Dear Mrs. Cline,
Thank you so much for all of the teachings you have bestowed upon us so far this semester. My biggest challenge so far would be the reading of Bartleby mainly because of the way the story was written. I had problems understanding what was going on. My biggest success i would have to say is probably my grade so far, I'm very pleased with it! The readings so far have been okay it's tough for me to understand some of them because of the way they are written but I still push myself to complete the story. My goals for the second half of the semester are to buckle down and not get relaxed in my studies. I really hope to keep up my grade and to also give the stories extra attention if I continue to struggle with the way the content is written. Thanks so much!
Cody Ofisa
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Winter's Bone
Cody Ofisa
English 102
Mrs. Cline
25 March 2012
Winter’s Bone
The book Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell was a very interesting and intense book. The motif that most stuck out to me was that the people of Ozark were rough neck backwoods type of people who came off hard and selfish but they were quick to help the defenseless. I believe the purpose of Winter’s Bone was to show the world that the poor, uneducated, and backwoods people are not what we stereotype them to be. They have compassion and love just as the upper class people do they just have a different way of showing it. Sixteen year old Ree had to face harsh reality of adulthood and take care of her siblings because her father was a crank dealer and her mother was mentally ill. This book reveals a harsh reality of children who suffer from having a drug addicted parent.
At the age of sixteen most of us are excited about getting our driver’s license and having more freedom away from our parents. We are looking for cheap cars and matching décor for our cars. We have plans that were made years before with our friends of the road trips we want to take and the places we wish to see. Life is bliss and easy. With little responsibility and we too often take advantage of our easy go lucky lives. As for sixteen year old Ree Dolly this was not the case. She was on a man hunt to find her father who had been out on bail and his court date was soon approaching. An officer had informed Ree that her father had put their house up as collateral and were in jeopardy of losing their home. Woodrell writes, “Why I’m here is, his court date is next week and I can’t seem to turn him up. Ree replies ‘Maybe he sees you comin and ducks.’ Deputy Baskin then states ‘Maybe he does. That could be. But where you all come into this, he put this house, here, and those timber acres up for his bond. ”(pg. 14) With her dreams of being in the U.S. Army put on the back burner, she puts herself in dangerous territory as she searches throughout town at local drug dealer hang out spots in search of her father. Dan wrote a review on Daniel Woodrell’s Winter’s Bone at goodreads.com and stated “Ree’s quest for her father is an odyssey into a world of cooking meth, living in shacks or trailers, and eating whatever you can shoot. The backwoods life isn’t pretty and Woodrell shows it warts and all.” (gooodreads)
Director Debra Granik depicts in the movie Winter’s Bone just what you picture when reading the book. Ree and her family live in the back country of the Ozarks in a shack like home, scarce on food for themselves and as well as their animals. Their clothing is tattered and grungy as well as their appearance. Ree and her siblings are not well kept and have no source of transportation other than their own two feet. By the looks of the other children at school and the scenery of the town it is obvious that the area is a poorer area. In an interview with Debra Granik she explains in detail how they made the book come to life in film. She states “Getting things right happened because the people in the community opened their pastures and ponds and backyards and homes. They left the details in place, from ornaments on the fridge to the objects on the kitchen table.” (npr..org) Granik also stated “ We took these new garments, the majority being carhartt jackets, and exchanged them for ones that had been hugely lived in. The coats frays reflected on the person’s work life, and the tears and stresses on the collar were related to the years worn.” (npr.org) The help of the town really brought to life the story. Using real homes and real Ozark residence gave the audience the imagery they wanted when reading the book. Ree seemed to be unhappy and looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was not proper or “lady like” and was forced to be bold and daring. To see the troubles and stress she faced in the book on the big screen really did put the situation into perspective. It also brought to life the lives of children in our country that suffer from these issues on a day to day basis. It was a harsh reality of a look into the drug world and small towns with little to do and little means to provide for their people.
Daniel Woodrell depicts the life of drugs and its affect on children well. Perhaps this is because he himself had an issue with drugs that led to his discharge in the Marines. Woodrell states in an interview with The Independent newspaper, “I liked my fellow marines. I didn’t like pointless orders. After 18 months I got into some drug trouble and they discharged me. ‘Pronounced antisocial tendencies.’ I thought at the height of Vietnam to be labeled antisocial by the marine corps was kind of interesting.” ( The Independent newspaper)
With Woodrell and his wife and kids living in the town described in the book, it makes for easy writing because he is saturated in the environment. His personal experience with drug use as well as his personal experience in Ozark has helped him to bring his reality to life not only in a story but also on the big screen. Reading a story, even if it is fictional, that hits close to home for author never fails for a good story. This book is riveting and jaw dropping. He hit the nail on the head when describing life for Ree and her siblings. A child’s life overtaken and corrupted by drugs has become an epidemic in our society. Woodrell has taken the initiative to expose it for others to see and gain awareness.
