Abstract This paper describes the effects that the brown tree snake had on the wildlife of Guam. The brown tree snake, accidentally imported to Guam shortly after World War II, appeared all over the island and ended up killing several species of the native forest birds that lived in Guam. This paper is a historical description of the development of the brown tree snake as a plague. It details the origin of the Brown Tree Snake and the terrible effects it had on the island of Guam. Moreover, this paper shows the environmental effects on the development of the Island.
From the Paper "Determining the number of animal species existing on the island of Guam prior to the arrival of humans has presented a distinct difficulty. From archeological excavations on the nearby island of Rota, scientists have determined that the original human colonists' domesticated animals extirpated many species thousands of years ago (Chiszar et al1997). World War II "subjected" Guam to naval bombardment so severe that some artillery fire leveled some forests (Chiszar et al 1997). After the war, extensive seeding of the island took place with an exotic legume (Leucaena leucocephala.) It permanently replaced native trees over vast areas (Chiszar et al 1997). The fauna of Guam seemed stable until the 1960's. At this time Wildlife authorities noticed the entire absence of birds from the southern one-third of the island. The boundary of the absence of birds seemed to be moving steadily northward. Birds were missing from the southern two-thirds of the island by the end of the 1970's (Enbring & Ramsey 1983). Thirteen years later, in 1983, all 10 forest species occurred concurrently only in 160 ha of mature forest beneath the cliff line at the northern tip of Guam, with a few species still occupying parts of the northern plateau (Savidge 1987). The early 1980's reveals many factors blamed for the decline in Guam's forest birds. Disease, pesticides, habitat loss, hunting, and introduced species evolve as the major suspect reasons. Elimination of the forest's mosquitoes that possibly harbor avian malaria or avian pox brought an influx of pesticide usage. During World War II to the-mid 1970's, the military used pesticides such as DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons to kill the mosquitoes (Enbring & Ramsy 1983). Pesticides might have caused declines in the past; therefore, it cannot be ruled out as a cause for the earlier reed-warbler extinction (Reichel et al 1992). Tests conducted in 1981 indicate low pesticide levels on Guam. Pesticides probably were not responsible for the current declines of forest birds (Reichel et al 1992). The years since 1945 have witnessed an increase in weedy species, though substantial native habitat remains in southern and northern Guam. Birds have disappeared from forests that previously supported healthy bird populations (Savidge 1987)."
Tags: biogeography, birds, brown, introduced, island, snake, Guam, species, treeWorld, War, II, forest
This paper explains how wildlife management and ecological restoration are thought to be the same concept, but their objectives and goals are often very different.
Abstract This paper uses the San Marcos Springs ecosystem and its endangered species as an example of how wildlife management and ecological restoration may seem to compliment each other but, actually they are seeking out different goals. It explains that in order to preserve the endangered native species, all of current species located in the ecosystem must be considered.
From the Paper "Wildlife conservation and management have been called the art and science of managing wildlife species, habitats, and ecosystems for long-term human benefit. The first system of wildlife conservation was an Eastern rather than a Western idea, developed by the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire (Smith 1976). Although the art of managing wildlife is centuries old, the science is relatively new and is becoming increasingly important all the time. However, science is only part of how we view and manage our wildlife resources. Social, cultural, political, and legal constraints and issues often have more to do with how wildlife resources are managed than pure science. Understanding these constraints and issues is fundamental to conservation and management. J. B. Kauffman (1997) stated that a successful ?conservation programme cannot be based on a preoccupation with saving the animal itself. Its total environment must be preserved.? This type of forward thinking helped change the idea of single species conservation and gave rise to the concept of restoration ecology."
