ESSAY ASSIGNMENT: Natural Selection of Turtles and Tortoises

When addressing the natural selection of turles and tortoises we must refer back to the year 1831 and the unforgettable journey of Charles Darwin. On this journey Darwin sailed along the Atlantic coast of South America making many stops in order for him to carry out his inland observations. In 1835 Darwin and those that accompanied him on his voyage landed on the island of Galapagos where many interesting discoveries were made.

The Galapagos Island had a very small population of people but here he found a vast amount of turles, tortoises, as well as lizards that did not seem to be afraid of people which allowed Darwin to study them closely.These careful observation allowed darwin to make a very interesting discovery. He found that though the turles and tortoises that were on the Galapagos Island had some of the same characteristics as others seen in South america and other islands, they also had many diferences. He found differences in the shells of turtles, some were softer and some had harder shells. Some had different kinds of mouthes or beaks, as well as different shapes and kinds of feet. After many years of studying and exploring he decided to make a hypothesis on how these differences in the same species came to be. Darwin said that though these turtles may have migrated from the same place, what caused the changes is where they ended up. Some turtles were forced to remain on land and had to adapt accordingly, they developed tougher and harder shells, their feet were shaped appropriately to allow them to comfortably walk on land, and they developed the characteristics necessary to hunt for their prey. Those tortoises that adapted to living primarily in water, also changed over the years. Darwin's observation of the natural selection in turtles was obvious to me upon observing several different kinds of turtles and tortoises and learning how different they are from one another.

During my environmental studies class I was able to observe mnay differnt kind of turles and tortoises and analyze their differences. The one that most shook me was the Snake neck turtle. Over the years this turtle seems to have developed a long slim neck that can stretch out in order to trap prey such as insects, worms, tadpoles and even frogs. Though the shell is a bit rough for protection from other sea creatures, it is also aerodynamic in order to allow for easy swimming. The snake neck turtle has powerful webbed feet to aide in swimming as well as digging and tearing apart prey. The Soft shell turtle is also a water turtle but its shell is very soft ( hence the name) and very different from the snake neck turtle. The shell is very flexible, leathery and flat resembling a pancake. Since this turtle is aquatic its light shell is much easier to swim with. It is also a carnivorous turtle that actually has a pointy sort of beak shaped mouth and nose to aide in the catching of insects which is what they eat most.

I also observed a mud turtle which is not quite aquatic but does like the damp swampy areas and will go in water for a dip from time to time. Mud turtles are small and they are primarily carnivorous which was surprising due to their small size. They eat anything they can catch; insects, worms, tadpoles but they will eat berries and even carrion. My favorite turtle was the box turtle which lives on land. This one had some long legs which are helpful when walking on land .these turtles are omnivorous and vary from eatting insects, worms,fish, frogs, to berries and flowers and carrion. What I found amazing is that this turle had a dented midsection which aides in determining the sex. Usually males have the dent which allows them to mount a female for mating purposes. This turtle was the most outgoing and curious one I observed. Another land turtle is the Redfoot turtle which also has the longer legs in order to comfortably walk on land, thus turtle is not aquatic and therefore does not have webbed feet. We even observed the Central American Ornated Wood turtle which is semi-terrestrial. This kind of turtle can live on land but also needs to go into water. Its shell is strong but not too heavy since the turtle still has to be able to swim comfortable. Thus turtle can enjoy a nice salad consisting of leaves and greens and can also eat worms and insects. Incertain regions the colors are brighter than in others which may have to do with climate and camouflaging.

While analyzing all of these species of turtles my classmates and I now understand Darwin's theory on turtles and natural selection. The physical features and capabilities of these turtles must have changed over time depending on its needs for survival and its sorrounding environment. It is amazing and so very interesting to find that they can be so similar but yet so different. So I recommend take time out and look closely at different turtles and other species and explore the miracle of natural selection!

