Measurement of biodiversity

Advanced Placement Biology class, we learned the importance of biodiversity. Not sure whether or not you know what this means, but biodiversity is the variation of species within ecosystems. This is important because each species plays an important role in an environment to withstand stress. If one species were to go extinct, it just doesn’t affect them, it affects all of us, no matter how big or small of a role they played. Biodiversity offers stability in the world and if we are the only…

Kari brings with her over 35 years of animal experience and was involved with animals from a very young age, an interest that was supported by her parents. When she and her parents moved to 5 acres in Oregon when she was in sixth grade she was finally able to have the animals she wanted. First (of course) came the horse and countless 4-H shows, training clinics, endurance and trail rides. Kari then got into 4-H where she raised and showed market hogs at the fair, one year even winning Grand…

I did not physically go to a museum for this assignment, but I did do the virtual tour of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. When I started the virtual tour of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the Rotunda room is where I first experienced. Seeing only the giant elephant in this room, I moved onto the Mammal Hall. Seeing all of mammals from around the world was very captivating and informative. Of course I know enough about mammals to know which country some of them conquer and…

Shenandoah National Park Home to many of nature’s wonders, Shenandoah National Park is known for its varied species of animals to their amazing landscape. Located in Virginia, the park’s towering mountains, was partly formed by the Appalachian mountain range, known as the Blue Ridge Mountains. On one side of the mountains, the vast forest and lush valleys border the Blue Ridge mountains. Formed by the clashing of tectonic plates billions of years ago, the mountain range now houses the…

I look out the windows of the world today and see a desire for change. Whether it be in the form of social and civil justice, or in the form of environmental justice, the ultimate goal of each is to create a better world for all. I believe that by working towards environmental justice, we can lay the groundwork for every form of change. I can help to facilitate this change by furthering myself through earning a post-baccalaureate in Environmental Studies. My reasons for pursuing a…

Okapis are only found in the tropical forests of northern Zaire, also known as the Democratic Republic of congo. They live in the clearings and forest areas. In thick trees and underbrush, okapis rely on their hearing to keep from danger. The frequent river banks and stream bed. Occur in the dense rainforests at elevations with their range. ‘The okapi is a herbivorous animal meaning that it survives on a diet that is only comprised of plant matter’(A-Z Animals). They eat tree leaves, buds,…

Two major predicted hydrological impacts that may occur due to human use of sub-catchments of the Murray-Darling Basin include extreme flood and drought conditions. These two hydrological events may occur within the Basin as a result to inceased dry and wetland conditions caused by future climate changes (CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology 2011). As demonstrated in the graph, if these hydrological conditions where to occur to the basin an increase in surface water avaliability will become…

Amy Hotz, a staff writer for StarNews, describes the biodiversity of the preserve, “Along these paths, dominated by the trees they’re named after, are micro-habitats - a pond pine forest, an evergreen shrub thicket, a savannah, a pocosin, red maple/sweet gum woods, a canebrake and a cypress low-land.” These micro-habitats…

Most people assume that gorillas are strong and durable creatures that could withstand anything. While gorillas are certainly strong, their survival requires a delicate balance of a safe habitat and a healthy, natural diet. There are many different types of gorillas and each species requires different needs based on their region. In particular, many of the gorillas in Africa are dwindling in numbers due to threats upon their natural habitat. According to Endangered Species…

While travelling across New York Harbor herring gulls and great black-backed gulls were seen. Three cormorants were observed sitting on wooden pylons near the dock. Once in Central Park, I saw numerous pin oak trees, a few white oak, chestnut oak and many cherry trees displaying their white-pink blossoms. Sensitive fern, arrow wood, common milkweed, winged sumac, garlic mustard, and honeysuckle were all observed. Common bird species such as the pigeon, European starling and house sparrows were…