Abstract
The paper reviews past and present literature on microbial diversity, bio-geochemistry and how they are interrelated. The paper provides a short overview on diversity and the aquatic ecosystem and reviews some of the new techniques in measuring microbial diversity as well as some of the disadvantages of these techniques. The paper discusses the biogeochemical processes and presents studies that link diversity to the overall functioning of the system.

Outline:
Introduction
Biodiversity
Aquatic Ecosystem
Measurement of Microbial Diversity
Trophic Interactions in Aquatic Systems
Biogeochemical Cycling
Diversity and Aquatic System Functioning

From the Paper
"Although microorganisms are barely visible in the aquatic system, they play a very important role in the processes occurring in the system be it in the food web or in nutrient cycling of the system, also called biogeochemical cycle. According to Kiorboe (1993), the majority of the biological activity in pelagic systems are performed by microorganisms smaller than 100 m. Larger organisms, on the other hand, play a very minor role in the nutrient and energy cycling of the system."

Tags:ecosystems, microorganisms, biogeochemical, cycle

Abstract
This paper argues that the large-scale diversion of food-crops towards bio-fuels is an ill-advised move that could have catastrophic consequences against little gain. The paper reveals that the large-scale diversion of food crops such as corn for producing ethanol has resulted in sky-rocketing food prices around the world. The paper also discusses the indirect effects of producing ethanol that arguably results in greater emission of carbon-dioxide as large forested areas, particularly in the Amazon, are cleared for growing crops. The paper argues further that corn-based ethanol is an unviable proposition, mainly because the ethanol would anyway only fulfill a minuscule amount of the total gasoline requirement in the country. The paper therefore concludes that producing corn-based ethanol is simply not worth the human suffering and environmental damage it can cause.

Outline:
Rising Grain and Food Prices
Effect on the Amazon
Corn-based Ethanol is Unviable
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Barely a couple of years ago bio ethanol fuel was the undisputed 'darling' of environmentalists and government policy makers alike. It was being touted as a clean and renewable alternative to fossil fuels that would tame the galloping oil prices, cure the United State's 'addiction' to imported oil, and control the on-going global warming threatening the world's environment. The overenthusiastic proponents of bio-fuels had obviously not catered for the unintended consequences of an untried policy. The large-scale diversion of food crops such as corn for producing ethanol has resulted in sky-rocketing food prices around the world, and precipitated the worst food crisis in decades."

Tags:grain, food, prices, agriculture, Amazon, environment, energy

Abstract
This essay addresses the question of what evolution is, and how natural selection strengthens some specioes, eliminates others, and how natural selection is a viotal part of bio-diversity. Sex becomes the driving force that moves evolutionary genes from one generation to the next, but genetic drift can cause problems because of the lack of outside additions to the basic population gene pool.

From the Paper
NATURAL SELECTION It is too simple just to say that "evolution" is merely the survival of the fittest. Actually, going back to the beginning of life on Earth, evolution is the survival of the most adaptable. There are still people today who will argue about the validity of the theory of Darwin about evolution. The orthodox Evangelical Christians cling to their belief that the world is lonely a few thousand years old, that Man was created whole by the Almighty, and that man existed alongside the dinosaurs. The mechanism of evolution, at least in terms of appearance and survival is based on adaptability to the changing patterns of Nature. Fish became

Tags:evolution, dna, gene drift

Abstract
This paper explains that several conspiracy and the 'New World Order' theories, on the surface, may be considered as harmless, but, when evaluated in the light of their messages, may become quite menacing. The author states that, in its simplest definition, globalization is a social change, which brings about increased connectivity among societies; but, citizens, especially in lesser-developed parts of the world, see big businesses demolishing labor rights, environmental concerns and feminism and destroying entire cultures of indigenous people and decimating bio-diversity and cultural diversity.
Table of Contents
Introduction
New World Order, One World Governments, Conspiracy Theories, and Secret Societies
Economic Globalization
Analysis

From the Paper
"The term 'New World Order' was first used, not as a political nomenclature, but by Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, in his Most Holy Book. Woodrow Wilson first widely used the phrase following World War I and during the formation of the League of Nations." Since then, numerous politicians have used the term as a generic term referring to a worldwide conspiracy, by a select and powerful group of the world's highest echelons of society. This group of the world's wealthiest people, top political leaders, and top corporate elite, has one goal, to strip societies of all nationalistic and regional boundaries and create a One World Government, which they solely control. It is a belief among apocalyptic religious and a variety of political groups that a conspiracy exists for world domination.

Tags:conspiracy, village, reality, cuture, lesser-developed

Abstract
This paper first relates, that, in addition to suffering from having few natural resources, being hampered by a history of colonialism and being located in an earthquake and volcanic zone, El Salvador also has failed to correct its continuing environmental problems. The paper then proceeds to review the country's environmental problems of devastating deforestation, soil erosion and infertility, water pollution, contamination from toxic wastes and the loss of bio-diversity. The paper suggests ways that El Salvador can correct its environmental problems so that it can prosper.

