Effects Of Biodiversity Loss And Climate Change

Effects Of Biodiversity Loss And Climate Change Biodiversity is defined as the set of all living organisms and species on land and all natural things around them such as: oceans, rivers, mountains, deserts, land, forests, jungles, animals, plants, atmosphere, heaven and humans. Climate change: climate change is affecting biodiversity so that this becomes a major threat to biodiversity in the coming decades. Since this originated? Although throughout the history of the Earth climate has always changed with the ecosystems and species that came and went, rapid climate change affects ecosystems and the ability of species to adapt and thus increases the loss of biodiversity. While the loss of biodiversity increases the life of humans at risk enters e.g. climate change can dry the water taking into account global warming, and if no water, no human, this would also affect plants as without water, photosynthesis cannot be performed, also with animals and plants not animals without human life disappears. So if biodiversity has this enormou s threat we are under this threat also already there are evidence of how species are responding to global warming. Some examples are as follows: In Costa Ricas golden toad May Have Become Extinct Due to Their Inability to Adapt to Changing temperature Birds like the blue jay in Arizona are starting to reproduce early. Alpine plants are moving to Higher latitudes in Austria Such mammals as Arctic polar bears are feeling the ravages of global warming on ice decline The surface temperatures of the Seas Have produced a Phenomenon of coral bleaching, Yielding by an alga (Which Gives color to the coral) by high temperature, alters nutrient production Penguin Populations Have fallen by 33% in parts of Antarctica In Antarctic poles are melting because of climate change, and this at a major threat to the world as these poles melting caused sea level rise and it will cause flooding and losses till some cities on the coast, I chose these two themes primarily for their long relationship and sec ondly by providing extensive information with which I can learn and study the origins of biodiversity loss and that I can do to avoid it Why biodiversity is important? Life has been able to adapt to the most diverse places on earth, from microscopic creatures that habit in the icy landscapes of the poles to creatures that live in warmer places, since the birds that fly at high altitudes than fish living in depths of the ocean, our planet is full of living organisms. All of them are part of the history of the world in the last 3.5 billion years, which means since the onset of the first cell. Just the study of early life forms, has allowed us to see how they have evolved from the simplest of bacteria to the most complex. And even though we all know that in reality we are only able to identify with a name 10 percent of them, the remaining 90 percent are still a mystery to humans. The vast majority of them are not easily visible to us, but its importance is vital to our existence, are responsible for shifting the balance between different components of the atmosphere, purify the air we repair, recycle wastes of nature to that from dead organic matter can be reborn, and is that the distribution of tasks necessary for the maintenance of ecosystems is very complex and requires the activity of all its components. While more species living more productive and stable the ecosystem will be, and have greater capacity for recovery if there is a drought, fire or any other threat to this. Scientists have begun to realize how much of this, in 1997 a group of economists and environmental scientists tried to measure in economic terms, the services that the environment gives without asking anything in return, and results they achieved almost double the GDP of all countries in the world. We should not be surprising considering all the tasks that nature solves: regulate the at mosphere and climate, fresh water purifies, enriches the soil, recycles nutrients, decodes the waste, is responsible for the pollination of crops, produce fuel wood, food, fuels and humanity, as well as important is the planets biodiversity.http://danierap.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/biodiversidad3.jpg Climate change linked to human activity In the world, human activities have caused and will continue causing wear on biodiversity due to, among other things, changes in use and surface soil, pollution and land degradation and air pollution; the diversion of water into heavily altered ecosystems and urbanization, environmental decay, exploitation of species, introduction of alien species, ozone depletion and weather. The current rate of biodiversity loss is greater than the natural extinction. A fundamental question is how much can change (either natural or human-induced) increase or prevent such loss of biodiversity? The changes in climate create a secondary alteration to biodiversity that has begun affecting it. