...in Guam’s limestone forests is extremely limited. In order to account the number of species available in comparison to the Panama tropical rainforests, data gathered from of 20x20 plots were recorded. Throughout this study, factors for Guam’s limited species diversity may be generalized but not fully confirmed. Overall the main purpose is to get an idea of what type of species are available in the limestone forests, as well as provide data for researchers to pursue further studies as to why species are so limited here on this island. Introduction Tropical rainforests, along with temperate ones, are the most complex biomes on earth. This is due to the many ecosystems found within them. Although it is assumed that rainforest are fertile with plant species due to nutrient-rich soil, it is not. Most nutrients are either washed away from the soil due to heavy rainfall or recycled through the vegetation. Usually new growth within the forest greatly depends on decomposing organisms, such as bacteria and fungi (Tang et al.2011). Specie diversity varies within these rainforests depending on conditions surrounding and affecting each. Considering that species diversity is one of many crucial elements to nature conservation, thorough studies must be conducted to identify such conditions of limited rainforests. (Primack 1993). Categorized within Tropical forests are karst or limestone forests that consist of endemic plants and trees. Guam’s limestone forests are also the most...
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...204 10/28/15 iLab1: Deforestation 1. Discuss 5 products that come from tropical rain forests. a. Chocolate originates from the cacao plant, which grows in Central and South America. Its cultivation is a forest-friendly source of income for those living in the Amazon. (Larsson) b. Moisturizer has ingredients that originate in the Amazon. These ingredients include the Brazil nut and coconut oil. (Larsson) c. Medicine’s ingredients can come from the Amazon and have the properties to smell great and save lives. Tropical rainforests provide for 70% of the plants that have proven anti-cancer properties. (Tropical Forests, Larsson) d. Home and office products come from the most valuable types of wood only found in tropical rain forests. Though this may lead into deforestation, cutting down these trees. (Tropical Forests) e. Açaí is found in the Amazon, and is known as the super fruit of super foods. It is rich in proteins and is a massive health hit. (Larsson) 2. With clear examples, discuss 5 major causes of deforestation. a. Agricultural expansion (farming) demands come from an increase in consumer product demands. The Trans-Amazon Highway was to be built in the Amazonian basin, but it was a failure. However, the plan was to easily transport wood. (Debjani) b. Shifting cultivation is temporary growth, reliant on the clearing of a given area of a tropical rain forest. Once the cultivation amount is achieved, the area is abandoned. This occurs...
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...Chapter 1: The World of the Forest * Ituri Forest – Northeast corner of the Belgian Congo * Stanley’s Dark Continent – * country he loved and hated * scene of ill-fated expedition to relieve Emin Pasha * Emin Pasha – expedition costing hundreds of lives and imposing hardships on survivors trekked across great forest three times, losing more lives each time through fighting, sickness and desertion * Outsiders: All came from open country full of plains, sunlight and warmth – thus people who visited the Ituri and feel overpowered by damp air, drying out between violent storms, and remoteness and loneliness * For those who live there: cool, restful, shady world with light filtered hazily through the trees. No silence to them: forest full of exciting and mysterious sounds * Believe cry high up in trees is the chameleon telling them honey is nearby (scientists say chameleons are unable to make these sounds) * World of forest is closed, possessive, and hostile to those who do not understand it. * May think it hostile to humans because in every village, people have fear of forest * Villagers are friendly and hospitable to strangers, offering them the best of whatever food they have and clearing out a house where the traveler can rest in comfort and safety * Villages set among plantations in clearings cut from heart of forest – it is from the plantations that food comes, not from forest, and for villagers life is a constant...
