Monthly Archives: April 2010
Endangered species
There are many endangered species around the globe. Many things effect the survivability of a species. There are genetic components which effect their ability to adapt to their environment as well as mutations that can directly result in their destruction. Pollution is another cause of species disappearing from the planet. While some factors that effect a species survival are beyond our control, there are things we can do to slow the process. Invasive species are a problem worldwide and in a lot of ways, it is our fault. Whether or not we directly introduced an invasive species into an environment, we can be responsible for controlling or eradicating it once it is introduced. Some invasive species arrive on their own by hitching a ride with either another species or with humans. There has been an indirect introduction of many species through travel. Creatures come with us on airplanes, boats, trains and cars. In some cases, it is because a passenger does so on purpose, by concealing the creature to bring home as a pet. But more frequently, we may not notice the extra passengers when we leave for our destination. Invasive species take over food sources, fight for habitat and … Continue reading
Environmental issues
There are many environmental issues that deserve attention. One of the greatest issues for the environment and for public health, is the availability of clean drinking water. There are many countries that have scare natural supplies of fresh water. In addition, there are countries whose supply of clean drinking water is extremely limited. Solutions to several problems are necessary in order to insure clean drinking water worldwide. First, those countries with limited access to fresh water sources, need to find ways to convert salt water into fresh, clean water. Next, those countries with polluted water, must find a way to clean their water and prevent future pollution. Clean drinking water is an environmental issues that deserves all of our attention. There have been some advances in third world countries with regard to clean drinking water. Villages that previously had no clean water, are now able to get it thanks to cooperation with surrounding areas. It should be noted, that some villages were not educated as to the correlation between clean water and individual health. If a population is not knowledgeable as to the importance of an environmental issue, they are not likely to do anything to change. If however, we … Continue reading
Ecosystems and balance
Ecosystems must maintain a fragile balance for the health of all of the organisms contained within. There are different ecosystems throughout the world and each has its own unique residents. For instance, the ecosystem in a rain forest will have some species of frog that are not found in any other ecosystem in the world. There are also some species of frog that are common to many ecosystems worldwide. Many things can destroy the health of an ecosystem. For instance, pollution can adversely effect an ecosystem. Habitat destruction is also an issue for organisms within an ecosystem. Food scarcity is also an issue for the health of any ecosystem. Every organism contained within an ecosystem has a purpose. However, there are sometimes foreign entity’s introduced into an ecosystem. This can have a devastating effect on the ecosystem. Organisms work together to create optimal conditions for those that live in that ecosystem. For example, it is likely that each organism is a food source for another organism. While there will be some organisms at the top of the food chain, there must also be some at the bottom. Certain creatures, such as worms, eat organisms that are too small for the … Continue reading
Logging and forest ecology
While the logging industry provides, what some would say, is a necessary service to the public, they also produce devastating effects on forest ecology and plant ecology. They provide obvious destruction of trees but also destroy plants, animals and other wildlife. Demand on the logging industry’s service is high, partly because of the demand for paper products. If humans cut down on their consumption of wood based products, the logging industry would cut down on the devastation they cause to forest ecology and plant ecology. There are solutions to preventing future devastation to forest ecology. Humans could cut down on their consumption of paper products and could recycle any that they use. We could stop using wood as a source of fuel, especially when there are so many equally effective and renewable alternatives. While it seems like a small step, we could use fake trees for Christmas or better yet, use trees that can be replanted after the holiday season is over. While many Christmas trees are cut from tree farms, rather than forests, there is still a direct effect on the environment. While these solutions seem obvious, humans often take such products for granted. We do not often think … Continue reading
Pollution and marine ecology
Marine ecology and aquatic ecology cover the study of organisms and their interaction with water environments. Living and non living creatures can directly effect aquatic ecology. One important factor in marine ecology, like most fragile balances in nature, is pollution. The devastation caused by pollution is as evident in the study of aquatic ecology as it is in other ecological environments. The human actions that cause pollution are sometimes considered necessary for human survival. For example, human energy consumption is at an all time high, and we consistently strive to get to energy sources faster and more effectively, no matter what the cost. However, in rushing for solutions to our energy problems, we often feel the ripple effect on the environment. The Exxon Valdez is a good example of an enormous disturbance found in marine ecology. The pollution produced from that oil spill effected many fragile ecological systems in the immediate and surrounding areas. Although the oil spill took place in the late eighties, the effects are still being felt and will be felt for generations to come. The initial oil spill had an immediate effect on the surrounding areas. Marine animals suffered and died, birds became coated in the … Continue reading
