Ecosystem Function, Structure and Change Essay Example for Free

Ecosystem Function, Structure and Change Essay Lake Tahoe is a large lake that is almost split in half by the border of California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe’s surface area is about 191, 500 square miles with a depth of about 500 meters. Lake Tahoe is listed as the 26th largest lake by volume. The vegetation around the lake supports a variety of plant life and animal life, as well as a very diverse organism community. The vegetation around the lake consists of a mixture of Jeffry Pine, lodgepole Pine, and both white and red fir’s. Vegetation also includes both wet and dry meadows and brush fields. The brush field Ceanothus has the capability of fixing nitrogen that makes the soil of the surrounding lake more fertile. There are several processes that prevail inside and outside the lake. The lake is under threat from eutrophication that can severely affect the aquatic life living in it and the surrounding vegetation. It has been estimated that there has been changes in the populations of the various aquatic animals living in the lake’s waters. Zooplankton population has faced the greatest changes. The lake experiences both winter and summer seasons, which in that area of the country can be extreme. Temperatures can go as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and as low as sub-zero in the winter. The vegetation surrounding the lake experiences these temperature changes and responds to this stimulus by the change in leaf colors and leaf numbers. The seasonal changes also affect the different mammal activities and interactions in the surrounding environment. Human activity around the lake is considerably high. Historically, the area around the lake was inhabited by Native Americans. The lake, because of its natural beauty and vegetation is a great attraction spot for tourists who wish to ski and fish. Because of the surrounding human population, there have been attempts to dispose of the raw sewage away from the lake basin but this strategy has not proved to be that useful. This is because the  eutrophication levels of the lake water are rising at a considerably high rate. The nitrogen and phosphorus levels of lake are increasing because of the high amounts of these elements and their compounds in the sewage water. The phytoplankton population present in the lake’s water is a natural tool that is reducing the levels as we speak. However, the rate of this natural proves might not be able to cope with the nitrogen and phosphorus amounts in the future if per say the sewage problem is not dealt with effectively in time. [Strong, 1999] The need for effective ecological planning is essential in today’s world where industry and technology is growing at a remarkable rate. Ecological planers plan to protect the nature’s true works and work hard to promote awareness against ecological deterioration. There are several things that planning requires. The lake is surrounded by vegetation and is home to hundreds of aquatic life forms. The vegetation and the mammalian life inside it is directly dependent on the lake for food and nourishment. This is because the primary protein source shall be the fish inside the lake for the land animals. Ecologists use these types of useful information to develop plans for management and restoration. In this case, the ecologists shall consider the water quality of the lake to be of the greatest importance. They shall ensure that there is little human interference in the natural habitats of the vegetation’s animals to allow the natural ecosystem to flourish because human interferences can cause migrations. The ecologists shall calculate the area required by the lake and the surrounding vegetation and shall accordingly present the data for further use. If in the future, companies or industries aim to industrialize the area, the ecologists shall use the data to calculate the risk of opening an industry to the environment. Ecologists that use preservation techniques to help preserve natural ecosystems give often consider the importance of an ecosystem by looking for any endangered or rare species inhabiting the area. The conservation of these rare species keeps ecologists busy. Ecological interactions between species are numerous and some types of standards only occur rarely or in specific climates and/or seasons. Lake Tahoe is an example of the hundreds of natural ecosystems found on the planet. Each ecosystem has a unique setup and the organisms populating it are dependent on it in every way. The presentation of these ecosystems is a responsibility for humans. References Lake Tahoe. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tahoe

A Character Comparison: Nora Vs. Antigone Essay -- Dolls House Antigo

A Character Comparison: Nora Vs. Antigone In the novels A Doll's House and Antigone, Ibsen and Sophocles respectively create two lead female characters, Nora and Antigone, who confront society's expectations of women in fundamentally different ways. Nora goes against the grain of middle class society by first forging her father's signature and then deceiving her husband, Torvald, throughout their marriage; Antigone, on the other hand, openly challenges and defies the rule of men, including her uncle and King of Thebes, Creon. Although Nora and Antigone share some comparable personality traits, like being strong willed and motivated, they confront the men in their lives and their comparable societies in two distinctive ways, which, as a result, leads to two differing denouements. Nearly every society, Nora and Antigone's are no exception, dictates a specific place or purpose for women, and while Nora and Antigone's respective societies possess some similarities regarding women's place and purpose, they contain several important differences. In Antigone, for example, the relative worth and status of women in Thebian society seems clear; women are to submit to the rule of man. Ismene suggests this submissive attribute of women in Thebian society when she begs Antigone not to defy Creon's commands, "Remind ourselves that we are women and as such are not made to fight with men." (193) Evidently the Thebian society controlled by men has kept a lid on women's individuality so much so that even a member of the royal family, Ismene, speaks of the futility in attempting to clash with the rule of man. Furthermore, Creon asks Antigone if she is "ashamed to differ from such men [the Chorus]?" (212) This suggests that in Thebian society w... ...igone respectively. Both plays focus on women's place in society and the struggle of two women to discover the repression of women latent in society and to break free of that repression. Surprisingly enough the two societies maintain similar expectations of women, but Nora and Antigone break those expectations via different methods unique to their situations. Nora is repressed by her husband and society, whereas Antigone is repressed by Creon and Thebian society, and while Nora deceives her husband for the majority of their marriage, Antigone's strong will allows her to openly confront Creon's superiority. Thus, the conclusions or denouements of the plays are to some extent different; while Nora survives in theoretical 'perfect freedom' in her society, Antigone is given death, and in a way 'frees' herself from the repressive society in which she has been subjected to.