MINI PROJECT #5: Superfund Site in North Miami Beach, FL

First of all what is a Superfund Site? According to the Environmental Protection Agency a Superfund site is an uncontrolled or abandoned place where hazardous waste is located, possibly affecting local ecosystems or people. These locations become Superfund Sites when they are placed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) National Priority List (NPL) based on a high score that rates its current or potential health impact to the environment, community, and those living in or near the area.
It is so scary to find that most of us reside relatively near one of these sites right here in Florida. Upon doing research to locate a Superfund Site in my area, North Miami Beach I found that there is one not too far from home. The Anodyne, Inc. Site is located at 1270 N.W 165th Street in the Sunshine State Industrial Park. This industrial park is located in the middle of a residential, commercial, and industrial district in the northern part of Dade County. It is between the residential areas of bunche Park and Miami Gardens and is It is bordered on the north by the Palmetto Expressway also known as the 826; on the east by Interstate State 95; to the south by U.S. Route 441 (www.epa.gov) some of the most busy highways in the city.
It seems that Anodyne Inc. was one of the "nations foremost producers of metal decorating products". Some of the acitivities that were once carried out there were aluminum anodizing, embossing, lithograph development and printing, silk screening, diamond cutting, and laminating. It seems that when the company was in business they discharged wastes and chemicals via pipes through the building wall directly right onto the ground. There is also another site to the south of the Anodyne Building that is thought to have been used as a diposal site as well.
Due to the urbanization of this area there are very little natural resources or ecologically sensitive areas still existing near this site. According to the Environmental Protection Agency website. This Site does lie right over the Biscayne aquifer, which is a shallow water table aquifer that serves as the sole source of drinking water for Dade and Broward Counties. The aquifer has been Federally designated as a Class I drinking water aquifer under the Clean Water Act and as a Sole Source Aquifer. There is a threat that this site can contaminate r which can affect drinnking water for Dadeand Broward Counties. Immediate Action has been taken and cleanup is in progress. There are definitely precautionary studies in place for example,A pilot study for groundwater remediation has been drafted to conduct treatability of contamination identified in the deep acquifer. This pilot study will be conducted this year 2008.

REFERENCE WEBSITE:
www.epa.gov

MINI PROJECT #4: Grocery Lists and Genetically Altered Foods

Recently, in the U.S there has been great debate over genetically altered/engineered foods and whether or not this is a threat to the world and our health, or an innovative solution to the hunger crisis we've encountered and to overcome the limitations of traditional farming and breeding. First of all, What is genetic engineering of our foods? Genetic engineering is when the genetic makeup of living organisms is disrupted and altered in order to enhance particular traits or genes without having to undergo what is considered lengthy and inaccurate natural breeding, which by the way is always preferable. GE also allows for genetic material from one organism to be extracted and inserted into the permanent genetic code of another which can be kind of scary if you think about it... Fish can now be injected with cattle growth genes or a tomato with Flounder genes all to ensure a nice plentiful size. Such human alterations of food are being patented and released into the market.

Many studies have shown that the genetically processed and engineered foods being released into the market for human consumption can pose a great threat to human health. Some of the risks can include toxicity, allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, immune-suppression and even cancer. Despite this, government has not established any ground rules to control GE and how it is being used and there are many who even believe that GE foods do not need to be labelled as such in order to inform the consumer. Don't we all have a right to know what we are eating and buying for our families to consume?

There are also great dangers and damages that affect our environment and nature as a result of genetically altering foods. The use of genetic engineering in agriculture causes biological pollution, threatens numerous microbial, plant and animal species with extinction, and can ptentially contaminate all non-genetically engineered life forms with new and possibly hazardous genetic material.

Some believe that the genetic altering of foods can be the answer to many issues such as the elimination of pesticidesand herbicides but the truth is that farmers who grow GE crops actually use more herbicide, not less. They also argue that this is the answer to eliminate starvation worldwide and provide enough food supply for the expected population boom in the next 50 years but the scientists, who represent many of the nations affected by poverty and hunger, say gene technologies would undermine the nations' capacities to feed themselves by destroying established diversity, local knowledge and sustainable agricultural systems which can lead to increased hunger and starvation.

I am no scientist and there may be much of this issue that I do not know about but I will say that it is my belief that there are things in life that are meant to be natural and untouched and that should be left alone. The crossing of genes from one species to another and one living organism to another is simply too scary and invasive for me to swallow. It seems that humans are so eager to obtain financial profit and total control that we are risking lives and our health in the process. I hope that as these Genetically altered foods are released into the market there are also regulations put in place to label these accordingly and inform the public of the process that these foods have underwent and then the consumer can at least be given the chance to make an educated decision regarding the risks and his or her health.

Meanwhile here is a list of some of the major foods in the market that are genetically altered.

*NOTE: Up to 40 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered along with 80 percent of soybeans. It is estimated that upover 60 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves--from soda to soup, crackers to condiments--contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Grocery list of genetically altered foods:

Corn

Canola Oil

Soy Beans

Cotton

Potatoes

tomatoes

fish

pig/pork

sugar

Most fruits and vegetables are currently being being tested on and gene-altered varieties are being released into the market.