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...Deforestation has become a serious global issue which is resulting in many negative effects such as a loss of biodiversity, land erosion and climate change. Deforestation can be broadly defined as “forest conversion and different types of degradation that reduce forest quality” (Sven, 2000). The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) provides a narrow definition: “depletion of tree crown cover to less than 10% as the deforestation” (FAO, 1993: 10). Forests play a significant role in humanity’s life. According to the World Rainforest Movement (1998), 25% of medicines come from the forests. Moreover, over the past 8000 years, about 5000 square miles of forest has been cut down annually (Rochen, 2008; Seitz, 2008). There are three main causes which lead to the deforestation: logging, overpopulation and road construction. This essay will examine each cause and evaluate the effects. It will begin with discussing the causes of deforestation. Next, it will examine the serious effects. Industrial logging is one of the most significant causes of deforestation. According to Phelps (2005), industrial logging is the clearance of trees for commercial purposes. In West Africa, over the past 40 years, about 2800-3500km² forests have been logged every year (Middleton, 2008). The peasants in Africa play an important role but it is modern industry that cut down so many trees. For example, as Heller (2001) found, every year more than 800 square miles of trees disappear due to the demand of paper...
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...256 May 9, 2010 Stephanie Gordon Natural Resources and Energy Paper In most tropical countries, only one tree is being replanted for every 10 cut down (Iowa Public Television, 1995-2010). Tropical rainforests “cover about 2% of earth’s surface, but house over half of world’s plant and animal species…” (Iowa Public Television, 1995-2010). Rainforests are vanishing quickly off the earth; over half have been destroyed in the last 10 years. While undefined, there are effects on the tropical rainforest based upon growing human population. There are proper management practices for conservation of natural resources but it is still necessary to determine the risks and benefits of extracting energy. Throughout this essay these points will all be discussed. Effects of Human Population Human population growth directly impacts the natural environment, natural resources, and ecosystems. The majority of tropical rainforests are located in moderately developed and developing nations that are experiencing exponential population growth. Wright maintains that 95% of the world’s population growth is occurring in developing nations at a rate of 1.5% annually, adding 75 million in a year (2008). Population growth adds pressures to natural resources as the need for living space, agricultural land and, food supplies increases. The biggest and most devastating effect of population growth in the Tropical Rainforest is deforestation, causing loss of habitat for wild species and irreversible...
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...There has been debate over the present day characteristics of biomes of tropical regions. For some, they are seen as a natural response to the climate of the area, whereas for others they are regarded as a product of human interference. Discuss the statement in the context of the tropical biome you have studied. [40] A tropical rainforest is an ecosystem type that occurs roughly within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south of the equator (in the equatorial zone between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn). This ecosystem experiences high average temperatures and a significant amount of rainfall. In particular, I will be focusing on Borneo Rainforest, which is the oldest rainforest in the world. The island is divided among three countries (figure 1): Malaysia and Brunei in the north, and Indonesia to the south. Approximately 73% of the island is Indonesian territory. In the north, the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak make up about 26% of the island. Climate is the average weather the region receives over a 30 year period. Climate can be on a global scale or a local scale, for instance where it is mountainous more rainfall is generated therefore that region sees a different climate to perhaps a neighbouring region. Aspect and altitude also affects climate, which will be explored in greater detail. The purpose of this essay is to explore whether the natural, climatic factors have influenced the characteristics of the rainforest, or whether humans have had...
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...A study of nearly 300 communities in the Amazon indicates that deforestation has led to a strong economic boom. Ana Rodrigues of the ecological center and colleagues have said that "the Brazilian government needs to find a way to push the community out of poverty without relying on deforestation." The data show that although social welfare is improving rapidly During the time of the deforestation, the economic boom only took place in the short time when the wave of forest destruction passed, the population will become more crowded due to some factors such as improved road At this time, the community benefited from natural resources, making money from logging and farming. , the land is rapidly degraded so that livestock production and cultivation are not...