Drug abuse has serious affects on the children who are exposed to it by their parents. According to about.com “Children in homes where methamphetamine abuse as overtaken their parents are traumatized by the experience, many times left alone and hungry for days at a time, abused, forced to high themselves, asked to steal and lie to authorities by the hyper and delusion adults in their lives.” (about.com) The danger of this drug is obvious, and when a child is exposed to such a traumatic lifestyle they have difficulty making sense of life and their surroundings. Woodrell portrays Ree perfectly in the book Winter’s Bone as a child victim to a drug addict parent. Her father is in and out of jail and chooses to cook meth rather than working a normal nine to five job to provide for his family. He has selfishly put Ree, her mother, and two younger brothers in jeopardy of losing their home and timber land. This has forced Ree to put herself in danger and her life on hold to provide for his family and salvage what is left of their home. This is sadly reality for many children.
Although Winter’s Bone is a fictional book, it has very non-fiction issues discussed throughout the story. As Woodrell describes the issues Ree and her family faces, we all can relate someone we may know or have heard of to her. The difficult life children are faced with when having a drug addict parent is something no one, especially an innocent child, should have to deal with or even have knowledge about. This drug is lethal and overtakes people’s lives. Families are destroyed and innocence is lost. Daniel Woodrell brought the harsh reality of drug use onto pages for all to read. Where Ree Dolly and her siblings are just fictional characters, children throughout America face their same struggles. Children grow up too quickly and have to learn to fend for themselves because their parents have selfishly abandoned them to get their drug fix.
Work Cited
Woodrell, Daniel. Winter’s Bone. New York: Back Bay Books, 2006. Print
“Daniel Woodrell: The Ozark daredevil.” The Independent. June 16, 2006. Retrieved on March 25, 2012
NPR Staff. “Winter’s Bone director re-creates life in the Ozarks.” June 11, 2010. Retrieved on March 25, 2012.
T., Buddy “A Child Eyes View of Meth Use.” June 29, 2006. Retrieved on March 25, 2012.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Methland
The story Methland was written by Nick Reding. He wrote this story because he thought it was important to make sure as many people as possible knew about the epidemic of meth in small town America. The story takes place in the small town of Oelwein, Iowa, where Nick grew up. Meth was introduced to the world thanks to the Japanese chemist Nagayashi Nagai who marketed the drug as a miracle drug because it allowed you to keep moving. Soldiers and overweight people used the drug and even housewives dabbled in meth to ensure they were being productive.
After reading methland I felt as if I understood more clearly what the characters in Winters Bone experienced on a day to day basis. It is hard to believe that people could let something so dangerous take over their lives and eventually their town. More attention needs to be brought to this epidemic.
For more information on the devestating facts of meth and its affect on its users check out http://arizona.methproject.org/
After reading methland I felt as if I understood more clearly what the characters in Winters Bone experienced on a day to day basis. It is hard to believe that people could let something so dangerous take over their lives and eventually their town. More attention needs to be brought to this epidemic.
For more information on the devestating facts of meth and its affect on its users check out http://arizona.methproject.org/
Unit 2 Compilation
UNIT COMPILATION 2
CHAPTER 6
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Part 1 Forests
WORLD FORESTS
The forest is a very essential part of or world. The forest covers about 60 percent of the world’s landscape. The forests ecosystem is very important to us as a human race because this is where we get wood for paper, household items like bed frames and dressers. Wood as is great for warming up our houses as well. Forests also have a beautiful aroma about them; we share the forest with many animals that depend on the forest for their survival. It is important that us as humans preserve the forests so that at all costs so that it can continue to control water runoff and regulate climates without having devastating affects on the animals that call the forest home.
Boreal and Tropical Forests are Most Abundant
Forests are considered any area that is covered by tress on at least ten percent of the land.
Old Growth Forests are the forests that have not been affected by human contact and that are able to live out a complete life cycle. Unfortunately only about one quarter of forests are Old Growth Forests which means many trees are being cut down before they have had a chance to grow to full length. This is a huge problem because many forests are undergoing deforestation and the animals that call these forests home have to move into unfamiliar territory.
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforest-profile/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Forests Provide Many Valuable Products
In the forests we can find many helpful products wood for household items as well as fuel wood which accounts for half of all global wood. Paper takes up about one fifth of the wood that’s cut down.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/media/mediasearch.fiche?p_lang=en&p_ref=bw0035 picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Tropical Forests are Being Cut Down Fast
Tropical forests are so essential to us but at the same time we are clearing these areas at a very fast rate. Tropical forests are abundant with diverse terrestrial systems. They only account for about ten percent of the earths land surface but they contain about half of all the species in the world. It’s up to us to ensure the deforestation of Tropical forests comes to a halt because we lose an estimated five million to twenty million acres per year.
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/1295 picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Causes of Deforestation
There are many factors that come into play when talking about deforestation. Constructing new home developments causes removal of trees and also building new roads to get around also causes the need to cut down trees. When new roads are created it gives people chances to get back into the deeper part of the woods to fish, hunt and camp which can all have an affect on the landscape.
Forests Protection
Protecting our forests has always been a know fact but it seems that in some places of the world it took longer for them to come around. Costa Rica has a great plan for protecting their forests. While other places such as Brazil is cutting down their trees at a rapid rate. With the mindset of needing to protect our forests we are able to clearly see that we need to rehabilitate the land to make the area useful to us and hopefully bring back the species that naturally live in these areas.
