Abstract
Biodiversity or biological diversity is the study of living organisms in relation to the environment. This paper explains that, because Ontario has significant natural resources, there is a growing concern to protect the ecosystems that support all life in the region. Plants animals birds and insects are dependant on the land and waterways within Ontario, and it is up to the current social order to ensure that these elements of the environment are protected.

Tags:canada, biodiversity, ontario

Abstract
Ecosystem engineering is one factor in the realm of ecology, which happens when certain organisms create, alter, and preserve natural habitats. Ecosystem engineering can change significantly modify biodiversity and the distribution and quantity of a large numbers of animals and plants (Jones et al., 1994, 1997; Wright et al., 2002; Lill & Marquis, 2003). Human beings are considered to be ecosystem engineers, however, such engineers also exist in what most consider the natural or animal/organism world.

From the Paper
Running Head: ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS The Ecosystems Engineers that Create and Modify Habitats By Student's Name Student's ID Number March 3, 2008 Introduction The Importance of Ecosystem Engineers Ecosystem engineering is one factor in the realm of ecology, which happens when certain organisms create, alter, and preserve natural

Tags:ecology, autogenic, ecosystem

Abstract
This paper explains that, for millennia, Lake Baikal's ecosystem has flourished in total isolation, untouched by the human population. Unfortunately, today, this precious Siberian ecozone is feeling the negative effects of human abuse. The author points out that the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM), one of the region's oldest functioning industries (around 40 years), is the major polluting source because it exploits an old and highly dangerous method of bleaching pulp by using chlorine. The paper relates that, over the last decade, world environmentalists have helped improve the situation and limited the damage to the delicate ecosystem, but a coordinated effort from the Russian and Mongolian governments is indispensable for tackling this environmental crisis.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Lake Baikal
Importance of Lake Baikal
Environmental Effects (Air and Water Pollution)
The BPPM
Mineral Mining Plants
Conservation Projects
Baikal Watch and Baikal Environmental Wave
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The biological importance of Lake Baikal is evident from the UNESCO declaration of Lake Baikal as a world heritage site and "the most outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem". The range of climatic conditions within the surrounding areas of the lake has contributed to a rich variety of plant life in the region. While the Coniferous forests occupy the western regions, pine forests are common in the eastern areas and deciduous forests predominate the northern region. The fauna found in the lake is amongst the most diverse in the world with more than 255 amphipod species and 80 types of flatworms. The epishura, a tiny crustacean is the natural cleaning mechanism for the lake as it consumes all the decaying matter in the water. The most important and the only mammal species in the lake is the endemic Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica)."

Tags:isolation, bleaching, forest, seal, coordination

Abstract
This paper discusses two topics related to ecosystems and biodiversity. The first relates to methods to promote conservation of ecosystems. The second pertains to current and ancient populations of kangaroos in Australia and how these populations are related due to alleles and gene flow.

From the Paper
"The continued loss of biodiversity continues to be a problem. Biodiversity equates to the variety of life and its processes indifferent ecosystems. To conserve biodiversity is to maintain and enhance that capacity of the habitat to support a variety of life. There are a number of methods for conserving biodiversity. Government, grassroots and individual efforts to protect sensitive habitats from degradation or conversion to other uses is one method especially for dwindling habitats like grasslands, wetlands, forests and others..."

Tags:population, contraception, phenotype, DNA, genetic drift, evolution, climate change, drought, food supply, habitat, wetlands, grasslands

Abstract
Of all the forests in the world the rain forests are the most diverse and are being destroyed at the greatest rate. Rainforests cover only about 5% of earth, but they contain 50% of her species. This paper discusses the importance of Forests and shows that Forests are the most valuable eco-systems in the world, containing over 60 per cent of the world's biodiversity. This paper emphasizes the importance of maintaining this important natural resource and what it means to our environment.