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased since preindustrial times due to human activities, particularly fossil fuels and changes in use and on the surface of the soil. For example currently rain fall on the northeast of Europe and the eastern United States and Canada that is considered acidic. The more acid rain in Europe signed up to Scotland. Observed Changes in climate Earth throughout the twentieth century: the temperature has raised land surface and marin patterns have changed spatial and temporal rainfall, has raised sea level, and increased frequency and intensity of phenomena associated with El Nià ±o. These changes, particularly the rise in temperatures in some areas have affected the timing of reproduction of animals and plants and / or migration of animals, to the extent of growing season, distribution of species and population size and frequency of pest and disease outbreaks. Some coastal ecosystems have also been affected by changes in regional climate. Loss of species by climate change The extinction of species increases the biodiversity loss, and with them our existence. For example: bees are disappearing, disappear. The consequences are disastrous this can cause the pollination is what has made it possible for millions of years, to ensure the reproduction from the plant to flower. In addition, 35% of our diet depends on pollination: fruit and vegetables. The most famous food recommended by dieticians. Moreover, in certain regions of the world, the disappearance of pollinating insects forces from Polish farmers to pollinate by hand. Researchers and beekeepers are moving in different scenarios, it has not yet been clearly identified the main cause of the extinction of bees. All pressures on the ecosystem and the health of bees have been revised: GMOs, electromagnetic waves, pesticides, pollution, climate change, scarcity of flowers, viruses, diseases, parasites, fungi, etc. http://img.over-blog.com/299189/0/55/19/29/abejas_transg__nicas.jpg What is expected of climate change? It is expected that climate change affects all aspects of biodiversity. However, these changes must take into account impacts from human activities, past, present and future, including increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide to the wide range of scenarios of CO2 increase is forecast that the average temperature Earths surface to rise between 1.4 and 5.8  ° C by the end of the century, land areas experiencing the highest warming oceans and high latitudes will warm more than the tropics. It is estimated that sea level rise associated with such changes falls 0.1 to 0.9 m. In general, it is expected an increase in precipitation in high latitudes and equatorial areas and decrease in subtropical areas but increased heavy rainfall. It is expected that climate change directly affecting individual organisms, populations, distribution of species, and ecosystem functioning, for example due to increased temperatures and changes in precipitation and in the case of marine ecosystems coastal and expected changes in sea level and strong storm surges, and indirectly, including through the impact of climate change in the intensity and frequency of phenomena such as forest fires. The loss, modification and disintegration of the environment and the introduction and spread of alien species will affect the impacts of climate change. A realistic projection of the future state of terrestrial ecosystems should take into account patterns of land use and water, which will greatly affect the ability of organisms to respond to climate change through movement. Percentage of variation of precipitation over the average forecast for global next 100 years on America. It is expected a decrease in central Chile and an increase in the extreme south. Melt poles by climate change Tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean, continental, desert, polar, mountain high Nobody can predict what weather will need to consider children in 100 years. The warming will force change textbooks because, even worse, alter the ecosystem of more than 60 percent of the land surface. The impact will suffer the most severe tropical forests. If you escape to deforestation, it is likely that the warming stopped. The poles will be reduced, and high mountain climates are also at risk of disappearing. Among all possible future scenarios, scientists have taken two extremes. The first, in which nothing is done to curb the emission of greenhouse gases, the result would be up to 39 percent of the Earths surface, would experience a change in temperature and rainfall that would result in a new climate. Therefore, 48 percent of current climates disappear. In the best case, with an emission control, the change will affect 20 percent of the land surface. The most affected area is the tropical, equat orial forests of Africa, Amazonia and Southeast Asia as a major hit. According to the model, the equatorial forests could move to the tropics, the deserts (Sahara, Gobi, New Mexico, Kalahari and northern Australia), to the current temperate zones, including Spain, and thus chain, to poles.http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/imag/_v2/ecodiario/medio_ambiente/225250/cambio_clima.jpg Climate change consequences