Ecology and the Environment

I have two questions actually, one concerning Oxygen levels in the atmosphere while the other one concerning Carbon Dioxide levels. a) How does burning of rainforests, or burning in general, affect oxygen levels in the atmosphere? b) How would the addition of phosphorous and nitrogen fertilizer to the ocean help reduce its carbon dioxide levels? And what problems would adding the fertilizer cause?

does anyone know or have any ideas why tomatoes grow better in slightly acidic soil?

65,000,000 years ago, the atmospheric oxygen levels were around 35%, today, they're about 21%. What phenomena caused the drop? Was it simply a huge volcanic release of nitrogen? Here's the main question. At what percentage would oxygen levels become detrimental to life (think animals and plants) as we know it? 40%? 50%? 60%? At what point would plants be starved of CO2? At what levels would high O2 levels begin to make nitrogen fixation difficult for plants? Okay, let me narrow it down. Does anyone have a ballpark idea about what the highest O2 levels possible could be and still maintain a healthy ecological equilibrium?

I have recently started doing some research in the Pine Barrens of Long Island, and am looking for some experiment ideas. So far, I have decided to study in the field of Ants. I may also study the ant's interaction with the surrounding environment, other creatures, and the basic ecology of the area involving ants:) Specifically, I MAY look into the Allegeny Mound ants and study their behavioral patterns, as not many have studied them. I am at a very early stage of study I plan to identify and catalogue all ant life in the pine barrens and perhaps do behavioral experiments with different species of ants. Does anyone know of recourses on ants in general, or of…

They are not smarter, and that is why the majority of people like dogs more than cats, because dogs are more spiritual. Wouldn't we all love it if everyone were so unconditionally loving as some dogs? I had a very loving dog, who was abused I have been told before we received him. Although he was stubborn, he was more likely to turn back to humans for love and attention, and loved the relationship and love of other people. As such, this is essentially domestication, and its driven largely in part of the spirit. If fact, this is what people are. If one were to follow in the footsteps of, say, Jesus Christ, he would be domesticating himself by listening to a wiser pet. …

Present evolutionary theory has failed scientifically and socially. We need a new model of life, one that integrates biological and cognitive systems as an integral part of the universe. We must give life a larger purposes, one that not only includes the universe at large, but also the common mans future. One that sustains and renews life for everyone. The danger of working from a poor scientific model of life has become evident in the last century. Economic imbalances, ecological destruction, and even war world two was fought on the bases of the survival of the fittest. What if it turns out life takes leaps in organization based on the emergence of cooperat…

For biology im doing an experiment and i decided to investigate the effects of acid rain on plant. Im not sure but i may be using strawberry for my experiment. Im goin to spray the acid rain onto the plant with a sprayer, and then add some to the soil. My question is what ph's should i use for this experiment (im goin to use 4 different ph's)? Im not sure because i do not know what concentration will kill it and which wont. I want my experiment to show obvious data, in other words, i want to see the effects from the acid on the plant, the best efect would be to have one of the acididities kill the pant right at the end, not instantly, but gradually. Im going to use a mix…

Hey everyone, I'm really into meteorology and oceanograhy, and one question thats pluged me lately was ocean currents. I dont know how they were formed of what keeps them moving. Any input or links would be greatly appreciated

When could the next ice age begin, and what would cause it. Any links and inout would be appreciated

Hi I was wondering, why do creatures have to evolve by random mutation? The odds of a random mutation actually occuring are low, and the odds of it actually helping the organism in a certain enviroment are exceptionally low. There must be some mechanism that causes the actual mutation, so why can't it be due to a change in the enviroment? would that be enough to alter the organisms genes?

I posted this in homework help but wasnt getting any responses so now trying here... Hey All - new poster here and would gladly appreciate a push in the right direction for my Global Environment class...I'll set up the problem and show you the work I have done so far... Question: Imagine a hypothetical population with three assumptions: 1) Males and females are in the same abundance in all age classes beginning in year 0 2) Newborn males produced @ the same rate as newborn females by mothers of all ages 3) Males and females have same per capita survival rate in all of the different age classes After knowing this I am supposed to find out how many mal…

In South Africa new air pollution legislation has just been enacted which will result in the implementation of an air quality management approach similar to that adopted in Europe. Local industries which are currently very fearful that the implementation of stringent air quality standards and the 'polluter pays' principle will result in their being closed down. With unemployment rates in excess of 40%, closing industries down does not appear to be a feasible alternative. I wonder how 'big business' in other countries responded to being forced to clean up. Were many industries closed down? Were there significant job losses?

