedom of movement and not be exploited in ways just as farming for food. Research has been undertaken in animals such as chimpanzees that are allegedly more human like than we first thought. If an animal is able to make its own choices for itself such as say the choice to hunt, or as seen in chimp behavior interact with each other, then surely their position should be reconsidered. Shouldn't it? On the 10th of December 1948 the United Nations met to draw up the constitution of human rights known as The Univeral Declaration of Human Rights. It hoped to guarantee a just and pleasant livelihood for all human including things such as 'Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.' This means simply that humans are subject to freedom within their life and security or safety within their society. Others involved the capabilities of humans and therefore how they should treat others and be punished accordingly for wrongdoing.

  • Word count: 1432
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Argument against vivisection!!

Since the time humans developed knives, animals have been killed for food or in the name of science. The killing of animals in the name of science is called vivisection. There are several reasons why we should not use vivisection in this country or any other country. First of all, vivisection and it is not safe. Secondly, vivisection is animal cruelty. This is because countless animals are killed and tortured. Thirdly, vivisection is not the only way to find cures and vivisection has not yet found a cure for any cancer. Fourthly, vivisection wastes money because a lot of money in funds is given to vivisection and yet vivisection has not found any cures for cancer as I will explain later on. Finally vivisection is not needed in testing cosmetics as I will prove later on. These are the main reasons why vivisection should be abolished. Vivisection causes the deaths of many animals. For example, between 1990 and 1997, USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) registered research laboratories reported killing at least 12,892,885 dogs, cats, primates, guinea, pigs, hamsters, rabbits, farm animals, bears, armadillos, squirrels, wild rodents and other species. This figure does not include the hundreds of millions of rats, mice, frogs, birds which were killed at non USDA registered experimentation labs. The other side may argue that all these animals were needed to find cures for

  • Word count: 1335
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Human modernization leads to outbreaks of the Ebola virus.

Human Modernization Leads To Outbreaks Of The Ebola Virus Ebola is one of the most lethal viruses known to man. The virus is incredibly contagious and spreads like a wildfire among those it infects, dissolving its victims. If Ebola infiltrated into the human population it would have the power to greatly reduce the numbers of the human species by more than eighty percent. Ebola outbreaks appeared periodically in the past only to quickly reside and then reemerge again. The virus is believed to have its origins deep inside the jungles of central Africa inside the bodies of a "reservoir species," an organism that has coevolved with the Ebola virus and serves as a means of transport for the virus to its next victims (Preston, 1994). It is believed that human contact with these "reservoir species" is the cause for the outbreaks of the virus into the human species. Human population pressures and the need for modernization and development in central African countries has led to the severe deforestation of the tropical rainforests and brings the human race extremely close to contact with the deadly virus hiding deep within. Groups have slashed and burned away at a environment that has basically been undisturbed and isolated from the influences of mankind for thousands of years and now scientists believe that the emergence of the Ebola virus into the human population is

  • Word count: 2058
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Horse Evolution

Horse Evolution The horse family is a classic example of evolution and is supported by extensive fossil evidence. It has been comprehensively studied to form possibly the most complete evolution of any animal after humans. Horses are believed to have first appeared around 55 million years ago in the form of the Hyracotherium, or 'hyrax-like beast' (The World Book Encyclopedia). They originally inhabited North America and Europe, where the oldest fossils of possible ancestors were found (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2007). The Przewalski's Horse, Equus ferus przewalskii or Equus caballus przewalskii, belongs to the family Equidae in the order Perissodactyla, which means odd-toed ungulates (Wikipedia, 2007). Animals in this order all have hoofed feet with an odd number of toes, mobile upper lips and similar tooth structure. Other animal families in this order are tapirs and rhinoceroses. In the evolution of the horse, the change of the teeth, toes, legs and overall shape of the body are of particular significance. These characteristics evolved as adaptations to changes in their environment and the progress from a smaller minor species to one of the largest species today. The equids diet began to change from foliage to grasses when grasses first began to flourish, causing the equids to have larger and more durable teeth. Equids also became further under threat from predators as

  • Word count: 2695
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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