Abstract This paper describes Chicago and New York City's revolutionary skyscraper architecture. It explains the history of each city and emphasizes their development and planning. The paper illustrates each city's history relating to its grid and individual events and explains how the skyscraper came into existence in each city and changed our urban world. The paper use historical illustrations and maps along with the written essay to describe the growth of skyscrapers in both cities
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. City Planning
III. Chicago's Early City Planning
IV. New York City's Early City Planning
V. How Skyscraper Height Evolved
VI. Skyscrapers in Chicago
VII. Skyscrapers in New York City
VIII. Skyscrapers Take Form
IX. Chicago's Interior Form
X. New York City's Interior Form
XI. A Final Thought
XII. Bibliography
XIII. Picture References
From the Paper "Architecture is an interesting art form due to its strong ties with the construction industry, which in turn a product of the socioeconomic behavior of a society. One of the grandest architectural accomplishments is the design and completion of a superstructure, known as the skyscraper. Since the turn of the century, the city fabric of two American cities, Chicago and New York City, have been involved in a heated race towards the sky. These superstructures continue to grow in size and in number due to advances in materials, structural designs, and technology. The function of the skyscraper is to serve as a commercial purpose. As these buildings cast heavy shadows over the busy city landscape, people notice their dominance and power. To the general public, big is good; in terms of building, the taller the better. Many people agree, as well as deny, that the skylines of Chicago and New York City are similar. To expose which acquisition is true, one first needs to discover how the skylines of these two cities have developed."
Tags: building, chicago, cities, city, construction, design, elevator, evolution, frame, general, grid, height, history, layout, materials, modern, new, religion, skyline, skyscraper, steel, structure, superstructure, support, technology, york
Abstract This paper addresses the issue of rapidly diminishing national boundaries in an increasingly globalized community. The author suggests a cosmopolitan model as a possible solution.
From the Paper "Our world is in a continuing state of change. This change is evident on various levels and has harbored itself most prominently in the vessel of political communities. As our global community pushes for a faster, simpler, more efficient way of life, we find ourselves face to face with various nation-states across the globe. We are witnessing the melding together of national communities on an international level as issues continue to break through the confines of national agenda and pose themselves as threats to the vital planetary interest. Globalization has become a major player in today's political forum and the changes it has spurred necessitate a reevaluation of our present democratic system."
This paper examines the ongoing debate between those who support the oil industry and those who wish to protect the Alaskan coastal plains from being drilled in search of oil.
Abstract This paper summarizes the argument against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the basis of damage that would be caused to the environment and the wildlife inhabiting the region. The topic is connected to the events of September 11th which nearly allowed the Republicans to push through an emergency Energy Security Bill, allowing for the extraction of oil from the ANWR.
From the Paper "In the past 10 months many people have claimed that the world as we knew it a year ago has been profoundly and irreversibly transformed with the events of September 11th, 2001. Others have attacked these claims as being yet another example of American ethnocentrism and egocentricity: the world has not changed, the USA simply got a taste of reality. However, whether the United States was living in a sheltered state of denial in which true poverty, destruction and war never found a home on its shores, or whether the world truly has changed entirely, is a subject for a different debate and a different paper."
Abstract This essay examines the safety of nuclear power plants in the event of attack. It looks at the safety features included in the design of a nuclear reactor and discusses the ability of those features to withstand an actual air attack. Expert opinions and test information are given.
From the Paper "In light of the Al-Qaeda's most recent weapon of choice used in New York and Washington D.C., more needs to be done to protect our nuclear power plants from an air attack. Mohamed ElBaradei who is the Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency was quoted in the December 2001 issue of Nuclear Engineering International when addressing the UN General Assembly in New York as saying, ?the terrorist attacks on September 11 had [have] been a wake up call to the industry that more could and should be done to bolster security."
Tags: boeing, commission, containment, crystal, flight, fuel, iodide, jet, ki, nrc, path, plane, pool, postassium, radiation, reactor, regulatory
Abstract This paper presents an in-depth look at the water toxins and the way they affect the ecosystem as a whole. The writer takes the reader on an exploratory journey through the ecosystem and the way it works. Then it discusses the way water toxins and pollution are destroying the system by killing the marine organisms. Finally, it concludes that in the future it will be imperative to find ways to thwart the water toxins affects.
