Habitat connectivity and matrix restoration: the wider implications of agri-environment schemes, Donald & Evans (2006) refer to the threat that agri-business has on indigenous wildlife and the long-term problems this dynamic poses to both human and non-human species. Almost half of all land surfaces on the planet are consumed by agricultural endeavors, note the authors. Agricultural develop threatens species diversity more so than overpopulation itself. Monocrops and cash crops like soybean, rubber, and oil palm are only the most obvious means by which habitats are destroyed. When any pristine landscape is compromised by human development, the result is an irreversible fragmentation.
Agro-business does, tend to pose the greatest threat to environmental integrity and diversity. As developing nations devote increasing amounts of space to agro-business, the situation will only worsen. "Habitat Connectivity and Matrix estoration" illustrates the political, social, and ecological implications of agro-business and inspires possible solutions. Birds, according to the…...
mla
References
Donald, P.F. & Evans, A.D. (2006). Habitat connectivity and matrix restoration: the wider implications of agri-environment schemes. Journal of Applied Ecology (2006) 43, 209 -- 218 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2006.01146.x
The Destruction of the Bison: An Environmental History, 1750-1920 by Andrew Isenberg is an account of the near total-extermination of the bison in Great Plains of America. The bison population declined from being around 30,000,000 in the eighteenth century to less than a 1,000 by the end of the nineteenth century. In recounting the fate of the bison population and how it was decimated in Great Plains, Isenberg looks at various historical, cultural, economic, and ecological factors that contributed to the decimation of the animal. Isenberg challenges two conventional explanations of the bison destruction, both of which largely laid blame on the white Euro-American predators. It was believed that the behavior of Euro-American settlers in the Great Plains was characterized by wastefulness, while Native American Indians were conscious environmentalists (Gore) who preyed on the buffalo only out of necessity and did not kill the…...
mla
Works Cited
Cronon, William, "The Uses of Environmental History." Environmental History Review, 17 (Fall 1993), 1-22. .
Dolph, James A., and Dolph, C. Ivar, "The American Bison: His Annihilation and Preservation." The Magazine of Western History, 25.3 (Summer, 1975), 14-25.
Gore, Al. Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1992.
Isenberg, Andrew. The Destruction of the Bison: An Environmental History, 1750-1920. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Environmental Effects on Species Habitats in the Southern California Mountains
Southern California is not for everybody. "Some people view the climate and laid-back lifestyle with longing. Others perceive the area, and its inhabitants, as a little too far over the edge" (Hutchings 2001:4D-Z). hile the region may not appeal to all types of humans, it does attract a wide range of species who make their home in the mountainous areas of Southern California. In fact, Southern California is dotted with several mountain ranges, including the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, San Bruno, Santa Rosa, Cuyamaca, the Palomar Mountains and even the Chocolate Mountains (Havert, Gray, Adams & Gray 1996). One of the most biodiverse and well-studied of these ranges is San Gabriel (ake 1996). This paper will provide an overview of the ecosystems in these mountain ranges in general with an emphasis on the San Gabriel mountain range in…...
mla
Works Cited
Adams, Jonathan S., Lynn S. Kutner and Bruce A. Stein, eds. Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Baur, Donald C. And Karen L. Donovan. The No Surprises Policy: Contracts 101 Meets the Endangered Species Act. Environmental Law, 27(3):767-90.
California's Plants and Animals. (November 24, 2003). Habitat Conservation Planning Branch, California Department of Fish and Game. Available: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hcpb/species/lists.shtml.
Dasmann, Raymond F. (2004). Habitat Conservation. In Encyclopedia Britannica.com [premium service].
Do you agree with the Court's decision, based upon the language of the Endangered Species Act quoted above? That is, did the Endangered Species Act preclude construction of the dam? Should the ESA have precluded construction of the dam? as Congress right to amend the ESA to permit the dam to be built?
The Supreme Court acted correctly in its decidedly rigid invocation of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). According to its decision, Section 7 asserts that "all Federal agencies must take such action as is necessary to ensure that actions authorized, funded, or carried out by them do not result in the destruction or modification of this critical habitat area." (U.S. Supreme Court, p. 1)
Given that $100 million of federal funds had already been funneled into the Tellico Dam project, it is clear that Congress was explicitly responsible for intervening with any use…...
mla
Works Cited:
Church, T.W. (2007). Review: The Snail Darter Case: TVA vs. The Endangered Species Act by Kenneth M. Murchison. Law and Politics Book Review, 17(8).