Temperate Forests Are Also at Risk
Temperate forests are being targeted especially in the old growth areas and while in some countries their cutting tools are not as efficient as other countries like the United States which is at battle with itself because of all the questioning people have about the amount of forest being cut down every year.
Harvesting Methods
Clear Cutting is when an area is marked off and all the trees in that area are cut down regardless of their size.
http://www.topicsites.com/save-environment/paper-usage-statistics.htm picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Roads and Logging
While logging is the main source for income in some areas in the United States many people are calling for a stop to logging because of the affects its having on the land as well as recreational events. It’s not likely something like this will happen mainly because the government pays people to fight fires, cut the lumber to sell to the public at lower costs and to manage the forest.
Road Building is Controversial
The cutting of trees to create new logging roads has gotten out of control here in the United States. The forests roads stretch farther than the highways by as much as ten times. Even our last three presidents have gone back and forth with the closure and reopening of allowing forests roads to be cleared. When will we see that this needs to stop so that generations to come will be able to enjoy the great outdoors.
Fire Management
It was not until a series of huge fires burnt down parts of the forest that the United States Government decided to stand up and enforce a policy of fire control. Smokey Bear was introduced and his role was to educate people about the use of proper fire safety when enjoying the essence of the forests. There were ups and downs to regulating the use of fire in the forests because eventually large piles of wood aloud for the chance of a huge fire to spark while some communities relied on fire for living needs.
http://www.futuretimeline.net/21stcentury/2060-2069.htm picture accessed on March 3, 2012
ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
It was not until the 90’s that many Federal Agencies started focusing on the affect that fire had on the ecosystem and started enforcing Ecosystem Management to ensure the longevity of the forests.
Principles of Ecosystem Management
There are many principles when it comes to managing the ecosystem. First we much think of what us as humans need. Then we must figure out how to maintain biological diversity and the processes of essential ecosystems. Finding out how to generate meaningful public involvement is also a process that needs to be figured out by finding out ways through experiments and routine monitoring.
The national Report on Sustainable Forests Contains Elements of Forest Management
There are six different criteria for sustaining the forest and they are.
1. Conserving the biological diversity within the forest.
2. The maintaining of productive space for forest ecosystems to grow.
3. Maintaining a healthy and livable forest ecosystem.
4. Maintaining the health of the soil and water resources.
5. Maintaining the forests role in the global carbon system.
6. Maintaining the longevity of social benefits of the ecosystem to meet the needs of the legal, institutional and economic framework forest life.
Grassland, Parks, Preserves
Grasslands
Grasslands are areas that are usually dominated by human development. Grasslands are one of the most affected areas that get disturbed and the process of Desertification which is the process of turning fertile land into a desert occurs in grasslands all too often.
http://prairierestoration.tumblr.com/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Over Grazing Threatens Many Rangelands
Overgrazing is when the soil and vegetation of an area is disrupted due to too many animals in one area that cause the loss of species and erosion. In the United States cattle grazing has caused severe damage in the Southwest and is endangering the already endangered species.
http://wg.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=priorities_wild_places_public_lands_ranching picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Ranchers are Experimenting With New Methods
One new method that is being used is called Rotational Grazing which is when animals are confined to a small area for a couple days and then relocated to another area. This is supposed to help with the stimulation of the effects on wild herds. Also using fire can help with the new growth of forestation by burning the underbrush. The uses of animals that graze the environment are also useful because they allow the grasslands to grow efficiently.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/pasture.html picture accessed on March 3, 2012
http://www.civilwar.org/land-preservation/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Parks and Preserves
Many of us tend to choose forests and grasslands for recreational purposes because of their beauty and spectacular views. They are also used to practice ways of conserving the ecosystem and the species that live in them. Around the world only 14 percent of the land is protected in parks, preserves and wildlife management areas. Although this is a great way to ensure the life span of the ecosystems we need to protect more land so that we have more opportunities to use the land for recreational purposes.
Many Countries Have Created Nature Preserves
All around the world there are different levels of protection when it comes to nature preserves. Some areas allow hardly any human use at all and other areas are very relaxed and do not mind high levels of human use such as national parks.
Not All Preserves are Preserved
Even though parks and preserves are monitored closely they can still suffer from over use and degradation. It does not matter if the country is poop or rich if the land is being watched over by personnel that are not trained efficiently then problems will occur. The same goes for ecosystems that are being overly loved by tourists, the land will start to suffer.
http://www.jpmagazine.com/eventcoverage/154_0701_new_hampshire_off_roading/photo_03.html picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Marine Ecosystems Need Greater Protection
It can take a very long time for marine ecosystems to recover from any kind of damage. It is important that overfishing does not occur because it affects area much greater than just the water front. Out of the 14 percent of conservation land that is protected only about 5 percent of biomes near the water are protected. It’s up to us to ensure the safety of life for the species that that inhabits these waters.