Changes in biodiversity at ecosystem and landscapes, in response to climate change and other pressures (such as deforestation and changes in forest fires), could further affect the global and regional climate through changes in absorption and emission of greenhouse gases and changes in the reflection. Similarly, structural changes in biological communities in the upper layers of the oceans could alter the absorption of CO2 by the ocean or the emission of precursors for cloud condensation nuclei, causing positive or negative reactions or in the climate change. The simulation of changes in biodiversity in response to climate change presents some significant challenges. The data and simulations needed to estimate the extent and nature of future changes in ecosystems and changes in the geographical distribution of the species are incomplete, which means that these effects can be quantified only partially. Flooding in Concepcià ³n by the overflowing of the river Bà ­o Bà ­o, July 2006. Because of climate change March 30, 2007 March, 2008 Effects of the drought of 2007 in Vegas Cayucupil, Caà ±ete. The image shows the same place a year apart Conclusion As I explained earlier biodiversity plays a very important in us as this is vital for human life, and this is being eroded by many factors, but here in this project. Mainly I just said the climate change, we cause rapid climate change which becomes a threat to biodiversity, bone for us, but we can do something to prevent it? Yes, there are many things you can do to help or participate in improving the current condition of the Earth and future conditions are: Improving the efficiency of cars. Be achieved through better technology, lightening the structure, improvements in engines and transmission, reducing aerodynamic drag, decreasing resistance of the wheels, etc. Accelerate improvements in energy efficiency of industries, residences and commercial establishments and public, through effective policies. Stimulate and accelerate research and development of technologies based on energy sources of renewable energy. Ending deforestation and encourage reforestation Recycle Resources http://www.globalissues.org/ http://www.weblens.org/scholar.html http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html http://www.searchenginecolossus.com/Academic.html http://virtualprivatelibrary.blogspot.com/Scholar.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_databases_and_search_engines http://www.un.org/en/

Church And State :: essays research papers fc

Church and State The theory of evolution is at odds with the views of many religions, and many people want to allow a religious view of creationism to be taught in the public school system. The foundation of evolution is based upon the belief that the origin of all ordered complex systems, including living creatures, can be explained by natural laws without the initiation or intervention of God. A person who believes in the biblical model of creation is viewed by some non- believers as a naive, narrow-minded religious fanatic who is not willing to look at the observable evidence with an open mind. Because the evolutionary idea of origins has been so widely accepted by the scientific community, many people have reasoned that the creation model should be completely rejected without fairly examining its claims. Even many Christians who have deep trust and faith in the Bible have never really understood the claims of the creation account (McLean 11). Over the past several years, a great deal of controversy surrounding the creation-evolution issue has been generated by scientists who have based their claims on the creation model and have been willing to let their reputations stand. Creationists have openly requested that when the discussion of origins occurs in the public school system, both the model of creation and evolution be presented side by side. Initially, scientists and educators who have accepted the theory of evolution without question were reluctant to pay any serious attention to creationism; however, it has now become apparent that substantial numbers of people are taking creationism seriously. Many evolutionists view this trend as a serious threat to the advancement of science and have vowed to do everything in their power to stop the teaching of creation in the public school system. Most evolutionists now view creationism as nothing more than a particular version of fundamentalist Christianity with no valid scientific content. One hundred-fifty years ago such a theory for the origin and history of the earth and life would have been termed absurd. Today, however, those who reject the idea of random evolutionary processes being responsible for designing life and shaping the geological features of the earth are termed religious, unscientific fanatics. Today, throughout the industrialized world, the moment children are able to respond to their environment, they are constantly bombarded with the doctrine of evolution. Faith in the biblical concept of creation by the hand of God is ridiculed and rejected by the secular system of education. Humanistic thinking widely accepts evolution as fact, even though "The all-too frequent picture of evolution as a progression from ameba to man, is, and always has been, utterly