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...Heating of the earth exterior and atmosphere and influences patterns of precipitation the sun heats the air at the equator causing it to expand and rise. This warm moist air cools as it rises. Since cool air holds less water vapor than warm air the water carried by the rising air mass condenses and forms clouds which produce the heavy rain fall associated with the tropical environment. Eventually this equatorial air mass ceases to rise and spreads north and south. The high altitude air is dry since the moisture it once held fell as a tropical rain fall. When the air mass flows north and south it cools which increases its density. It sinks back to the earth’s surface at about 30 latitude and spreads north and south. The air draws moisture from the lands over which it flows and creates deserts in the process. Temperature is plotted on the left vertical axis and precipitation on the right vertical axis. Temperature and precipitation are potted on different scales so 10 C is equivalent to 20 mm of precipitation. Climate diagrams for wet areas such as tropical rain forest compress the precipitation scale for precipitation above 100mm so that 10C is equivalent to 200mm of precipitation. This will change in scale rainfall data from very wet climates can be fit on a graph of convenient size. The temperature and precipitation scales are constructed so that 10C equals 20mm of... The circulation of air over the earth is largely due to the unequal heating of the surface. The global...
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...for the greater good of H2O aka water. which is good for saving preserving while using it for plants and willdlife that are effected as they also need freshwater. My essay will focus on history f the Everglades and how locals realized how important it was to save the Everglades. Background The first written record of the Everlades was on Spanish maps made by cartographers who had not seen the land. They named the unknown area between the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts of Flordia Laguna Del Spirito (Lake of the Holy Spirit) The area appered in maps for decades without being explored. Writer John Grant Forbes stated in 1811 "The Indians represent (the south points) as impenetiable and the (British) as surveyors,wreckers and coasters had not means of exploring beyond the boarders of the sea coast and the mouths of rivers."1 Naturally the southern Flordia Southern waterflow is from Lake Okeechokee with Freshwater aka Everglades which estimated twenty thousant miles supporting many factors including farming,wilflife, and substaining many ecosystems that live there.The Everglades are the largest remaining sub-tropical wilderness in the lower forty eight states. They contain fresh water and salt water ares. They also contain open pirares,pine rocklands,tropical hardwood forests,offshore coral reefs, and mangrove forests.2 Many things have been happening for half a century since the Centeral and Southern Flordia Project which congress put into effect in the 1940's trying to save the...
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... He is best known for protection of the Indians and the famous writing “A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies”. 4) What is the “encomienda”? A system that started in Spain where the conquerors were rewarded with people. Indigenous people were assigned to each conqueror, who had the responsibility of Christianizing them and using them for labor. 5) What does “mestizo” mean? “Mestizo” is a person of mixed race, such as indigenous and European heritage. ESSAY QUESTIONS 1. Give three examples of things that all Latin-Americans have in common according to Chasteen. According to Chasteen, Latin Americans are interpreted as “Hot-blooded Latins” with too much “nonwhite blood”. He mentions that as...
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...of Science and Technology December 2014 Contents Introduction 1. Impacts of deforestation 2.1. Deforestation contributes to global warming 2.2. Deforestation loses biodiversity 2.3. Deforestation impacts soil negatively 2. Causes of deforestation 1.1. Population growth is an indirect reason of deforestation 1.2. Deforestation is rooted by urbanization and industrialization 1.3. Agriculture leads to deforestation 3. Solutions Conclusion References | 111233345567 | Deforestation: A threat against our planet Introduction Forests play an important role in our lives. Not only do they maintain biodiversity, for example providing food and shelters for animals and plants, but they also provide important sources such as food, woods, and herb medicines for human beings. They, moreover, help control climate and prevent soil from erosion. Forests, however, are under threat by deforestation – an act of clearing trees to exploit resources like woods, minerals, medicines and to create land for agricultural activities or space for building facilities, for instance houses, roads, etc. Deforestation is a pressing problem, and it is killing our planet because of many reasons. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of deforestation on our planet, the causes of deforestation, and some necessary solutions to reduce deforestation. 1. Impacts of deforestation 2.1. Deforestation contributes to global warming ...