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-17375227/stock-photo-garbage-with-plastic-bottles-wood-and-other-pollution-on-lake-water.html picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Conservation and Economic Development Can Work Together
While Ecotourism tourism that is socially and ecologically sustainable is starting to take off and make a presence in areas that people understand that they need to rely on the biological resources to sustain valuable life.
Native People Can Play Important Roles in Nature Protection
It is important that the people that have lived in biomes for many of years get their voice heard because of the fact they have been able to sustain life while living off the land. There is no doubt that these people have great insight on how to care for that land and they posse’s valuable knowledge on the ecosystem. A group called UNESCO set up special areas known as Biosphere Reserves which are areas that are protected and spilt into zones that have different purposes. Some of the Biosphere Reserves in America are Yellowstone, the Everglades and the Mojave Desert.
Species Survival Can Depend on Preserve Size and Shape
Preserves can be big or small it really depends on the location and the species that inhabits the land. The most important thing is that ecosystems stay intact and allow for the movement of species within.
Conclusion
We now know that 14 percent of the earths land area is under protection and we are learning new ways to ensure the replenishment of natural resources. Humans live in these forests and grassland areas and they are able to use the resources that come from these areas because of the knowledge we have gained over the years. If we can keep protecting our ecosystems and making sure high levels of protection are being enforced then we should see many more generations of natural landscapes flourish.
CHAPTER 10
Water: Resources and Pollution
Water Resources
Water is a very high priority to the human race. Water makes up about 60 percent of our bodies and water helps with flushing waste out of our bodies while at the same time replenishing our bodies with nutrients. Water is not only beneficial to our bodies but also for everyday human uses such as transportation, recreation and agriculture. To say the least we need to ensure the safety of natural water for our everyday lives.
The Hydrologic Cycle Constantly Redistributes Water
The hydrologic cycle is a process of water that falls to the earth by rain or snow and passes through living organisms then returns to the ocean. Water is continuously being cycled through this process. The hydrologic cycle is powered by solar energy and since different parts of the world gets different levels of rain or snow fall and even sunlight. This affects the water resources in different areas.
http://www.aquapure.com/your-water/hydrological-cycle picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Major Water Compartments
While most of the water on earth is in the oceans its clear that only a fraction of the water on earth is suitable for human and animal consumption. The distribution of water is broken down into compartments.
http://www.mining-technology.com/contractors/project/geologix-minera/geologix-minera2.html picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Glaciers, Ice and Snow Contain Most Surface, Fresh Water
While most of the fresh water that is accessible to us is frozen into glaciers and ice caps only about .02 percent of the fresh water is in a form that species that depend on fresh water can be used.
http://www.alaska.com/glaciers/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Groundwater Stores Large Resources
Groundwater is broken down into three sections. First the shallow layer of soil containing air and water is called the zone of aeration. Second the lower soil layer with pores filled with water are called the zone of saturation, then finally the top zone of saturation that supplies most wells is known as the water table.
http://myweb.cwpost.liu.edu/vdivener/notes/groundwater_basics.htm picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Geological Layers that Contain Water are Called Aquifers
Aquifers are made up of levels of sand or rock that don’t allow any seepage or leaks at their bottom.
http://gcuonline.georgian.edu/wootton_l/groundewateraquifer.htm picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands Cycle Quickly
When discussing the world’s water systems it’s important to know that rivers contain nearly half of the worlds surface runoff water. While lakes hold 100 times as much water as rivers the bigger lakes don’t see hardly any of the surface water. It’s important to also remember that wetlands such as swamps play vital roles in the hydrologic cycle.
Water Pollution
Power plants and factories discharge pollutants into water all the time through drain pipes and sewers this is known as Point Sources.
When areas such as farms and golf courses have water runoff the water scatters and this is known as Nonpoint Sources.
Biological Pollution Includes Pathogens and Waste
Many harmful bacteria can thrive in water and serious water pollutants are known as Pathogenic organisms. Some of the most dangerous bacteria’s in the water are typhoid, polio and cholera and it is vital to protect yourselves from any of these harmful bacteria.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Oxygen plays a vital role in water and since respiration removes oxygen from water through chemical processes that use oxygen it is easy for use to compare water qualities in different areas. Biochemical oxygen demand is measured by the amount of water organisms that consume the dissolved oxygen.
Plant Nutrients and Cultural Eutrophication
When a river or a lake contains clear water and little biological productivity they are called oligotrophic which means little nutrition. When the same waters are filled with organisms and organic matter they are called eutrophic which means well nourished. The levels can be drastically changed by humans if we are not careful so please remember to take care of the environment.
picture accessed on March 3, 2012
http://www.epa.gov/bioiweb1/aquatic/classify.html picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Organic Chemicals Include Pesticides and Industrial Substances
If we don’t disregard of household items such as trash and tin cans then the environment will undergo many toxic chemical reactions. It’s also important that golf courses and farms use chemicals that are eco friendly because they have a lot of run off that leads straight into lakes and streams.
Sediment Can Also Degrade Water
One of the biggest reasons for water pollution in the United States is due to the sediment found in water.
Heat Also Degrades Water
When water temperatures get adjusted the aquatic life under goes affects that can be harmful to the organisms living in them. The cooling systems of power plants and other industries affect the water temperature in a process known as thermal pollution.