REFERENCE WEBSITES:

http://www.truefoodnow.org/crop/pipeline_rdintro.html

http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/geneticall7.cfm

MINI PROJECT # 3: The Endangered Animals of Colombia

1. Scarlet Macaw: Beautiful bird with a great ability to mimick sounds made by the human voice as well as perform entertaining and amazing tricks.This bird became endangered due to a high demand for its colorful feathers in earlier centuries, and remains so due to individuals removing the young from their nests in order to keep them as pets.
2. Bespectacled Bear: This bear is not a threat to human life yet it is killed because it is believed to do damage to agriculture and also killed for its meat.
3. Gorga's Rice Rat: This rat is critically engangered and endemic to Colombia.
4. Handley's slemder mouse opossum also critically endandgered and endemic to Colombia.
5. Colombian Weasel: Five different speciesw of this animal found in colombia within areas where great deforestation has occured. Deforrestaiton may have had an impact on this animal's current endangered status.
6. Cottontop Tamarin: Endemic to Colombia; a small monkey the size of a squirrel that has become endangered due to 3/4 of its original habitat being deforrested. They are also collected and captures as pets in the illegal pet trade of Colombia and the Cottontip mandarin is a species that is victim to illegal exportation.
6. Dryland Mouse Opossum
7. Giant Armadillo
8. Giant Otter
9. Mountain Tapir: Declined due to clearing and burning of habitat for purposes of agriculture and livestock. This animal ahs also been hunted for meat as well as for sport. Many mountain Tapira died during the 1960's when in the midst of being captured for zoos many were killed.
10. Pacarana: A large rodent that is said to resemble a very large guinea pig. Species threatened due to habitat loss and hunting by man for food.
Info. found on: http://www.animalinfo.org/country/colombia.htm

MINI PROJECT #2: The Carbon Cycle

CARBON CYCLE DIAGRAM

This diagram provides some incite as to where and how carbon is stored in the Earth's system. The Carbon Cycle has four major carbon sinks that exchange amongst one another, these are:

1. the atmosphere

2. the terrestial biosphere which includes fresh water systems and non-living organic material like soil carbon.

3. the oceans

4. the sediments like fossil fuel

Carbon exists in the earth's atmosphere in the form of CO2. There are also other gases in the atmosphere that contain carbon these are methane and chlorofluorocarbons. These gases are known as greenhouse gases and their concentration in our atmosphere is increasing. This increase is contributing to the rise in global surface temperature and lead to excessive global warming because the radioactive forces of CO2 lead to big differences in climate effects.

The way it works...

1. Carbon is initially in the oceans and sedimentary rocks

2. While carbon is in the water it turns into calcium carbonate

3. The algae and coral build up reefs called limestone reefs which cause increased respiration.

4. On land the plants turn the carbon dioxide into carbohydrates through photosynthesis.

5. The carbon is either released into the atmosphere, eaten by animals when plants die, or decomposed into the soil for future consumption by plants and useful resources.

There are action plans in mind such as a concept known as carbon wedges and we can all adopt a 3 step climate change plan and do our share. The fact is that climate changes, the greenhouse effect, and global warming are some of the biggest issues we face in the world today and unless we contribute and do our share to help out we will all pay a high cost later in our futures.

* diagram found on: http://www.globalgreenhousewarming.com/images/CarboncCycleDiagram.jpg

Mini Project #1 Environmental Organizations

Upon analyzing the different environmental organizations; Greenpeace, National Resource Defense Council, and Wildspots Foundation I have determined that I would rather join the Greenpeace Environmental Organization because upon examining their goals and mission statement I find that it is the most well rounded organization who aims to help all aspects of our planet including society.
Greenpeace participates in the defense of animal wildlife as well as plants, forests and marine life. They aim to preserve and protect our oceans and put an end to destructive fishing as well as the disposal of wasteful chemicals into our oceans. Greenpeace even takes part in socially responsible farming and the elimination of harmful chemicals in agriculture which directly affects the lives and health of all living organisms on earth.
But what stood out to me the most was this organization's stand on disarment and peace. They work towards putting an end to conflict and the use of nuclear weapons. I find it to be wonderful that they take a stand on wildlife and our environment as well as peace and violence which is one of the biggest problems on earth today. This is an organization that is environmentally and SOCIALLY conscious and that is why it would be the one I would choose to join.
It is true that Greenpeace has taken some drastic measures in the past in order to put a stop to activities that are hurtful to our environment and many might be in opposition to these actions but I must say that sometimes in order to make an impact and stop those harming the environment drastic is the only way to go. Keep in mind that things such as offshore oil drilling and genetic engineering can be very porfitable businesses and a subtle request on behalf of environmental activists is not going to do the trick. These people are in it for the money and they will continue to look out for their own selfish needs until drastic measures are taken. Sometimes it is essential to demonstrate that you mean business and Greenpeace gets their point across. I respect them for that.