Courts, Cats, and Carbon (CCC). (2013). Special Feature: Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill. Courtscatscarbon.com/
Garrett, E. (2009). The Story of TVA v. Hill: Congress Has the Last Word. Weblaw.usc.edu.
Rizzardi, K. (2008). Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill -- 437 U.S. 153. ESA Blawg.
The Delta is also a habitat for many species of fish, birds, mammals, and plants, and it supports agricultural and recreational activities while also being the focal point for water distribution throughout the State.
The development of the Delta as it exists today started in late 1850 when the Swamp and Overflow Land Act transferred ownership of all swamp and overflow land, including Delta marshes, from the federal government to the State of California. In 1861, the State Legislature created the Board of Swamp and Overflowed Land Commissioners to manage reclamation projects, and in 1866, the authority of the Board was transferred to county boards of supervisors. The Delta now covers 738,000 acres interlaced with hundreds of miles of waterways, with much of the land below sea level, relying on more than 1,000 miles of levees for protection against flooding. 20
White sturgeon is one of the most spectacular native species…...
mla
References
1. Northridge, S.P. An updated world review of interactions between marine mammals and fisheries. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 251, Suppl. 1. Rome,
FAO. 1991. 58p.
2. DeMaster, Douglas P., Fowler, Charles W., Perry, Simona L. And Richlen,
Michael F. Predation and Competition: The Impact of Fisheries on Marine-Mammal
Climate change, or global warming, is threating the ecosystems of millions of different species. There are at least 8 million unique species of life on the planet and many of the animals are under a threat that is not due to direct human involvement (alsh). The habitat destruction that is being caused is not something that animal protection acts can address. The problem is with the changing conditions of the environment, these species are losing their habitats altogether or being forced to either migrate or adapt. There have been five extinction waves in the planet's history -- including the Permian extinction 250 million years ago, when an estimated 70% of all terrestrial animals and 96% of all marine creatures vanished, and, most recently, the Cretaceous event 65 million years ago, which ended the reign of the dinosaurs (alsh). Therefore, it could be said that the environmental protection acts or…...
mla
Works Cited
Benzie, R. "Tim Hudak warns endangered species regulations hurting business." 26 February 2013. The Star. Online. 12 April 2004.
Castelnuovo, R. "Case Studies in History and Society." Which Home Do We Protect? The Challenge of Protecting Endangered Species and Property. A Review Essay on Private Property and the Endangered Species Act. Ed. Jason F. Shogren. Austin: Texas Press, 1999. 153.
Debate.org. Should we protect endangered species? N.d. .
Platt, J. "How Much Did the U.S. Spend on the Endangered Species Act in 2012?" 1 November 2013. Scientific American. Online. 13 April 2014.
However, not all biologists agree that building or preserving corridors is the best way to proceed, because it still allows much of the animal's habitat to be diverted for human use (Thwaites, PAGE). They suggest that corridors are an expensive solution, but often those biologists prefer to see less land diversion.
Another solution is voluntary conservation efforts, called "Habitat Conservation Plans" (HCPs). Since these are voluntary, however, they vary greatly in quality and effectiveness. In addition, they allow considerable habitat destruction, and they do not always fully address the long-term survival needs of the endangered animals (Kostyack, PAGE). aturalists have noted that the number of HCPs established in areas of development often do not reflect the level of threat faced by endangered species in the area (Kostyack, PAGE). Critics of how HCPs are currently used believe the government should work harder to require landowners to protect endangered species living on…...
mla
Nickens, Eddie. "Woodpecker wars (red-cockaded woodpecker as an endangered specie)." American Forests. January 1, 1998.
Pyper, Wendy. "Changing habitat: the revival of the Richmond birdwing butterfly offers hope that through research, education, dedication and teamwork, local communities can secure a future for threatened species." Ecos. January 1, 2001.
Thwaites, Tim. " Safe passage.(wildlife conservation aided by strips of conserved habitat)(Wildlife Corridors)." International Wildlife. July 17, 1998.
From the point-of-view of the variation and flexibility of the species such cultivated woody crops rank as no more than cornfields. While the tree farms are conveniently be stretched on the private lands, national forests those are considered priceless reservoirs of most of the biological diversity of the nation cannot expand so easily. The commercial logging is considered as the greatest danger for survival of the national forest system. The timber sales are growingly concealed beneath the post fire recovery and fire prevention missions, forest health initiatives and restoration programs. (Endangered Forests: Endangered Freedoms)
Wetlands disappearing
Declining wetlands and reservoir construction are having spectacular influences on a global scale. (the Importance of Wetlands and the Impacts of eservoir Development) the data of USF & WS reveals that the United States added 2.3 million acres in ponds and inland mudflats during the period of mid 1950s and mid1970s. The country added about…...