Water Quality
Since the quality of water was being affected by large companies a Clean Water Act was established in 1972. This Act requires a permit to any business dumping wastes into surface waters. The importance of the Act was to ensure the disclosure of what was being dumped into the water and gave insight to the affect it was having on the water and its inhibitors. Since the Act has been in place much of the pollutants found in water have been removed and only about 10 percent of the water pollution comes from industries.
CHAPTER 7
Food and Agriculture
Global Foods and Nutrition
Over the years food production has grown to huge capacities and a lot more foods have become genetically modified to ensure rapid growth. With the growth of food quantities the prices of food has increased as well. The reasons for this are to make more of a profit so that companies can expand and distribute food at higher rates.
Food Security is Unevenly Distributed
Over the years food distribution has increased in most areas and the availability for food has been able to stretch out and reach people in far away places. With the rise of human population brings the need for more food and most people are able to sustain a healthy diet and consume enough calories to sustain life.
What is Food Security?
With so many factors involved with sustaining a healthy diet on a day to day basis regardless of economic and environmental conditions it is important that everyone get enough nutrients to maintain a healthy life style and this is referred to as food security.
How Much Food Do We Need
To stay healthy a good diet is needed. Making sure we get the right amount of nutrients and calories is vital. Even though this seems like a no brainer millions of people around the world suffer daily because they lack the essentials for life.
Over Eating is a Growing World Problem
A major problem that is consuming the world is over eating. This might come as a shock but it’s not necessarily what we eat but how much we eat. Over eating can cause many health problems such as obesetness which is when a person is 20 percent overweight, diabetes, stroke, heart attack and eventually death. This isn’t something that just happens in richer countries either all over the world this is becoming more and more of a problem.
http://www.sabotagetimes.com/people/fat-people-a-tribute/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
The Foods We Eat
With all of the crops, plants and animals we have available to us we for whatever reason really only eat a few of them such as corn, wheat, soybeans, fish, cows and chickens.
http://cynergytraining.com/cynergycrossfit/2008/09/13/zone-food-pyramid/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Rising Food Production is a Sign of Wealth
Over the years the production of meat has doubled and with that beings nutrients that are vital to our bodies such as iron, protein and fats. The rise of meats came when the production of soy and corn increased.
Seafood is Both Wild and Farmed
Seafood is a huge when talking about a sufficient source of food because it gives us loads of protein. Over the years commercial fishing has taken its toll on destruction with their technology and the same goes with overharvesting because that can lead to habitat destruction. Thanks to aquaculture the split between seafood is increasing.
Risk of Biohazards Can Rise in Industrial Production
To control the risk of bacteria from spreading into the environment antibiotics are used. Although the over usage of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistant diseases it is vital that we only use what we need so that our bodies don’t become immune to the antibiotics.
Living Soil Is a Precious Resource
Soil is made up of mineral grains from rocks and partially decomposed organic materials. It is very effective when trying to grow crops and soil can even be described as a living ecosystem all by itself.
Carefully Managed Soil is a Renewable Resource
To make soil yourself can take up to many years but if you already have soil then you can add organic material to help regenerate the soil and soon it will be replenished and renewed.
http://www.yardcare.com/restore/restoring-a-tired-lawn/getting-a-soil-test/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
What is Soil?
Soil is made up of six components. First sand and gravel, silts and clay, dead organic material, soil fauna and flora which are (worms, fungi, roots of plants and insects) then water and last but not least air.
http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/students/soils/soils.htm picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Your Food Comes Mostly From A Horizon
When talking about farming you want your soil to have organic rich A horizon. Most soils have less than A horizon because over a century of farming has washed most of the soil down the Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico.
Ways We use and Abuse Soil
Most of the misuse of soil is caused by environmental disturbances. Places all over the world are faced with different problems such as wind, water erosion and nuclear reactions.
Arable Land is Unevenly Disturbed
Depending on where you live there might be factors that limit the amount of soil and the usage of soil. While some places have water and high soil fertility other places might lack the proper temperatures to support crop life. It’s up to the countries to rely on one another and figure out ways to help one another out.
Soil Degradation Reduces Crop Yields
With different weather conditions and the affect wind and water erosion can have on crops it’s very important that we find proper places to plant crops where they won’t be affected. Also the growing of population brings the building of homes, shopping centers and factories can have devastating affects on crops as well.
Farming Accelerates Erosion
Since erosion is a natural process its important that we find these areas and use them because of the spread of rich soil being put back on the ground. This will help with the generating of new crops.
Wind and Water Move Soil
There are three types of erosion.
- Sheet erosion which is water that flows across a slope or a bare field removing a layer of soil.
- Rill erosion which is when running water gathers together and cuts through the soil.
- Gully erosion which is when water accumulates to create a big channel or ravine that has grown to big to be removed by normal tillage operations.
Desertification is when productive land turns to desert.
Agricultural Inputs
In agriculture there are many factors that need to be present to make it work. There needs to be soil, water, the proper nutrients, right type of climate, and the right type of crops for the climate and the proper tools and man power to ensure a productive yield of crops.
