Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Rabbit Proof Fence
The European settlers act as if they have complete control over Australia. As if they didn't recently find the land, but as if they were there the whole time. They treated the aoriginals like dirt, as if they were animals. They didn't deserve basic human rights or needs. The settlers were able to decide who deserved to lvie where and how. Natives were not classified as citizens to their own country, until recently. Mixed children were taken away from their families to an institution simply based on their fathers. The mothers were thought of as whores, even though the white fathers had a white wife back home. They cheated but were treated as if nothing was wrong. This type type of thinking also occured in the US. When the European settlers came here, they stole the land and power from the native americans. The natives were enslaved and put into camps. The women were raped and mixed children were also created. Settlers do not have a right to take over a country, like the Europeans have so often. Children should not be taken away from their families because of a invisible father. A white man should not ba allowed to father a child without taking responsibility, and have the innocent child take fault. The child has done no wrong, all they did was be born. The actions of the governement were not justified. The "governemnt" was not even a real governement to their nation. The natives had no choice in how the country was ran or by who. Because of that, they sould not have to be governed by their "leaders".
The Cane Toad
The Cane Toad is an toad species that originated in Central and South America. This toad is really big and has a large nest of eggs. The female toad lays a nest with thousands of eggs. The Cane Toad received its names from the Cane Beetle. The Cane Toad is known mostly because it feeds on the Cane Beetle. Before 1935, Australia had a large population of Cane Beetles. These beetles were in the process of ruining thousands of sugar crops in Queensland. In 1935, Australia received a box of over 100 toads from hawaii. Australians were hoping to use the toads to deteriorate the overwhelming mass of beetles to save their crops.
Instead of ending their pest problem, Australia gained a new pest population. The Cane Toad. Now, the Cane Toad has multipied to over a million in population. One problem caused by the toad is that they are killing off many native animal species. The toads have a strong venom that kills any animal that tries to eat it. Even household animals like dogs, might mistakenely try to eat the toad, and will die. In order to end the existence of this species in Australia, many people have been putting an effort forward to end the toad's distruction. In some places, people have planted fences around ponds and gardens to expel the toads. Also there are advisories for every who thinks they have seen the toad to report it for disposal.
An example of an invasive species here in America would be the Medusahead. This species is a plant native to the Meditteranean region. This grass is common in western rangleands in the US. This grass is destructive because it competes with other vegetation and causes a fire hazard. The Medusahead competes with other grasses/plants by sucking all of the nutrients and minerals from the soil early. Many animals cannot graze in areas infestead with Medusahead because it will poison them. The plant can alter soil to make in unattractive for native plants and animals.
No control methods have been implimented, but chemicals and burning can reduce the effects of the Medusahead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taeniatherum_caput-medusae
http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/rx-grazing/Grasses/Medusahead.htm
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/profile_medusaheadrye.shtml
Invasive species kill off many native things that should stay. Many invasive specie situations are similar, no matter the country. USA shoudl listen to their scientists as often as possible with these kind of issues. Many scientists warned the Australian government beforehand that they should be wary of bringing in such a dangerous species. America needs to find alternative ways of pest control, than by bringing in more pests.
Instead of ending their pest problem, Australia gained a new pest population. The Cane Toad. Now, the Cane Toad has multipied to over a million in population. One problem caused by the toad is that they are killing off many native animal species. The toads have a strong venom that kills any animal that tries to eat it. Even household animals like dogs, might mistakenely try to eat the toad, and will die. In order to end the existence of this species in Australia, many people have been putting an effort forward to end the toad's distruction. In some places, people have planted fences around ponds and gardens to expel the toads. Also there are advisories for every who thinks they have seen the toad to report it for disposal.
An example of an invasive species here in America would be the Medusahead. This species is a plant native to the Meditteranean region. This grass is common in western rangleands in the US. This grass is destructive because it competes with other vegetation and causes a fire hazard. The Medusahead competes with other grasses/plants by sucking all of the nutrients and minerals from the soil early. Many animals cannot graze in areas infestead with Medusahead because it will poison them. The plant can alter soil to make in unattractive for native plants and animals.
