Why the Beaver Should Thank the Wolf Author:Mary Ellen Hannibal Date:9/28/12 Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/opinion/the-world-needs-wolves.html?ref=endangeredandextinctspecies

This is a wolf found in Wyoming. The wolf is a large predator. 

This article talks about the shrinking number of large predators, and in particular, wolves. A group of environmental nonprofits said that they would challenge the governments removal of Endangered Species Act protections for the wolves in Wyoming. The wolf population is low in Wyoming and many people hunt the wolves, so it is likely that their numbers will continue to drop. If wolves become extinct, or there become very few of them, then many other organisms would struggle to survive. When the wolf was nearly extinct vegetation suffered because of overgrazing. In spite of the beaver being a source of food for the wolf, they actually benefited from the growing wolf population because vegetation provided more food for them. Scientists call this sequence of impacts down the food chain a trophic cascade. It is important that humans help conserve animals by having parks such as Yellowstone to provide a barrier, and taking care of the environment.

I agree with the group of environmental nonprofits because I believe people should help animals since the trophic cascade affects humans as well. Every organism helps another organism so if anyone was removed from the food chain it would affect everyone. Humans should make space for parks and natural environments where animals can be left undisturbed.

1)Do you think the government should have removed Endangered Species Act protections for the wolves? Explain. 

2) How do you think people can help prevent mass extinctions?

3)What do you think would happen if a lot of the world's large predators became extinct? 

Trophic Levels and Food Webs

Title:

Trophic Level

Author:

Wikipedia.org

Publication:

Science Daily (www.sciencedaily.com/articles/t/trophic_level.htm)

Date:

September 26, 2012


This is a trophic pyramid. This shows the trophic levels of the organisms above (grass, rabbit, snake, and eagle). 

Summary:

What eats an organism and what an organism eats determines where its level is on the trophic level, or where the organism is on the food chain. All ecosystems have a “base” where all food chains begin. Plants, which receive energy from the sun, are always the “base” because they do not need to eat another organism to receive energy to produce sugars and oxygen. All plants need is sunlight. Once an organism eats the plant, 10% of the energy from the plant is passed to the organism that ate it. The other 90% is lost due to heat, body temperature, etc. Once the primary consumer, or herbivore, eats the plant, sooner or later, a secondary consumer, or carnivore, will eat the herbivore. Then, only 10% of the herbivore’s energy is transferred to the carnivore. Sometimes, there can be several intermediate links, which then eat the carnivore, like a mountain lion eating a bobcat. Trophic levels are never this simple to understand. There is usually more than one organism a predator can eat. They are not tied to one organism. The mountain lion, for example, is another level of predator, a secondary carnivore, that will eat the bobcat and also eat the rabbit (herbivore). A food web is a better term to use to explain most types of ecosystems. Just as with humans, animals have various types of prey that they enjoy eating.

Reflection:

I think that even though trophic levels and food webs can be hard to follow, they help us understand the lifestyle of an ecosystem. Starting with the base to the herbivore to the carnivore (and sometimes secondary carnivores), this complex system works. If the base is eliminated, the chain is broken and may result in the death of organisms. They face the challenges of either moving to another ecosystem or face extinction. Sometimes, it may be for the good, and sometimes it may be for the bad, but this is life. The ecosystems are what keep this world balanced, for all organisms. I am just happy to be on the top of the food chain because I do not want to be eaten anytime soon!

Questions:

 1. Give an example of a food web, not the example in the summary. (Doesn't have to be a pictures, just show arrows in between organisms)

 2. Are you a carnivore(meat) or herbivore(no meat)? Explain why.

 3. Where does most of your energy come from? What organisms?

 4. Do you believe that ecosystems should be protected? 

waring climate and ocean water

title: 

Warming Climate, Changing Ocean Chemistry Threatens Seafood-Dependent Countries

author:

Molly Peterson

publication: 

Alex Cohen & A Martinez

date:

9-24-12

picture

This is a picture of a fish eating coral. Coral feeds many fish.

Summary

All around the world there are countries where the people rely  on fish for their main staple. Environmental changes due to Global Warming have effected the supply of fish available to people.   In the carbon cycle there is a portion of the cycle where the carbon in the air and the carbon in the water exchange. The PH levels change when you add more carbon. When this happens the acid in the water increases. More than normal acid levels can soften coral. The soften coral makes a poor food source for fish and other sea animals. Coral is a place where many fish can feed. High acid also makes mollusks shells weaker. The Island of Maldives is very  effected by a drop in fish available to them due to the lack of food caused by a change in the PH levels and soft coral.   Near the Persian Gulf lots of people fish to feed the people in their communities. They are greatly impacted by this environmental change.

Reflection

I am not a big fish eater but I have never known that there were people that fish was mainly all they ate. I think that it is really sad that a lot of people would have to find something else to eat if they could no longer get fish. This type of problem threatens people's ability to survive.   I think as a whole world we should try to use energy wisely to help limit damage to the earth. I also believe we should look for fuel alternatives that do not damage the earth or at least limit the damage to the earth.

 Question

1.  How do humans contribute to all the carbon in the air?

2. Is it fair to the countries are impacted by decreased fish supply due to Global Warming even though they may not contribute to the causes of Global Warming?

3.  Is there a way to reverse this? If so what is it?

4. Do you think that over fishing can also cause this problem?