Irrigation is Often Needed for High Yields
To produce healthy and plentiful crops the use of water is crucial. Irrigation can take an average yield and boost it up to a great yield by 100%. Depending on the amount of money and the use of technology can have an affect on the type of irrigation used. Either the use of a drip system or flooding an area are options.
The Downside of Irrigation
When irrigating an area it is important that water is not over used because the affects could be drastic. Waterlogging may take place and that’s when an area is flooded with water and the roots of the plants die from lack of oxygen. Or possibly salinization may happen and that’s when mineral salts build up in the soil and when the water evaporates it leaves a crust of salt behind.
Fertilizer Boosts Production
Plants require certain nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sulfur. With the use of fertilizers it ensures that the crops are getting a sufficient amount of each which allows for better chances to produce a plentiful yield.
Pesticides Save Crops but Have Health Risks
While it is a good idea to use pesticides to kill off unwanted pests. It’s also a big risk because some pesticides kill off non targeted species and cause a spread of pesticide resistance among pest species.
Modern Agriculture Runs on Oil
It’s safe to say that more energy is put into growing and harvesting crops than when we eat them. A total of 16% of the total energy we use is directly from the food system in the United States and 5 barrels of oil is used every time a hectare of corn is produced.
How We Have Managed to Feed Billions
The use of irrigation and fertilizer in developed countries has definitely been a blessing to all of us because it’s allowing crops to grow in mass amounts and feed lots of people.
The Green Revolution Has Increased Yields
With the use of fertilizers and plant breeding geneticists are able to combine different plants while looking for a desirable outcome. Also by them finding out which plants can be breed together has helped developing countries maintain a sufficient amount of food.
Genetic Engineering Could Have Benefits and Costs
Genetic engineering is the process of splicing a gene from one organism into the chromosome of another.
Genetically motified organisms (GMO) are organisms that have new genes and new organisms sometimes referred to as transgenic organisms.
Most GMO’s are engineered for Pesticide Production or Pesticide Tolerance
Scientists have created plants such as corn with natural insecticides that keep pests away. There is a down side though because some of the toxins are being churned out constantly and may create conditions of resistance to pests.
Is Genetic Engineering Safe?
Yes it is to a certain extent. As long as we use it for helping feed the people of the world and not turn it into a power struggle of the elite.
Sustainable Farming Strategies
As long as we are trying to farm massive amounts of crops then it is important that regenerative farming is being enforced. That means being careful to reduce and repair damage caused by destructive practices.
Soil Conservation is Essential
Being mindful and careful with soil can have long lasting affects because soil can be replenished and reused. Also by plowing across a hill rather than up and down known as contour plowing can be helpful with water runoff. The use of terracing is also useful because it creates level shelves of earth to hold water and soil.
Groundcover Protects the Soil
To ensure there is no erosion of soil it is essential to leave crop residue on the land after harvest to cover up the ground so that wind and water don’t erode the soil. Some crops such as rye and alfalfa can be planted immediately after harvest to protect the soil.
Reduced Tillage Cuts Erosion
There are three types of reduced tillage systems and they are.
Minimum till which is reducing the number of times of plowing the soil.
Conserv-till which is slicing through the soil with a blade wide enough to drop seeds.
No till which is drilling seeds into the ground through mulch and groundcover.
Low-input Sustainable Agriculture Can be Beneficial
While industrial farming has its perks some farmers are choosing to go back to a more natural farming style. Without using synthetic chemicals and maintaining an erosion free ground surface.
Consumer Choices Can Reshape Farming
There are a few ways consumers can reduce energy costs by eating locally grown food and be called a locavore. Even by eating more grains and vegetable and less meat can help. When buying organic food you are supporting farmers that choose not to use and pesticides and artificial fertilizers.
CHAPTER 11
Earth Resources Forces, Minerals
Earth Processes Shape Our Resources
While each of us are somewhat responsible for the environment we need to make sure that we are using proper techniques to ensure the safety of social devastation from happening by properly disposing of any materials.
Earth is a Dynamic Planet
The earth is composed of three levels. The core which is located in the center and it is a hot mass of iron. Then there is the mantle which is a hot pliable layer of rock and lastly the crust and that is the outer most layer of the Earth.
http://www.amnh.org/ology/features/plates/structure.php picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Tectonic Processes Reshape Continents and Cause Earthquakes
Tectonic plates are huge blocks of Earths crust that slide slowly across the earth’s surface. When molten rock known as magma makes its way to the surface through cracks form oceanic crust that creates piles underwater in mid ocean ridges and can cause earthquakes when they grind past one another.
Pangea a Ancient Supercontinent Existed 200 Million Years Ago
It is believed that at some point in the Earths history that all of the continents joined and formed a supercontinent but have since reformed due to earthquakes.
Minerals and Rocks
An inorganic solid with specific chemical composition and a specific internal crystal structure is known as a mineral. A solid cohesive aggregate of one or more minerals is known as a rock.
