Abstract This paper examines the process of Photosynthesis according to the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology.
From the Paper "Once upon a time, people believed that the world worked by magic. They thought that gods made it possible for everything to happen. If a plant was growing, it was because the god or goddess of the earth willed it to be so. Now we understand that the earth is just a biological machine, and everything on the earth works according to the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology. Plants don?t grow because some goddess is happy that her daughter got back from the underworld. Plants grow because of a sophisticated process known as photosynthesis. "
Abstract This paper analyzes forestry as one of Canada's most important natural resources and focuses on the questions whether or not Canada's forest resources can supply the world's increasing demand for wood and wood products in a sustainable manner and what effect it will have on the Canadian economy.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History
3. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Resource
4. Key Processes and Relationships of the Resource
5. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Resource Demands
6. Factors Influencing Resource Demands
7. Resource Use Patterns and Management Systems
8. Biophysical, Social and Economic Impacts of Use
9. Use Sustainability.
From the Paper " The social impacts from the use of forests as a resource are also of major concern. There are many groups in Canadian society whose interests in the forest are based more on long term rather than short-term economic considerations. Included among such groups are aboriginal people, nature based tourism operators, rural water users, ranchers, trappers, small business owners in forest based communities, wilderness users, scientists, artists, educators and future generations of Canadians (Draper, 1998). Governments are expected to manage forests for the long term to benefit all of these people. If this does not happen the implications for these groups of people will be catastrophic. Already land settlement claims are pervasive throughout Canadian courts as aboriginal people attempt to claim the land they require to maintain their culturally distinct lives. "
Abstract This paper discusses the American agriculture industry in general, and the cranberry growing sector in particular. The author explains how cranberry growing affects other agricultural and non-agricultural areas such as economics and cosmetics. In addition, cranberry growing enables the US to penetrate and compete with international markets.
From the Paper "The vitality that characterizes United States agriculture began to develop more than two centuries ago, at the arrival of the Industrial Revolution. From the earliest days of United States History, farming has held a crucial place in the American economy and culture. Farmers play a vital role in any society, but farming has been particularly valued in the United States because farmers were the pinnacle of the economic virtues that Americans to this day hold in high esteem, such as hard work, initiative, and self-sufficiency. Moreover, many Americans found that owning a farm was a ticket that allowed them to participate in the American economic system, Especially immigrants who may have never were given the opportunity to own land and did not have ownership over their own labor or products."
Abstract The following paper discusses the foods that Europeans discovered in the New World that helped them to survive in their voyages and explorations for gold. The fact that many of these foods could be packed so as to sustain them on their return journeys was equally important. In addition, in order to understand how Europeans saw the abundance of food available in the New World, it is necessary to consider some of the basic parameters of life in Europe during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries ? the time in which the New World was being settled by Europeans.
From the Paper "Many things lured Europeans to the New World ? gold, God and glory ? among others. Finding gold made the voyage worthwhile to many as did land beyond measure and the presence of natives that could be both enslaved and saved. But none of this would have been sufficient had the Europeans not found enough to eat here, for even the most gold-enfevered explorer knows that you cannot eat the precious metal."
Abstract This paper examines the systems of management and authority practiced in Australia with regard to organic farming. In order to be considered a registered organic farmer, strict rules need to be followed. This paper discusses these regulations and interviews individual farmers about their reactions and attitudes.
From the Paper "The attitudes that prevail in organic farming in Australia are not surprising if we look to other work on broad dimensions of Australian culture, dimensions that we should certainly expect to see reflected in management style. One such index to cultural dimensions that is widely used is Hofstede's dimensions. Hofstede created a quantitative method for measuring aspects of culture that extend widely across different arenas such as a value for individualism as opposed to collectivism and "masculine" as opposed to "feminine" traits."
The following paper discusses the climate of the U.S.A. and Canada, with respect to the climate classifications, its effects on farming and other activities.
Abstract This essay discusses how climate governs the entire ecological structure of the planet earth. The author examines how climate, in relation to the topography and latitudinal location, determines the vegetative types, the hydrology, soil, agriculture, and various human activities.