From the Paper "Because we have lived on this planet for millions of years, we have come to rely on its ability to support and sustain human and animal life indefinitely. The world survives by way of an ecosystem and that system is the core of all living things. For many years now scientists have warned that our cavalier attitude toward preservation of the eco system will cause it to begin breaking down, however, their warnings often fell on deaf ears. Now it is time to pay the piper. Recently scientists have begun to take a close look at the cycles of life and the way they are intertwined in the ecosystem. There is strong evidence that toxins are destroying the ecosystem because the abundance and diversity of marine organisms is rapidly declining(Liat pp 142)."
Abstract A look at various studies on the environment and preservation which have been performed over the past two centuries. This paper looks at how certain items were considered safe and environmentally friendly fifty years ago and how today they are considered to be cancer-causing. The question is asked whether future studies will disprove what has been discovered today.
From the Paper "The earth has been around for millions of years. It would be an understatement to say that the earth's environment has gone through many changes since its crude beginnings. The earth is in a state of continual change, species come and go, land forms rise and disappear, even the composition of the atmosphere changes over time. Man's influence on the environment is a relatively modern one by earth's standards, yet in our short time here, we have changed the environment more than any other species has in the past. It would be an act of arrogance for human beings to say that they truly understand all of the complexities of the earth's environment. We only recently started studying the environment and in particular, our effects upon it, during the last two hundred years. We have a long way to go in understanding the complexities of the earth's environment."
Abstract A look at why the Green Movement has failed in creating mass hype due to the limitations put forth by increasing conflict between humans and nature at a global level, the prevailing value of rationalization in society today, scientific uncertainty and the lack of a collective goal. The paper shows that the ramification of this is reflected in the inability of today's society to change the existing attitudes and actions towards the natural world and its resources.
From the Paper "The Green Movement is an ecological organization that aims to change both the current abusive ideas and actions of humans towards nature. In light of the green theory of value, which holds humans should be interconnected with nature, the Green movement views human agency as the ultimate force that will lead to transformation at respectively, the individual, collective, institutional and structural levels of society. Numerous supporters have called for increased participation through certain social classes, decentralization of resources (political, economical, educational and/or social), and through common sense based on a universal ideology. The Green Movement, however, fails to attract widespread participation by not only the masses, but large-scale institutions themselves, due to the limitations put forth by increasing conflict between humans and nature at a global level, the prevailing value of rationalization in society today, scientific uncertainty and the lack of a collective goal. The ramification of this is reflected in the inability of today's society to change the existing attitudes and actions towards the natural world and its resources."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the problem of homeless people in Florida. It provides a thorough outline of numbers and locations of the homeless and analyzes trends of increased figures in certain areas. It then discusses the causes of this phenomena and examines what resources are available in order to help alleviate this problem. It looks at sources available from the state, charities and federal reserves.
Table of Contents
Introduction and Demographics
Causes
Resources ?Federal, State, Local
Needs
Closing
From the Paper "The state of Florida is faced with a serious crisis in which there is no easy solution. The state is currently failing to provide adequate shelter and affordable housing for its rapidly increasing homeless population.
According to the Department of Children and Families' most recent Florida Annual Report on Homeless Conditions in Florida, approximately 67,600 people are homeless on the streets of Florida on any given night. The same report reveals that there are 228 shelters throughout Florida that have a total of 8,561 available beds for homeless people, and an additional 11,122 beds are provided by transitional housing facilities. This means that the state of Florida is currently able to serve less than 30 percent of its homeless on a temporary basis. Permanent housing opportunities are even harder to come by."
Abstract This paper examines three issues which would assist in the recycling process. The first suggestion is that all beverage containers be re-usable, the second suggests that all household and businesses sort their garbage into separate containers; and the third issue suggests that consumers pay for plastic bags at the supermarket. The advantages of each of these issues are discussed.