The Rock Cycle Creates and Recycles Rocks
Rock cycle is when rocks break down and metamorphosis into a new rock. There are three types of rock classifications first is the igneous rocks which are made solid from the heat of lava. Then there is metamorphic rock which forms from the melting and recrystalizing of other rocks. Lastly there are sedimentary rocks which are formed by loose grains of other rocks that are kept under pressure for an amount of time.
Periods and Eras in Geological Time
With the redistribution of continents have had affects on earth and this might help explain the extinctions of species.
The Rock Cycle
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/ picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Sedimentary Rock Experiences Erosion
With the use of erosion we are able to identify the history of a rock from its layers of different conditions and be able to tell how long they were laid down.
Weathering and Sedimentation
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/issue/sediment picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Economic Geology and Mineralogy
Economic mineralogy is the study of valuable resources for manufacturing and trade. On earth there are about 4,000 different mineral species. Most of our economic materials are metal ores which are minerals with high amounts of metals.
Metals are Essential to our Economy
Most of the metals used in the world are consumed mainly by the USA, Japan, South Africa, Russia, South America and Western Europe. Of the metals consumed the most popular ones are iron, aluminum, magnesium and copper.
World Production of Metals is Essential to Industry
http://info.gemcomsoftware.com/blog/bid/116325/Companies-improve-mining-processes-to-increase-mineral-production picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Nonmetal Mineral Resources Include Gravel, Clay, Glass and Salts
Nonmetal resources such as sand and gravel are used to build roads and silica is used for the making of glass. With the mining of limestone we are able to make plaster and rock salt is used to soften water and helps with the melting of snow on roadways.
Currently the Earth Provides Almost All of Our Fuel
The fuels used were created millions of years ago as heat and pressure transformed from ancient organisms. Some of the main fuels we use are oil, coal and natural gas.
Environmental Effects of Resource Extraction
When removing land surface its important to consider the amount of pollutants that are being released into the air and water. Sediment runoff can damage surrounding ecosystems because of the contents that are being introduced into the land.
Mining and Drilling Can Degrade Water Quality
While open pit mining and underground mining are popular ways of extracting geologic materials its dangerous to the environment because of the release of toxic minerals seeps into the ground. One way of extracting gold was by placer mining, which washed nuggets of gold from stream sediments but in the process of this ecosystems get filled with sediment.
Hydraulic Fracturing Can Contaminate Water Also
When using the method of hydraulic fracturing a mixture of sand, water and toxic chemicals get pumped underground at high pressures to crack the sediments and release the gas. While this may be helpful in some ways it’s bad on the environment and contaminates wells.
Open Pit Mining
Open pit mining is a process of extracting metal ores and minerals but in the process groundwater builds up in the pits. As of now there still is not a way to clear the toxins out of the water and this is extremely harmful to the environment and the animals that inhabit the areas.
http://www.rizzoassoc.com/cms/markets/mining picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Strip Mining
Strip mining is used to gather coal quickly and cheaply. Once the coal has been removed the land area is the covered back up and left alone so that it can slowly regenerate itself.
http://www.canishoopus.com/2010/11/13/1811758/blue-pills-and-basketball-strip-mines picture accessed on March 3, 2012
Processing Contaminates Air, Water and Soil
When removing metals from ores with heat or with the use of chemical solvents large quantities of toxic materials are released and they can damage the environment. There is a process of releasing metals from ores by roasting them called smelting which causes the release of air pollution.
Conserving Geologic Resources
By conserving resources we are actually saving money, saving land loss due to mining and saving energy. It’s important to remember these things when discussing the pros and cons of mining.
Recycling Saves Energy and Materials
Recycling is very important to our environment because we use a lot of natural resources and energy doing other things. So by recycling materials such as gold, aluminum, copper, lead and iron we are actually helping conserve the earth’s resources.