St. Croix Ground Lizard
As happens with some anoles and other reptiles in the Caribbean, the St. Croix ground lizard is seriously endangered because of human encroachment and exotic predators. For all their speed and quick reflexes, a number of ameivas are easy prey to mongooses. On June 03, 1977, the St. Croix ground lizard was designated as endangered in the St. Croix area. There are currently only two islands where the St. Croix ground lizard, now extinct on St. Croix and listed as an endangered species, still exists -- Green Cay and Protestant Cay.
About the St. Croix Ground Lizard
Croix Ground Lizard is a small species of Ameiva that measures approximately 35 to 77 millimeters in snout-vent length (UFWA, 1992). The lizard is easily distinguished by its parallel longitudinal black, white, and light-brown stripes. Its belly is light gray with lateral blue margins, and pinkish undersides of legs, throat, and chest.…...
mla
Bibliography
Dodd, C., Jr. (1980). Ameiva polops Cope. St. Croix ground lizard. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Association (UFWA). (February, 1992). Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States (The Red Book) FWS Region.
The activities of businesses affect different stakeholders within the communities they operate in. They affect customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, financiers, regulatory authorities, and communities. Accordingly, in their pursuit of economic objectives, business organizations have a responsibility to satisfy the concerns of stakeholders affected by their operations. This is the core of corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR theory asserts that business organizations exist for not only profit motives, but also social and environmental objectives (Schwartz, 2011). Indeed, CSR has become so that important governments in most countries around the world have enacted laws and regulations that businesses must adhere to so as to foster community wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Inattention to social and environmental concerns may harm an organization's public reputation or have serious legal ramifications on the organization.
WECAREHealth (WCH), a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, is facing serious human rights issues and environmental concerns due to its activities in the African…...
Two general approaches are used in connection with mangrove restoration. One method only focuses on the replanting of mangroves to replenish those that were lost. The other concentrates on discovering the reason for losses and preventing further loss of mangrove habitat. This philosophy supports natural recovery of the ecosystem, once the sources of destruction have been discovered and eliminated (Lewis & Streever, 2000). Both of these approaches have merit for different reasons.
The first option is to plant mangroves to replenish areas that have been lost. This method is the most costly in terms of capital input. However, it will result in the most rapid recovery of the mangrove forests. Natural recovery of the forests takes between 15-30 years, and that is only if the sources of destruction can be adequately controlled (Lewis & Streever, 2000). However, as mentioned earlier, replanting may be difficult, especially if the area has been altered…...
Essay Topic Examples
1. The Migratory atterns of Sea Turtles: Navigating the Ocean's Currents
Explore the fascinating migratory journeys of sea turtles, some stretching thousands of miles, and the importance of these patterns for the survival and reproduction of these marine creatures. Delve into the methods they use for navigation, the challenges they face along the way, and the implications for their conservation.
2. The Role of Sea Turtles in Marine Ecosystems: More Than Just a Shell
Discuss the ecological importance of sea turtles in maintaining healthy marine environments. Investigate how their behaviors, such as grazing on seagrass and controlling jellyfish populations, contribute to ecological balance, and why the decline in their populations could have cascading effects on marine habitats.
3. The Impact of Climate Change on Sea Turtle opulations: Adapting to a Shifting World
Analyze the various ways in which climate change is affecting sea turtles, from altering their habitats and food…...
mla
Primary Sources
National Research Council. Decline of the Sea Turtles: Causes and Prevention. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, 1990.
Hays, G. C., and M. J. Witt. \"Satellite Tracking of Sea Turtles.\" Marine Turtle Newsletter 68 (1994): 2-5.Bolten, Alan B., and Blair E. Witherington, eds. Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books, 2003.Lutcavage, Molly E., et al. \"Migration and Habitat of Atlantic Leatherbacks: Inferences from Satellite Tagging Experiments.\" Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2.2 (1997): 163-171.Spotila, James R. Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.
But the supply far outstrips demand, Europeans are finding. The climate of this marketplace itself is decidedly cloudy. Advance prices have plunged by half.
At this point, one shouldn't portray it as a liquid, vibrant market," said Atle C. Christiansen of PointCarbon, a Norway-based research firm (Climate, 2004).
More than six years after governments negotiated the historic climate accord in Kyoto, Japan, the world is taking only halting steps _ not always forward, never in unison _ to follow through (Climate, 2004).