From the Paper "There are a multitude of benefits to be gained from requiring that all beverage containers be reusable. First, refillable or reusable beverage containers greatly reduce our impact on the environment without extra cost. As long as they achieve a certain number of refills or 'trips' (i.e., generally around 10) to at least overcome the impact of their initial production, refillables reduce waste, minimize the use of materials and energy, and reduce pollution and litter. This is because the overall impact of a container is shared amongst each of its many refills."
Abstract A review of public policy issues surrounding homelessness, including history, Internet research and interviews with homeless people in a shelter in Cambridge, MA. It also discusses the lessons that can be learned from the moderately successful Massachusetts programs of the early eighties, and the lack of public interest in this issue, especially elite public interest.
From the Paper "Homelessness was first addressed in the early 1980's in reaction to the visibly increased homeless population, but interest has steadily decreased since government action was initially taken over a decade ago. In reevaluating public policy options, it is important to examine the causes of the problem and delegate authority to those best suited to solving it. Lessons can be learned from the moderately successful Massachusetts programs of the early eighties, but in order for that pluralistic model to work, public interest must be created by an elite source."
Tags: boston, cambridge, homeless, homelessness, interviews, massachussets, policy, public
Abstract "Las Colonias" are comprised of Mexican immigrants whose dreams were shattered when they realized the promise of the "American Dream" was merely a myth. This paper looks at the hazards of the drinking water in this region, and the government's policy in treating this problem. It analyzes whether the treatment is different because it is aimed at an immigrant population group.
From the Paper "When we speak of Third World countries, the vision that comes to mind is usually that of impoverished, yet geographically distant communities, which are a supplemental concern to issues in our own country. However within the United States, Third World conditions exist that affect not only the indigent communities, but the surrounding communities as well. One of the most notable of these is the area along the U.S.-Mexican border known as "Las Colonias"."
Tags: border, drinking, hazard, latinos, mexicans, poverty, safety, texas, water
Abstract The following paper examines the research provided on atmospheric depletion and its relationship to the survival of humanity. Issues like the greenhouse effect and ozone crisis are discussed. The writer feels strongly towards the serious danger from the pollution that is regularly released into the air and discusses, briefly, ways in which to halt the destructive process.
From the Paper "One way we are destroying our atmosphere is by releasing carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide makes up part of a natural cycle of carbon involving the atmosphere, land, sea, and plant life (Neal 10). So what is the problem if CO2 is there naturally already? Carbon dioxide makes up a very tiny part of our atmosphere, representing approximately 0.035 percent (Neal 10). 0.035 percent seems insignificant, but consider that a rise of about 0.06 percent changes our atmosphere dramatically (Neal 10). Carbon dioxide is released into the air every time a fossil fuel is burned (Neal 11). Approximately two hundred years ago, the industrial revolution sparked an increase in the burning of the fuels (Neal 11). In fact, my grandparents reside in a small town in South Western Pennsylvania called Allison. This is one of a cluster of small towns in that region. I think that it is safe to say that about eighty percent of the homes in Allison rely on coal as the primary source of heat. Thank goodness for trees and other plants that takes in carbon dioxide and replaces it with oxygen. There lies another problem, though. See, there are not enough trees left on Earth to off set even a small increase in carbon dioxide because rain forests are rapidly disappearing."
Abstract The author of the paper shows that "The End of Nature" by Bill McKibben is not a science fiction book, although many people would like it to be. He shows instead that It is a serious examination of the very serious issues confronting humanity today and what those issues promise for our future. In short, the paper shows that this is a book that deals honestly and in a straightforward manner with the survival of humanity on this planet and how we arrived at this point.
From the Paper "In taking responsibility for what we have done to Nature, we are admitting that Nature is something we have control over. It is no longer some separate wild thing. It is not a world apart that we must adapt to. So when Mr. McKibben says we have ended Nature what he is really talking about it that we have deconstructed the idea of Nature as a separate thing, distinct for humanity, over which we have only limited control. The nature we have ended was just an idea (pp. 48-9)"