New Materials Can Replace Mined Resources
Since the development of new materials the consumption of minerals and metals has decreased. Which is great because now we can use plastic pipes in place of steel pipes and the use of fiber glass on cars replaces the use of metals.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 6
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
WORLD FORESTS pg.1
Boreal and Tropical Forests are Most Abundant pg. 1
Forests Provide Many Valuable Products pg. 2
Causes of Deforestation pg.3
Forests Protection pg.4
Temperate Forests Are Also at Risk pg.4
Harvesting Methods pg. 4
Roads and Logging pg.4
Road Building is Controversial pg.5
Fire Management pg.5
ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENTpg.5
Principles of Ecosystem Management pg.6
The national Report on Sustainable Forests Contains Elements of Forest Management pg. 6
Grasslands pg. 6
Over Grazing Threatens Many Rangelands pg.6
Ranchers are Experimenting With New Methods pg.7
Parks and Preserves pg.8
Many Countries Have Created Nature Preserves pg.8
Not All Preserves are Preserved pg.8
Marine Ecosystems Need Greater Protection pg.9
Conservation and Economic Development Can Work Together pg.10
Native People Can Play Important Roles in Nature Protection pg.10
Species Survival Can Depend on Preserve Size and Shape pg.10
Conclusion pg.10
CHAPTER 10
Water: Resources and Pollution
Water Resources pg.11
The Hydrologic Cycle Constantly Redistributes Water pg.11
Major Water Compartments pg.11
Glaciers, Ice and Snow Contain Most Surface, Fresh Water pg.12
Groundwater Stores Large Resources pg.12
Geological Layers that Contain Water are Called Aquifers pg.13
Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands Cycle Quickly pg.13
Water Pollution pg.13
Biological Pollution Includes Pathogens and Waste pg.13
Biochemical Oxygen Demand pg.13
Plant Nutrients and Cultural Eutrophication pg.13
Organic Chemicals Include Pesticides and Industrial Substances pg.14
Sediment Can Also Degrade Water pg.14
Heat Also Degrades Water pg.15
Water Quality pg.15
CHAPTER 7
Food and Agriculture
Global Foods and Nutrition pg.15
Food Security is Unevenly Distributed pg. 15
What is Food Security? Pg.15
How Much Food Do We Need pg.15
Over Eating is a Growing World Problem pg.15
The Foods We Eat pg.16
Rising Food Production is a Sign of Wealth pg.17
Seafood is Both Wild and Farmed pg.17
Risk of Biohazards Can Rise in Industrial Production pg.17
Living Soil Is a Precious Resource pg.17
Carefully Managed Soil is a Renewable Resource pg.17
What is Soil? Pg.18
Your Food Comes Mostly From A Horizon pg.19
Ways We use and Abuse Soil pg.19
Arable Land is Unevenly Disturbed pg.19
Soil Degradation Reduces Crop Yields pg.19
Farming Accelerates Erosion pg.19
Wind and Water Move Soil pg.19
Agricultural Inputs pg.19
Irrigation is Often Needed for High Yields pg.19
The Downside of Irrigation pg.20
Fertilizer Boosts Production pg.20
Pesticides Save Crops but Have Health Risks pg.20
Modern Agriculture Runs on Oil pg.20
How We Have Managed to Feed Billions pg.20
The Green Revolution Has Increased Yields pg.20
Genetic Engineering Could Have Benefits and Costs pg.20
Most GMO’s are engineered for Pesticide Production or Pesticide Tolerance pg.20
Is Genetic Engineering Safe? pg.20
Sustainable Farming Strategies pg 21
Soil Conservation is Essential pg.21
Groundcover Protects the Soil pg.21
Reduced Tillage Cuts Erosion pg.21
Low-input Sustainable Agriculture Can be Beneficial pg.21
CHAPTER 11
Earth Resources Forces, Minerals
Earth Processes Shape Our Resources pg.21
Earth is a Dynamic Planet pg.21
Tectonic Processes Reshape Continents and Cause Earthquakes pg.22
Minerals and Rocks pg.22
The Rock Cycle Creates and Recycles Rocks pg.22
Periods and Eras in Geological Time pg.22
The Rock Cycle pg.22
Sedimentary Rock Experiences Erosion pg.23
Weathering and Sedimentation pg.23
Economic Geology and Mineralogy pg.23
Metals are Essential to our Economy pg.24
World Production of Metals is Essential to Industry pg.24
Nonmetal Mineral Resources Include Gravel, Clay, Glass and Salts pg.24
Currently the Earth Provides Almost All of Our Fuel pg.24
Environmental Effects of Resource Extraction pg.24
Mining and Drilling Can Degrade Water Quality pg.24
Hydraulic Fracturing Can Contaminate Water Also pg.25
Open Pit Mining pg.25
Strip Mining pg.25
Processing Contaminates Air, Water and Soil pg.26
Conserving Geologic Resources pg.26
Recycling Saves Energy and Materials pg.26
New Materials Can Replace Mined Resources pg.26
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Natural Resources
- The objective for this project is to see the affect that human development has on the environment. Also how we affect the natural resources around us.
- The steps I took with identifying the affects on the area around my house were simple. First I found a disturbed area which was the road leading to the neighborhood in which I live and took a couple of pictures. Then I found areas that have been obviously disturbed by human development and pondered about them. After I had my information I then found an area behind my house which has not been disturbed. I then took pictures of that area and described the differences in both places.
This is a picture of the disturbed area’s entrance. Notice how the pavement stops creating an opening to tear up the ecosystem.
This picture is of a barbed wire fence that is partially knocked down creating a trap for anything that happens to get caught in it. Also taken in the disturbed area.
This is a picture of the disturbed area, a man made drainage system. The natural flow of water does not flow in this direction.
This is a picture of the undisturbed area behind my house. Notice there is no roadways and the bushes cover the entire area.
Another picture of the undisturbed area behind my house. This is also a natural flood plane which means water naturally runs into this area.The disturbed area I chose to discuss is the road that leads to my house. It is a dirt road that cuts through a field and by the looks of it right though a creek. There are many bushes but no trees, also the soil is very dry and it mainly consists of dirt. There’s no running water at the time but when water is present the road floods. The animals that live in the area are birds, rabbits and antelopes. Check out this link to my GOOGLE Map
The undisturbed are I chose to discuss is the wide open field behind my house. There are many bushes and lots of birds and rabbits. The soil is still very dry and consists of mainly dirt. There is water present only after storms but the field seems to soak in the water rather than flooding the area. Check out this link to my GOOGLE Map
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