Of Mice and Men †Friendship Essay

John Steinbeck shows how important a friendship is and how much two people can support each other to survive. Take this bond away and it will create a difficult and almost impossible journey for the two men in this novel. John Steinbeck portrays Lennie and George as having the greatest friendship in the world and while George claims to not need Lennie, he knows that he needs Lennie as much as Lennie needs him. The mutual relationship between George and Lennie is a genuine friendship between two very different men. Lennie, a mentally handicapped, big man with stand out features and George, the small little tough guy, with the brains and great leadership skills. As the two men are trying to escape from a mishap that Lennie is in fault for, George like always tries to back him up. George and Lennie met one day when George was talking to his friends and told Lennie to jump off of a bridge that they were both on. Since Lennie is mentally challenged he attempted this brainless act and almost drowned. George feeling great sympathy for Lennie thought of it as an obligation to be friends with Lennie to pay him back. As the two got to know each other they became great friends and didn’t stop. Knowing that Lennie was handicapped, George would always take care of him like a â€Å"cousin†. George proves that a good friendship is based on what someone’s personality is like, not how they look on the outside. George sticks around with Lennie even when Lennie does make many mistakes and almost puts George into danger. On page 34 George and Slim have a conversation. â€Å"You guys travel around together?† â€Å"Sure, we kinda look after each other† This quote shows that George isn’t afraid to say he and Lennie travel around together and isn’t embarrassed by his company. Throughout the whole novel, George always compliments Lennie on his work and his positive abilities. Good friends always stick by each other. They always back each other up and they always help out when one of them is in need. Even though Lennie never contributes to helping George, the reason isn’t because he will not. The reason for this is because George never gets into any type of trouble. Lennie is always the one who needs help, but I’m sure of it that Lennie would help George in any circumstance. When George and Lennie talk to the boss George says to Lennie, â€Å"Let me do all the talking†. George proves to help Lennie out because Lennie is not too good with his words. George and  Lennies friendship grows stronger and stronger and it grows so strong that even the part when George kills him is a sign of caring. I believe that George has always wanted the best for Lennie and he knew that Lennie would either be tortured in the end or get killed anyways. When George kills Lennie, it is in my belief that this is the biggest act of respect and love towards Lennie. George never wants to see Lennie get hurt, so this is the only way he can let Lennie live a happy life without getting hurt inside. If I were George I would do the exact same thing. It’s tough letting go of a friend, but sometimes it in the best interest of your friend. The last circumstance that showed a great friendship was when George said â€Å"We gonna get a little place (pg. 105). This showed that George wanted to settle down and live with Lennie for the rest of his life. George and Lennie had such a great friendship that they both wanted to live and know each other forever. George promised chickens, rabbits, and everything else that Lennie would ever want. He proposed to Lennie and to himself a great life with an amazing companionship. Lennie, only in the end realized how great their friendship was. He realized he took many things for granted and one of them was George. Lennie realized how much George had done for him and was soon relieved that George didn’t hate him. It’s too bad that it took Lennie that long to realize how good of a guy that George was and how much that he meant to George. I think that the most important part of this novel wasn’t who died, or the dream that they wanted. The most important thing was the closeness of the two main characters because it doesn’t happen often that a great mutual alliance is found. Usually a temporary friendship is established, like the one that almost everyone has at school. You don’t often find two students who are such great friends that they know each other until they die. Everyone is so obsessed with how expensive someone’s clothes or jewelry is that they don’t have time to look deeper into a person and find what’s inside them. The future generation is filled with a large percentage of shallow people who don’t focus enough on the person. Popularity is more important to some people for four years (high school), than a real comradeship that lasts a lifetime. That is why I think that a great relationship is close to being the most important thing in life and I think that it is the message that John Steinbeck tried to deliver to his readers.