No control methods have been implimented, but chemicals and burning can reduce the effects of the Medusahead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taeniatherum_caput-medusae
http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/rx-grazing/Grasses/Medusahead.htm
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/profile_medusaheadrye.shtml
Invasive species kill off many native things that should stay. Many invasive specie situations are similar, no matter the country. USA shoudl listen to their scientists as often as possible with these kind of issues. Many scientists warned the Australian government beforehand that they should be wary of bringing in such a dangerous species. America needs to find alternative ways of pest control, than by bringing in more pests.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Fishies #2
Video #1: What is “Coral Bleaching” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW8nCALx5iA&feature=related
1. What is a polyp? What does a polyp need to be considered “coral”?
A polyp is a tiny animal called a coral larvae that is settled in the ocean floor. As the polyp grows it becomes a colony that is called a coral.
A polyp is a tiny animal called a coral larvae that is settled in the ocean floor. As the polyp grows it becomes a colony that is called a coral.
2. What types of things are coral sensitive to in the ocean?
The coral is highly effected by a rise in temperature.
The coral is highly effected by a rise in temperature.
3. When does coral bleaching occur?
Coral bleaching occurs when the sea stay warm for too long.
Coral bleaching occurs when the sea stay warm for too long.
4. Why do scientists think that coral bleaching is occurring more now than ever?
It is occurring more because of climate changes.
It is occurring more because of climate changes.
5. List three ways people can reduce their impact to climate change?
-saving energy
-avoiding unnecessary car journeys
- reuse and recycle
-saving energy
-avoiding unnecessary car journeys
- reuse and recycle
Video #2: Why should we care about climate change/destruction of coral reefs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcoyj2VPCOM
1. How many species of: fish, hard coral, soft coral, sea birds, shore birds?
1500 species fish. 360 species hard coral. 1/3 of the world's soft corals. 22 species sea birds. 32 species shore birds.
1500 species fish. 360 species hard coral. 1/3 of the world's soft corals. 22 species sea birds. 32 species shore birds.
2. What is responsible for warming our oceans?
Climate change.
Climate change.
3. How does increased flooding affect the reefs and the fish that birds that live there?
Pollutes the reefs. Fish will have to migrate to other areas, and the birds will have nothing to eat.
Pollutes the reefs. Fish will have to migrate to other areas, and the birds will have nothing to eat.
4. List three additional ways (not listed above) that people can reduce climate change:
-public transportation
-use environmentally good products
-donate instead of throwing in the trash
-public transportation
-use environmentally good products
-donate instead of throwing in the trash
Video #3/#4: Educating children about the effects of climate change
Watch the following two videos that are aimed at teaching children about the effects of climate change. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnqJMInH5yM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEdoizgeNJk&feature=related
1. List two benefits and two drawbacks to using this kind of media to teach this information.
- will get kids interested in what is going on
-keep the images in their minds
-easily distracted- looks at the images instead of listening to the information
-might get the wrong idea from the video
- will get kids interested in what is going on
-keep the images in their minds
-easily distracted- looks at the images instead of listening to the information
-might get the wrong idea from the video
2. After watching these videos, use YouTube to find and POST LINKS to videos that you feel would be more beneficial to teach the following types of people and WHY!
- If you're trying to teach a older student or an adult, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv7oOgwFNy0 , is a good video. This is because it has actual facts about why the bleaching is occurring and how.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvsaWYFm1_A has good animations to keep the attention of the watcher, but does not distract the watcher from the facts.
Fishies #1
1. The Great Barrier Reef is considered the “largest__________________ on earth”.
living structure
2. What compound does coral extract from the ocean to make solid tentacles?
Calcium Carbonate
3. How does red algae impact the structure of a coral?
The red algae acts like "glue" that keeps the coral pieces together. It cements sand, shells, and other coral together.
4. What year did the Great Barrier Reef become a national park?
1975
5. What percentage of the reef is protected from fishing?
33 %
6. How old do scientists believe the CURRENT reef is? The ANCIENT reef?
ANCIENT: half a million
CURRENT: 20,000
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