From the Paper "Climate represents a long term average of various weather features such as temperature and precipitation. The World Meteorological Organization uses 30-year averages to define climatological "normals" for these various features. Climate determines how resources such as water and vegetation are distributed and, until the onset of technology, climate also determined where people lived and worked. Many factors, such as topography, proximity to large bodies of water, and latitude affect a particular location's long-term climate. It is important to note that because a region's climatology is a 30-year average, significant year to year variability is likely. For example, a particular location may have a dry, warm winter one year and a record snowfall the next year"
Abstract A humorous and entertaining essay on home plant care. The author touches on several ways one can ensure the death of plants.
From the Paper "As most everyone knows, the death of a house plant is a common occurrence. Many of us have experienced this loss, although some more often than others. While ignorance can be claimed in most cases, there are some of us who purchase houseplants with the soul intention of killing them."
Abstract This paper examines the potential financial and social benefits that free trade would have on Nicaragua's coffee bean farmers. The paper shows that free trade coffee in Nicaragua is an important part of ensuring the livelihood of the Nicaraguan coffee grower and the continuation of the coffee industry. The paper provides a brief history of this coffee growing industry and economic statistics.
From the Paper "On the average Saturday afternoon in Bellevue, WA, the door of the Starbucks at Lohemans Plaza is almost impossible to get through- not because there is a rush on frappiccinos or lattes, but because protestors are blocking the entrance (Ahlers 2002). This small yet dedicated group of protestors is disappointed in many aspects of Starbucks business practices, yet their major problem lies with the issue of fair trade. While this phenomenon is not a common occurrence throughout the country, awareness of fair trade practices, specifically in the coffee industry, has caught the attention of political activists of all ages."
Abstract The paper explores the dangers of genetically engineered food products in the marketplace. It traces activities of anti-genetic engineering groups and their relationship with biotech corporations. Legal and political implications of the industry are also studied.
From the Paper "The new biotechnology of genetic engineering initiates thoughts of a glow in the dark bunny, plants that eat poison, plants that contain pesticides and some medicines. New cures for diseases or solutions to problems that plague the world, such as starvation, are the promises made by the many supporters of this technology. However, many people are skeptical, because they know little of the potential side effects it may have on the people who eat or use the genetically modified products. An article printed in the Christian Science Monitor entitled "Europe Invites Biotech Debate" by Peter Ford on September 11, 2001, explains the position of the public and the European Commission concerning genetically modified products while keeping his view of the issue from influencing the way that he writes. Karen Charman, on the other hand, lets her views of government control give her a clear agenda as to how she states the United States? position in this debate in her article, ?Spinning Science into Gold.? Comparing the biotech issues between ?Spinning Science into Gold,? and ?Europe Invites Biotech Debate,? one sees that, unlike European nations, corporations in the United States maintain exclusive control over genetically engineered products. Clearly there is a need for government intervention to regulate corporations."
Abstract The technology of converting of food into fuel (bio fuel) is examined in this paper. The chemical process is explained and the various forms of food that could possibly be used, are listed. The advantages and disadvantages of such a process are discussed and environmental considerations provided.
From the Paper "Research shows that several types of vegetable oils are applicable for diesel engine work, such as canola, coconut, peanut, corn, cottonseed, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean oil. Both pure and waste oils are applicable, known as Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) and Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO), based on local abundance and preference of each region. It also opens opportunities to use animal fat as the substitute of the oils."
Abstract This paper analyzes how forest fires are started, who is the most affected by them, how they may be prevented and whose responsibility it is for preventing them in the United States.
From the Paper "The sudden increase of fires has caused the authorities to take preventive measures to control this growing problem. If the underbrush is cleared out on a regular basis, many forest fires will be prevented. Other preventions will include installing or building houses and businesses with metal roofs, and installing electronic carbon monoxide monitors that will track smoke. New material for educating students in school about prevention of fires is being researched, and given to the teachers. If every home and business created a defensible space, they will have significantly decreased the chances of having a fire."