The Principle of Least Effort Definition and Examples of Zipfs Law

The principle of least effort is the theory that the one single primary principle in any human action, including verbal communication, is the expenditure of the least amount of effort to accomplish a task. Also known as Zipfs Law,  Zipfs Principle of Least Effort, and the path of least resistance. The principle of least effort (PLE) was proposed in 1949 by Harvard linguist George Kingsley Zipf in Human Behavior and the Principle of Least Effort (see below). Zipfs immediate area of interest was the statistical study of the frequency of word use, but his principle has also been applied in linguistics to such topics as lexical diffusion, language acquisition, and conversation analysis. In addition, the principle of least effort has been used in a wide range of other disciplines, including psychology, sociology, economics, marketing, and information science. Examples and Observations Language Changes and the Principle of Least EffortOne explanation for linguistic change is the principle of least effort. According to this principle, language changes because speakers are sloppy and simplify their speech in various ways. Accordingly, abbreviated forms like math for mathematics and plane for airplane arise. Going to becomes gonna because the latter has two fewer phonemes to articulate. . . . On the morphological level, speakers use showed instead of shown as the past participle of show so that they will have one less irregular verb form to remember.The principle of least effort is an adequate explanation for many isolated changes, such as the reduction of God be with you to good-bye, and it probably plays an important role in most systemic changes, such as the loss of inflections in English.(C.M. Millward, A Biography of the English Language, 2nd ed. Harcourt Brace, 1996) Writing Systems and the Principle of Least EffortThe principal arguments advanced for the superiority of the alphabet over all other writing systems are so commonplace that they need not be repeated here in detail. They are utilitarian and economic in nature. The inventory of basic signs is small and can be easily learned, whereas it asks for substantial efforts to master a system with an inventory of thousands of elementary signs, like the Sumerian or Egyptian, which did what the Chinese, according to the evolutionary theory, should have done, namely give way to a system which can be handled with greater ease. This kind of thinking is reminiscent of Zipfs (1949) Principle of Least Effort.(Florian Coulmas, The Future of Chinese Characters. The Influence of Language on Culture and Thought: Essays in Honor of Joshua A. Fishmans Sixty-Fifth Birthday, ed. by Robert L. Cooper and Bernard Spolsky. Walter de Gruyter, 1991) G.K. Zipf on the Principle of Least EffortIn simple terms, the Principle of Least Effort means, for example, that a person in solving his immediate problems will view these against the background of his future problems, as estimated by himself. Moreover, he will strive to solve his problems in such a way as to minimize the total work that he must expend in solving both his immediate problems and his probable future problems. That in turn means that the person will strive to minimize the probable average rate of his work-expenditure (over time). And in so doing he will be minimizing his effort. . . . Least effort, therefore, is a variant of least work.(George Kingsley Zipf, Human Behavior and the Principle of Least Effort: An Introduction to Human Ecology. Addison-Wesley Press, 1949) Applications of Zipfs Law Zipfs law is useful as a rough description of the frequency distribution of words in human languages: there are a few very common words, a middling number of medium frequency words, and many low frequency words. [G.K.] Zipf saw in this a deep significance. According to his theory both the speaker and the hearer are trying to minimize their effort. The speakers effort is conserved by having a small vocabulary of common words and the hearers effort is lessened by having a large vocabulary of individually rarer words (so that messages are less ambiguous). The maximally economical compromise between these competing needs is argued to be the kind of reciprocal relationship between frequency and rank that appears in the data supporting Zipfs law.(Christopher D. Manning and Hinrich Schà ¼tze, Foundations of Statistical Natural Language Processing. The MIT Press, 1999)The PLE has been most recently applied as an explanation in the use of electronic resources, most notably Web sites (Adamic Huberman, 2002; Huberman et al. 1998) and citations (White, 2001). In the future it could be fruitfully used to study the tradeoff between the use of documentary sources (e.g. Web pages) and human sources (e.g. through email, listserves, and discussion groups); since both types of sources (documentary and human) are now located conveniently on our desktops, the question becomes: When will we choose one over the other, given that the difference in effort has lessened?(Donald O. Case, Principle of Least Effort. Theories of Information Behavior, ed. by Karen E. Fisher, Sandra Erdelez, and Lynne [E.F.] McKechnie. Information Today, 2005)