Competition, predation and species responses to environmental change In the study that was run they were trying to examine the effects of interspecific competition which is when individuals of different species are competing for the same resources such as food and shelter in an ecosystem and the preying of one species on another species due to species responses to temperature change (Jiang and Kulczycki, 2004). Other experiments have been run on temperature change but they do not have a good…
Effects of deforestation Increased greenhouse gas emissions • Forests are capable of diminishing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour. • However, they become sources of carbon instead when they are felled, chopped or burned. • Tropical rainforests can hold and withstand a capacity more than 210 gigatonnes (2.10×1011tons) of carbon, and fifteen percent (15%) of greenhouse gas emissions is represented by deforestation. • These emissions of greenhouse gases cause…
4.8 How do the Hydropower Plants Work? Hydropower is the combination of head and flow. The Head is water pressure created by the difference in elevation between the water intake and turbine, expressed as a distance (feet or meters) or as pressure (pounds per square inch). Similarly, flow is the quantity of water, expressed as volume per second or minute (gallons per minute, cubic feet per second). In a typical hydropower system, water is diverted from a stream into a pipeline, where it is…
The biodiesel that never boomed The greenhouse gas emission and reduction of fossil fuel reserves has created energy insecurity and ecological imbalance in the foreseeable future. The organic extracts of fossil fuels that are used right now emit high volume of greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change. The drastic increase in consumption patterns has the capability to create a substantial energy crisis for the generations to come. In addition to this, the pollution patterns may even…
The Earth climate results from a very complex exchange of energy between the sun and the earth and also the exchanges of energy and humidity which are produced in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere/solid earth, cryosphere and biosphere. The atmosphere is the central component of the global environmental system from which life is based on. The climate can be defined in general terms as the long term behavior of the environmental system. To fully understand climate and climate change we…
3) Issues concerning Ocean Wave Energy Conversion: Some of the issues that may be associated with permitting an ocean wave energy conversion facility include: • A significant challenge is the conversion of the slow (∼0.1 Hz), random, and high-force oscillatory motion into adequate motion to drive the generator with output quality as in demand. As waves vary in height and period, their respective power levels vary accordingly. • The challenge of efficiently capturing this irregular motion also…
The environmental case study of choice is oil spillage in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. I decided to write on oil spills in Niger Delta region of Nigeria because it affects the poor and vulnerable populations who are unable to confront the multinational oil companies and government who are benefiting from the proceeds of oil exploration. The region which is home to 20 million people consists of 40 different ethnic groups and occupies 7.5 per cent of the nation’s total land mass (Kadafa, 2012).…
Carbon cycle One of the ways that nature recycles matter is through the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle is carbon cycling through the global environment. Carbon is a chemical element and a key component of many systems in the biosphere, from acting as part of the earth's thermostat to being one of the key elements in photosynthesis, which is when plants make sugars for energy. In order for the ecosystem to function properly, all parts need an adequate supply of carbon. This is usually not…
The Kyoto Protocol Pros and Cons The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was borne on the premise that global warming exists due to human activities. The legal binding agreement help ensure that state parties help mitigate global warming. List of Pros of Kyoto Protocol 1. Preservation of mankind's future The changes in surface temperature results in heat wave, heavy downpours, rising sea levels, soil erosion and increased ocean acidity, all…
power sources for humans, but solar power is more convenient that nuclear. There is a cost to build both nuclear power plants and solar power farms, but solar power plants cost a lot more. However, the cost of the fuel for nuclear power (uranium) is expensive while the cost of the fuel for solar power is free. Both solar power and nuclear…