Abstract This paper analyzes the issues surrounding timber supply in Southern U.S.A. The paper illustrates factors which contribute to timber supply, such as environmental constraints, demographic trends, public opinion, land owner objectives, slope, water availability, lack of access roads, urbanization, urban sprawl, and stands which are too small to harvest in an economically profitable manner. The paper brings another factor to be considered, that being that many municipalities have restrictions that do not allow timber harvest within their boundaries.
From the Paper "The subject of NIPF land has received much attention from both the academic world and the United States Government. Recent studies indicate that the demand for timber will overtake that supply sometime before 2020. Extensive studies have been conducted in the southern states concerning the motivation behind usage of NIPF land, its impact on the regional economy and environmental factors. The counties chosen for this study are the counties, which had the highest reported income from forest products in 2000. (Mix, 2000). The six counties chosen were Clarke, Marengo, Pickens, Monroe, Hale and Wilcox. These counties located in highly forested areas and have a high amount of NIPF land. "
Abstract This paper examines how the concept of farming and agriculture first became an organized practice about 10,000 years ago. It looks at how the practice developed over time and how technological advancements of the past changed the face of agriculture altogether. The paper shows that previously farming was a one person operation, but how, through the development of certain tools, methods and ideas, the communal farming effort took hold.
From the Paper "What is technology, and how does agriculture fit in with the concept of technology? Technology as applied science and engineering clearly presents a relevant but limited view. It is, perhaps, a better definition of 'technique'. The notion that what designers do with technology is to simply apply scientific knowledge would be to misunderstand both what science and technology is. While the issue of science will be addressed below, suffice it to say that because design cannot be value free, neither can technology in the hands of a designer. Missing are the realm of consciousness and judgment; value and 'will' remain untouched. However, it takes a combination of will, curiosity, and perhaps just the ability to notice something another did not know in order to introduce a new type of technology into the world. This proves to be true of one of the greatest technological inventions of all time; agriculture. While who invented agriculture is a bit hazy, scientists do feel that women were the first to notice the natural process about 10,000 years ago. As soon as humans began to form permanent settlements and gave up wandering in search of food, agriculture was born."
Abstract A reaction to the Hosansky article on Farm Subsidies in the "CQ Researcher" which discusses the Farm Bill implemented by President Bush on May 13 2002. The author illustrates how although the report contained sufficient information on the issue, it had an inward-looking bias and did not adequately emphasize the global impact of the U.S. Farm Bill. Furthermore the report is said to lack an international perspective of the issue and does not take a clear-cut stand on the merits or demerits of Farm Subsidies.
From the Paper "The signing into law of the US Farm Bill in May 2002 has serious and profound international implications. These effects have only been mentioned in passing by the author and have not been analyzed or explained in sufficient depth. For example, the subsidies that have been built into the Bill (a massive 70% hike over the current levels) would result in overproduction of such food products as corn, wheat, cotton, rice and soybeans. This would drive down the market prices of these commodities and create huge surpluses in the United States. These products would then be exported to the poor countries of the world where the farmers cannot possibly compete with such low prices."
A basic summary of all the available methods of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that can be used to combat the pest "Hemlock Woolly Adelgid" (Tsuga canadensis) which attacks the Eastern Hemlock tree.
Abstract This paper focuses on the ways to combat the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. It goes into detail for all methods of IPM that are available, including chemical, cultural, and biological. There is also details about the Hemlock plant and the uses for them and why we need to save them from this adeglid.
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Adelges tsugae Information
Value and Use Impacts
Monitoring/Detection
IPM Methodologies ? Chemical Control
IPM Methodologies ? Cultural Control
IPM Methodologies ? Biological Control
Summary & Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendices
From the Paper "When you think of great trees for the landscape, one of the main ones you think of is the Eastern Hemlock. They are great for their ornamental aspects like drooping branches and delicate needles, their ability to get 60 to 70 feet tall and live for up to 600 years (Dirr 1998). According to Michael Dirr in his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Tsuga canadensis is "the most commonly planted of the hemlocks" and "one of our best evergreens" (Dirr 1998). If you have ever seen one of these plants, you really cannot argue with what Dirr has said."