Human ecology and biology
Like nature, the human body must maintain a fragile balance in order to thrive. The smallest factor can effect human ecology. Human ecology can be thought of in two ways. There is human ecology in the sense that humans effect their environment and vice verse. However, their is also a fragile ecology inside the human body. This type of human ecology can be thought of as biology ecology. While humans can effect their natural environment the same cant always be said for our effect on our biology ecology. In some sense humans have control over their biology ecology. However, our environment and heredity can also directly effect the fragile balance in our bodies. Getting lung cancer is an example that could be explained in either way. Human ecology might say that a person got lung cancer because they were a heavy smoker throughout their lifetime or where exposed to known cancer causing material such as asbestos. These days, people are aware of the effects of smoking on the human body and should act accordingly. By smoking or exposing ourselves to known carcinogens, we as the subject, caused ourselves to get lung cancer. However, lung cancer can also be explained through … Continue reading
Human ecology
There are several types of ecology available for study. When most people think of ecology, they tend to think of animals and their balance with nature. However, there is also human ecology, which is often considered a branch of sociology or psychology. When one thinks of the many varying ecology types, they should also consider the many environmental types. Humans have many different types of environments. For instance, there are social and natural environments of varying degrees. Like the study of ecology in nature, human ecology deals with the effect of humans on their environment and vice verse. Humans can effect their social environment in much the same way that they effect their natural environment. It should also be noted that humans social interactions also directly effect their environment. Humans that gather together in a social environment can effectively work together to change their natural environment. When studying the different types of ecology, many of the questions remain the same. Different ecology types have similar problems to face and similar solutions that can be utilized to restore ecological balance. For example, one type of ecology is marine ecology. An ecologist wishing to study the effect of pollution on marine life, … Continue reading
Ecologists are studying Ape populations in the wild
Ecologist are currently trying to determine why the ape population is shrinking in the wild. They are also trying to determine the full extent of the damage caused to the ecological balance because of the smaller numbers of apes in the wild. Ecologists may first study apes in captivity in order to better understand the effect of certain environmental factors on ape populations. They also want to understand the idiosyncrasies in ape behavior. This way they can understand the apes effect on their environment. However, an ecologist that studies apes in the wild, may be able to get a clearer overall picture of the reason for dwindling ape populations. They must study the environment as a whole in order to understand the positive and negative effects of each environmental factor. An ecologist would want to study many factors in determining the reason for shrinking ape populations. There are some obvious reasons for smaller ape populations. Certain areas of the world struggle to prevent trophy hunting and hunting by indigenous people. The various reasons for hunting apes include; food source, trophy hunting, the fight for land and the use of apes for medicinal purposes by some tribes. Indigenous peoples are not … Continue reading
Humans and ecology
By studying ecology, scientist are better able to understand the impact of humans on the planet, while also determining the impact of the planet on humans. There is a fragile balance between humans and mother nature. We must use natures resources without abusing them. The study of our planets fragile Ecology has determined that natures fragile balance is not as it once was. The planet is changing, and humans must struggle to successfully adapt to those changes. One way humans have effected the ecology of the planet is through our increased use of energy. Some have said that the plant will not be able to keep up with our energy consumption. There are many ecological changes taking place because of our energy consumption. Oil is a good example of the manner in which we are causing great ecological change. In order to get the mass amounts of oil that we consume, we must drill in places that have so far been untouched by humans. In places like Alaska, we are changing the ecological balance of nature in ways that we do not yet understand. In order to get to the oil, we must travel across pristine land and disturb the … Continue reading
Ethics in molecular biotechnology
While there are many applications for molecular biotechnology, an increasingly common application is stem cell research. Biotechnology cells can be utilized in a variety of ways. Researchers may search for cells that cause cancers, psychological ailments and other diseases. Molecular biotechnology can also find cures for disease by manipulating those cells. Stem cells can even be used to reproduce healthy cells that can replace or attack damaged cells. With all of this newer amazing technology, there are new ethical questions that must be answered and the answers adhered to equally. There has been outrage expressed by many people that believe stem cells are the beginning of life, and that using them in research is akin to murder. There are also those that believe life does not begin until birth. Realistically, most people fall somewhere in the middle of the debate. Researchers in molecular biotechnology have encountered protest and have even had to deal with death threats. Like any protest encountered with newer research, some of the protest has calmed down. However, this does not mean that all of the ethical questions involved in research with biotechnology cells have been answered. Those ethical questions will continue to linger, long after the … Continue reading