From the Paper
"In addition, soil erosion and infertility are quite prevalent in El Salvador. These problems stem mostly from poor agricultural practices. Farmers typically use a "slash and burn" farming method, which consists of cutting and burning down forests in order to use the areas for agriculture. This method destroys all vegetation and leaves the surrounding soil vulnerable to extreme erosion. Unfortunately, since it is becoming more and more difficult to find land that is suitable for cultivation, farmers have no choice but to do this. Farming is their livelihood and quite frankly they will do anything to survive."

Tags:farming, timber exploitation, overcrowding, civil war, international grant and loan programs

Abstract
The author first gives a brief overview of the entire study and then goes on to describe the importance of the plants to maintain the great lakes, the ecosystem and the bio diversity in them. In the next three sections, the author selects separate plants that are of high importance and describes the benefit of them to the ecosystem and the great lakes and then goes on to analyze the significance of the role that they play. The final section of the document then summarizes the findings and recaps all the main details that have been stated throughout the document.

From the Paper
"In this document the author studies the importance of aquatic plants to the survival of the great lakes in eastern North America. The author first gives a brief overview of the entire study and then goes on to describe the importance of the plants to maintain the great lakes, the eco system and the bio diversity in them. In the next three sections the author selects separates plants that are of high importance and describes the benefit of them to the eco system and the great lakes and then goes on to analyze the significance of the role that they play. The final section of..."

Tags:lakes, eastern, plants

Abstract
The writer of this paper explores the negative effects and consequences of the recent population explosion, which include overcrowding, hunger, pollution, deforestation, global warming, crime and the loss of nature's bio diversity. One of the biggest obstacles, due to the increase in the population, is the depletion of the world's fossil fuel resources. The writer stresses the need for stricter environmental guidelines as well as birth rate control regulations. This paper defines the earth's depleting fossil fuel as a broad term for three sources of energy: Petroleum, natural gas and coal. All three were formed millions of years ago during the age of dinosaurs, hence the name fossil fuels. The energy comes from decomposed plant and animal matter. Once these fuels are depleted they cannot be renewed. This paper examines the benefits to the environment in utilizing renewable energy as an alternative to the earth's dwindling fossil fuel reserves. The paper also details various environmentally sound strategies that would aid in preserving the earth's remaining resources.

From the Paper
"Fossil fuel is a broad term for three sources of energy: petroleum, natural gas, and coal. All three were formed millions of years ago during the age of dinosaurs-hence the name fossil fuels. The energy comes from decomposed plant and animal matter. Energy Quest, a major educational service on the World Wide Web describes the origin of fossil fuels: When plants and dinosaurs and other ancient creatures died, they decomposed and became buried, layer upon layer under the ground. It took millions of years to form these layers into a hard, black colored rock-like substance called coal; a thick liquid called oil or petroleum, and natural gas. Petroleum and natural gas are extracted from deep deposits below the Earth's surface."

Tags:energy, sun, population, pollution, environment, sun, fuel, coal

Abstract
This paper examines how modern agricultural mass production has caused a reduction in the number of species used for food. The paper then points out the consequences of crop varieties, a reduction in the capacity of plant life and a reduction in ecosystem equilibrium. The paper recommends that to achieve some semblance of bio-diversity, farmers now must preserve agricultural variety by increasing heritage and heirloom plant products.

From the Paper
"While its technical ingenuity and sophistication cannot be under-estimated, the grim truth is that modern agricultural mass production has caused a reduction in the number of species used for food. Put simply, the modern tendency towards mass production has resulted a situation wherein a mere 15 plant species constitute about 90 percent of the food consumed by humans (Pimentel, 453). Suffice it to say, the desire to optimize production and maximize profit has sparked the massive mass production of a narrow band of foodstuffs; consequently, there has been a progressive deterioration of crop varieties, a reduction in the capacity..."

Tags:agricultural, mass, production

Abstract
This paper describes different types of coral reefs from the Australia's Great Barrier Reef to the small, isolated coral heads sprouting out of sandy or grassy sea bottoms called patch reefs. The paper relates that the loss of coral reefs represents a serious threat to essential bio-diversity. The paper also discusses the many threats to the coral, which are killing them, and the national and international initiatives to save these reefs. I

Table of Contents:
Introduction
What Is Coral
Biological Importance
Economic Benefits of the Coral Reefs
Threats to the Coral Reefs
National Initiatives
International Initiatives

From the Paper
"The term coral is used to refer both to the animal itself and to the cement-like substance it manufactures in its body to build a reef. The animal was long thought to be a plant. In 1726, a French naturalist named Jean Andre Peysonne found that these 'plants' were actually animals belonging to the phylum of coelenterates. Coral is a very simple organism. It has a tiny, transparent, gelatinous body enclosed in a tube with an opening at one end, and around this opening--which functions both as a mouth and as a passage to excrete wastes--is a ring of tiny tentacles ,which gather in the animal's food."

Tags:polyp, starfish, bleaching, caribbean, conservation

Abstract
This essay will examine the debate over the destruction of the tropical rain forests from a number of perspectives. It will be argued that the tropical rain forests, and the bio diverse ecosystems that they support, are of enormous significance to the planet's environment. This being said, it will also be argued that man is an integral feature of this environment, and that the economic systems that define human cultures must therefore be factored into any discussion of viable or sustainable development of the rain forests.