The vote has been cast. 51-49, in favor of drilling. Whether we are happy or not about it, oil exploration in ANWR is almost inevitable. The purpose of this thread is to figure out what the impact of drilling will be upon the ecology of both the area directly drilled upon, as well as the surrounding area. Please feel free to rant on the topic if you wish, or not or whatever. I think I am going to go sleep now. This topic has me personally exausted and depressed. Draba v. ...A postscript to the hope of spring.

In "Faking Nature", Eric Katz argues that a restored ecosystem is an artifact created by people to fufills their wants and needs. Because of its "unnaturalness", he argues that restored ecosystems have less integral value than the original, the value stemming from the historical continuity within an ecosystem. Therefore, projects such as restoration and mitigation are useless in trying to restore value to a lanscape. He says that we are "in fact, faking nature". Please, discuss. I have been wanting to have a conversation about this with someone for a while now. Draba v. ....a postscript to a hope of spring.

Perhaps "politics" is not where this belongs, but if not someone can move it. My proposition to you is, if the world becomes industrialized over the next 50 to 75 years, will the old planet have enough resources to support all 6 billion of us in the rather opulent fashion that we Americans and most Europeans are used to, or will we have to make adjustments? Actually, it will probably be more like 10 billion by that time. We do consume a lot of energy and other resources with just a few of us living high off the hog, so to speak. What do you think will happen?

This is a report on the current state of the planet, its a very in depth look at our current situation from all difference aspects: Living Planet Report I have not read it in full yet, but I wanted to post it and get a discussion going.

We ( our homo sapien ancestors ) entered Europe at the end of the last Ice Age. This coincided with the extinction of the Neanderthals who had existed there for thousands of years. What happened? Are we to blame? Ancient ethnic cleansing? Natural displacement of an inferior species? or another reason, disease? or the changing climate at the end of the ice age. Any comments, suggestions or questions?

Flower--->Cow---->Human Is cow act as producer when it is eaten by a human? Finally, human died and their bodies are decomposed by bacteria. Then plants absorb the mineral salts provided. Are the salts carry energy to the next trophic level? Dead bodies--->bacteria--->Plant ( Is this a energy flow?)

I'm going to make a globe which contains organism, mainly animals and plants. What do you suggest me to put it inside? There is a competition for me. I am required to make them alive as long as possible. No extra things can be put inside after the globe is sealed. I think it's quite like the matters in geography.

I have a T. c. triunguis or Common Eastern box Turtle and have a couple of questions 1. What so they eat? 2. what should i keep it in 3. How can I tell its age and gender thanks

Get this guy out of office. He doesn't care about the goddamned environment. Destroying forests seems like such a bad idea on a time scale. The U.S. is using so much timber lately and I have no idea why. Can't we just all have houses made of stone or something? They'd last a lot longer! http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/07/13/forest.rules.change.ap.ap/index.html

First off, why is there not an enviromental science forum section? Anyway, i am taking an enviromental science class this year, and recently we had our first big class discussion about all the damage that our technology, pollution and deforestation and everything is turning the enviroment into shit. Sure we're alive now (a lot of people(none here obviously)) are in terrible impovershed positions. I am not totally against this. In a Richard Dawkins book i read that this is the way it has alway been, that the majority suffers and dies. Also i love diversity, i dont want everyone to have all the same technology crap and all the same lifestyle. But the thing is, our popu…

Does anyone know of a good reason the California Condor should be saved?

Somes species have become extinct. What are some properties that they do not have that help them to survive for a long period of time?

I need to find out if there is any truth to the following statement: "There are more people alive today than have ever lived since the dawn of homosapiens." The argument that says this must be untrue is as follows: If we assume that the average age of reproduction (for females at least) was about 20 years of age that would mean that there have been 250,000,000/20_ = 12,500,000 generations over that period._ With an average population of 250,000,000 we now can assume that there have been 250,000,000 X 12,500,000 = 3.13e15 or 3,100,000,000,000,000 people that have been alive between the dawn of mankind and the year 1500 alone (not to meantion those that have liv…