In fact, the Kyoto treaty itself is not yet in force, since it hasn't been ratified, as required, by industrial countries emitting a total of 55% of "greenhouse gases," such as carbon dioxide, that trap heat in the atmosphere that Earth otherwise would give off.
ussia's expected accession later this year would clear the 55% hurdle. But even a functioning Kyoto agreement would have little impact: Its limited reductions would barely slow…...
mla
References
Amazon rainforest destruction at 10-year high
By Raymond Colitt in Sao Paulo (accessed 5-19-05)
Published: May 20, 2005 03:00 | Last updated: May 20, 2005 03:00
Life Span of io Grande Cutthroat Trout
Mature io Grande Cutthroat Trout live between six and eight years, about average for their species (Spaete, 2006). They are stream spawners, and their average age of sexual maturity is between five and seven years of age, with breeding occurring only once or twice during the lifespan (Spaete, 2006). In general, breeding season is between spring and early summer, with offspring in the 1000 to 2000 range (Spaete, 2006). Environmental factors including temperature and food availability will impact the breeding cycle as well as overall size of the individuals.
Habitat Management for io Grande Cutthroat Trout
The io Grande Cutthroat Trout is a subspecies of the cutthroat living primarily in the rivers of Colorado and New Mexico. In addition to the io Grande itself, the Pecos iver and the Canadian iver are its native habitats. The io Grande Cutthroat Trout thrives when it has access to…...
ildlife which does not have natural predators in Florida was introduced by people who had bought those animals or reptiles and could not control them, or had to leave the state, and therefore abandoned them in the Everglades. The best example is the one of a Burmese python which was let go in the Everglades and had attached an alligator. Both animals did not survive the encounter, yet it shows that human are the main threat to the environment.
To summarize the environmental issues in Florida, we can say that the main issue is the development and encroachment into the Everglades. The lush mangrove and saw grass marshes of South Florida are the last of a great wilderness that, until the 20th century, stretched for hundreds of miles. Our Everglades refuge countless species, including endangered Florida panthers, Cape Sable seaside sparrows and American crocodiles. Many years of encroaching development have…...
mla
Works Cited
NAI. Everglades. NDI Wild Places . 26 April 2010 .
NAI2. Saving the Everglades. 2010. 26 April 2010 .
Natural Resources Defense Council. Florida Everglades. 20 September 2009. 26 April 2010 .
Parker, Karen. Wildlife 'rescues' can do more harm than good. 19 April 2010. 26 April 2010 .
1. The Bird in the Gilded Cage: Exploring the Paradoxes of Liberty - Dive into the complex interplays of freedom and confinement through the allegory of a bird in a gilded cage. Discuss how the bird's perceived freedom is juxtaposed against the limitations imposed by its gilded prison.
2. The Broken Winged Songbird: A Metaphor for Resilience in Adversity - Examine the resilience of a bird with a broken wing, exploring how it finds strength and hope amidst adversity. Draw parallels to human experiences of overcoming challenges and finding beauty within brokenness.
Title: The Impact of Heavy Rain: Examining the Environmental, Social, and Economic Consequences
I. Introduction a. Definition of heavy rain and its increasing frequency b. Thesis statement: Heavy rain has profound environmental, social, and economic consequences, demanding attention and action.
II. Environmental Consequences of Heavy Rain a. Flooding: - Causes and characteristics of flooding during heavy rain - Environmental impacts, including habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity - Socioeconomic effects, such as damage to infrastructure and displacement of communities b. Soil Erosion: - Causes and extent of soil erosion due to heavy rain - Environmental impacts, including loss of fertile topsoil and....
The effects of coastal erosion have a significant impact on the decline of marine life, as it leads to habitat destruction, loss of food sources, and disruption of breeding patterns.
To write a compelling thesis statement on the effects of coastal erosion on the decline of marine life, it is important to clearly state the main points you will be discussing in your paper. Consider including specific examples or case studies to demonstrate the severity of the issue. Additionally, make sure your thesis is concise and to the point, capturing the essence of your argument in a clear and impactful way.....
The Devastating Impacts of Tsunamis: An Exploration of Their Environmental, Social, and Economic Consequences
Introduction:
Tsunamis, towering walls of water that originate from underwater seismic activity, pose a significant threat to coastal communities worldwide. Their immense energy and destructive power can wreak havoc on ecosystems, displace populations, and cripple economies. This essay examines the multifaceted impacts of tsunamis, exploring their far-reaching consequences on both the natural and human environment.
Environmental Impacts:
1. Habitat Destruction and Coastal Erosion: Tsunamis can obliterate coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and sandy beaches. These habitats provide vital ecosystem services, such as feeding and breeding grounds for marine....
Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library
of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