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...Global Warming Essay: Facts about Global Warming Spread Environmental Awareness and Encourage Fight against Global Warming Through Your Global Warming Essay The definition of Global warming is, “The observed and projected increase in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans”. Human actions, primarily the release of green house gases from smokestacks, vehicles, and burning forests, are perhaps the chief power causing this situation. CO2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions belong to the most important causes of global warming. In a Global Warming Essay the writer can mention: * Causes of Global Warming: * Global warming has increased extensively since the Industrial Revolution. These changes occur due to increased burning of fossil fuels and other human activities. The discharge of green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide etc. into nature (Also see Nature Essay) is another reason for rising temperature of earth. * Buildings, both commercial and residential represent a larger source of global warming pollution than cars and trucks because they require a lot of fuel to be burnt which emits a large amount of carbon dioxide. * Effects of Global Warming: * Increase of temperature on the earth: * Changes in temperature increase the frequency and intensity of some severe weather events, like floods, droughts and tornadoes. * Lower agricultural yields and species extinctions are caused by Global Warming. * Rise of sea levels: * Sea levels are rising...
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...Essay on the role of greenhouse gas emissions trading in the climate policy framework of Tanzania At the 13th conference of parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), held in Bali 2007, the agreement was to implement a REDD 1 policy in developing countries, to replace the first commitment period of Kyoto Protocol (2008-12). The REDD policy is designed to encourage developing countries with tropical forests to undertake measures that will minimize the rate of deforestation and forest degradation in exchange for receiving tradable carbon abatement credits financed by developed countries. It is in this regard, the greenhouse gas emission trading in Tanzania is conducted under the framework the UN-REDD policy framework. The framework emphasises the involvement of the local community in the design and implementation of the REDD strategy. It also recommends that the REDD strategy needs to be pro-poor. Greenhouse emissions trading can play a major role in a cost-effective climate policy framework. In Tanzania, there are various REDD related innovations and technologies already in the country that I foresee to help increase carbon sinks, avoid reducing carbon sinks, and reduce emissions from productive activities. Some of the REDD related innovations and technologies that Tanzania can offer in the international REDD architecture are: Afforestation and reforestation activities - this is likely to be successful as a pro-poor REDD activity, due to...
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...Final Essay California, and Florida are similar in some ways but difference in others, per example The beauty of California if I compared to Florida it is the Mediterranean, tropical weather, its vast ocean front waters, the beauty of its coastlines, the Agricultural land, and the reaches of the Employment opportunities, all in contrast makes California more desirable place to live than Florida. Introduction California is one of the best and desirable places to live in the world. In the winter of 1987, I was living in Florida city, one morning I got up to go to work, the day was very nice from one minute to the next the sky started to get dark, darker clouds cover the sky. People at the trailer park was so fearful, they started to run to shelter places, they were right that day, it rained so hard, and it was lightning and thundering, the winds were so strong that, it could take a tree up from his roots. The people who did not have enough time to run to the shelter place, suffer very big loss, the next day I went to the town to look around, the little city was devastating, windows from business broken, trees were laid on the streets, cars were upside down, and broken homes all destroyed, it was a disaster that I will never like to re-live again, and it was a big experience in my life. I. First main point. California’s tropical weather makes life enjoyable, when the rain is falling it rains so smoothly that it is hardly any lighting...
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...University of Phoenix Material United States and China Comparison Using credible Internet sources, including the CIA World Factbook, complete the following chart on the United States and China. You may expand the chart as necessary. Then answer the mini-essays at the end in 150- to 200- words each. | |United States |China | |Population |roughly 312.8 million people |1.3 billion people | |Population Density |2010 is 87.4 people per square mile |143.48 in 2010 | |Median Age |total: 36.9 years |Median age: total: 35.5 years | | |male: 35.6 years |male: 34.9 years | | |Female: 38.2 years (2011 est.) |female: 36.2 years (2011 est.) | | | | | |Gross Domestic Product (GDP) |$14.7 Trillion (2010) |$5.74 Trillion | |Actual GDP |$14.58 Trillion | ...
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