Tags:ecosystems, biodiversity

Abstract
This paper gives a list of the species found in a grasslands ecosystem. The paper presents diagrams of the energy flow in a grasslands ecosystem and of the trophic hierarchy in the system. It then looks at the biodiversity of the system and if it is naturally sustainable.

From the Paper
"Local ecosystem grasslands. List of biotic components: blue grass, black-footed ferret, prickly pear newts, oak skinks, buffalo grass, mountain plover lizards, chestnut, collared longspur frogs and toads, Baird's sparrow prairie kingsnake, ferruginous hawk rattlesnakes, prairie falcon garter snake, burrowing owl water snakes, mallard yellow mud turtle, blue-winged teal, many species of fish, northern pintail nematodes, prairie dogs lepidoptera, bison prairie mole cricket, white-tailed jack rabbit, spharagemon grasshopper, ground squirrels, Ozark snaketail dragonfly, gophers flies, olive-backed pocket mouse amphipods, pocket mouse arachnids, plains harvest mouse beetles, prairie vole leafhoppers, swift fox."

Tags:ecosystem, food web, trophic hierarchy

Abstract
This paper presents a short summary of the freshwater ecosystem. It focuses on the species thriving in freshwater areas, the threats to freshwater biodiversity, and the ways to fight those threats.

Outline
Abstract
What is a Freshwater?
Lakes and Ponds
Rivers and Streams
Wetlands
The Freshwater Environment
Threats to Freshwater Biodiversity
Solutions to the Problem

From the Paper
"Plants and algae are vital to freshwater ecosystems for they provide oxygen and food for the animals in this system. In moving waters, some plants have special characteristics that prevent them from being carried away. Some plants have stems that bend with the flow of moving water, some have strong roots anchored in the soil, while some like mosses can stick to rocks. Meanwhile in still waters, some plants have different ways to adapt. For example, algae, water lilies, and duckweed can float on the surface of the water. Reeds and cattails thrive along the shoreline of freshwater regions. Estuaries are also rich in plant life with the unique characteristic of being able to grow in fresh and salt water. Pickleweed and mangroves are some examples of plants living in estuaries."

Tags:ecology, plants, algae, ponds

Abstract
The paper is a review and synthesis of scientific literature on how nutrient cycling, energy and biodiversity interact with and influence one another and are related to aquatic ecosystem function. The paper reviews some of the new techniques in measuring microbial diversity and some of the disadvantages of these techniques.

From the Paper
"This paper reviews past and present literature on microbial diversity, biogeochemistry and how they are interrelated. The paper starts with a short overview on diversity and the aquatic ecosystem and then moves further to review some of the new techniques in measuring microbial diversity and some of the disadvantages of these techniques. A short discussion of biogeochemical processes follows. Finally, studies that link diversity to the overall functioning of the system are presented."

Tags:microbial, diversity, aquatic

Abstract
This paper provides a review and discussion to determine the biogeography of the rainforest ecosystem, some of the tools needed to study the environment, an examination of the flora and fauna to be found there, and how the food web works. An analysis of the impact of humans on the rainforest ecosystem is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

From the Paper
"In fact, not all rainforests are by definition jungles. Generally speaking, an ecosystem is any community together with its nonliving surroundings (Audesirk 3). The principles underlying the study of ecosystems are based on the concept that all of the elements of a life-supporting environment of any size, whether natural or man-made, are parts of an interrelated network in which each element interacts directly or indirectly with all others and serves to affect the function of the whole as well. All of the ecosystems on Earth are contained within the largest of them, the ecosphere, which encompasses the entire physical Earth (geosphere) and all of its biological components (biosphere) (Ecosystems 5). According to Teresa and Gerald Audesirk, large areas of South America and Africa lie along the equator. "Here the temperature averages between 77 degrees and 86 degrees F with little variation, and rainfall ranges from 100 to 160 inches each year" (921). Rainforests usually occur in regions where there is a high annual rainfall of generally more than 70 inches and a hot and steamy climate. The trees found in these regions are evergreen."

Tags:amazon, autotrophic, biodiversity, brazil

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