Silk Road: Tea

The Silk Road was a series of historical trade routes that connected cultures of European and Asian countries. Hidden in Southwest China is a lesser-known trade route called Chamadao, literally translated as the Tea Horse Road, was a central trade route for the exchange of Tibetan horses and Chinese tea (Elaine). The route started in Southwest China, where tea was produced, led north into the Tibetan mountains and into India (Yang). Due to its economic and cultural impact, it has been dubbed the â€Å"Southern Silk Road of China† (Yang). Tea first originated from Yunnan, through China, to the rest of Asia, then to the West.In its earliest uses, tea was first used as food then concocted as medicinal brews. As more traditional tea drinking practices developed overtime. It began transmit to social hierarchy and developed status (Heiss 4,7). The origin of tea trade could be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang dynasty, Emperor Dezong sent his supervisory official Chang Lu to visit Tibet. Chang Lu offered some boiled tea to the Tibetan king, who then asked what it was. When Chang answered, the king informed him that Tibet already had tea and had his servants show it to Chang (Yang). The Chinese were the main exporters of tea.The Tea Horse Road, or Chamadao, was a central trade route for exchanging Tibetan horses and Chinese tea. Though it is called the Tea Horse Road, other products such as salt, sugar and furs were also exchanged along this route. The increasing importance of tea in daily life led to high demand and set up many markets outside of Southern China (Whitfield 238). Tea trade further expanded after Europeans were introduced to it. Chinese Tea was traded as far as Kenya, Africa. Chamadao soon earned the title of â€Å"Southern Silk Road of China,† due to its importance in both economic and cultural aspects (Elaine).Tea played a great role in religion and politics. At the height of the tea trade’s prosperity during the Min g Dynasty, a bureau was established to manage the horse and tea trade. During that time, the Ming Court often used the tea trade as a means of maintaining political control over Tibetan leaders and lamas. Farmers paid tea as tribute, or tax to the emperor, or ruler. The tea used in such tributes determined its quality (Yang). Tea was embraced by China’s three great religions—Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism for its perceived healthful virtues and powers of rejuvenation .The holy leaders of these religions deemed the drink as a necessity and should be consumed by all practitioners. As each of these faiths spread, so did the practice of consuming tea (Heiss 10). In short, the lesser-known Tea Horse Road had great economic and cultural impact. Its cultural exchange and prosperity is comparable to the Silk Road in historical importance. This â€Å"Southern Silk Road† is no longer in use but its legacy continues to play a crucial role in the communication and exchan ge of present cultures.

Essay on Candide a Satire on the Enlightenment - 604 Words

Candide is an outlandishly humorous, far-fetched tale by Voltaire satirizing the optimism espoused by the philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. It is the story of a young mans adventures throughout the world, where he witnesses much evil and disaster. Throughout his travels, he adheres to the teachings of his tutor, Pangloss, believing that all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds. Candide is Voltaires answer to what he saw as an absurd belief proposed by the Optimists - an easy way to rationalize evil and suffering. Though he was by no means a pessimist, Voltaire refused to believe that what happens is always for the best.brbrThe Age of Enlightenment is a term applied to a wide variety of ideas and advances in†¦show more content†¦(526)brbrThe multitudes of disasters, which Candide endures, culminate in his eventual, if temporary, abandonment of optimism. When asked Whats optimism? by Cacambo, Candide replies, AlasÂ…it is a mania for saying things are w ell when one is in hell. (555) brbrCandide finally begins to recognize the futility of his dear Pangloss philosophy. Voltaire concludes Candide by having Candide discover the Turks truth to life - Â…the work keeps us from three great evils, boredom, vice and poverty. (584) Candide and his band of followers consider these words and decide that they must cultivate their garden. Even when the entire group has accepted the pastoral lifestyle, finding contentment, Pangloss the Optimist attempts to prove how all their prior misfortunes were parts of the necessary chain of events for them to reach happiness. Voltaire paints Pangloss as the true dolt of optimism, never realizing the errors of his own logic.brbrEven though a philosopher of the Enlightenment himself, Voltaire uses Candide as a platform to criticize the utter optimism of his fellows. His use of satire throughout the story has a serious purpose. Voltaire uses satire as a means of pointing out injustice, cruelty, andShow More RelatedEssay on Use of Satire to Attack Optimism in Voltaires Candide1358 Words   |  6 PagesUse of Satire to Attack Optimism in Voltaires Candide       In its time, satire was a powerful tool for political assault on Europes corrupt and deteriorating society. Voltaires Candide uses satire to vibrantly and sarcastically portray optimism, a philosophical view from the Enlightenment used to bury the horrors of 18th century life: superstition, sexually transmitted diseases, aristocracy, the church, tyrannical rulers, civil and religious wars, and the cruel punishment of the innocentRead MoreCandide by Voltaire847 Words   |  3 PagesCandide Paper Many critics argue that Candide is not an enlightened work, but Voltaire’s satire thoroughly reflects on the philosophical morals and lessons of the Enlightenment. Voltaire’s satire comments on the political, social, and religious views of the time, emphasizing the beliefs of a majority of enlightenment thinkers and philosophers. Voltaire demonstrates three different enlightenment thoughts or views in his work: anti-feudalism, optimism, and the hypocrisy of the Christian church.Read MoreSwifts ‘Gullivers Travel’ and Voltaires ‘Candide’ Essay663 Words   |  3 PagesSwift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travel’ and Voltaire’s ‘Candide’ Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travel’ and Voltaire’s ‘Candide’ are typical literature works during the Enlightenment period. Both authors use satire in their works. Satire is literary form which means irony. Therefore, they have some similarities. They both want to expose human vices through satiric tone. Due to different personal styles, there are many differences between two novels. Two novels use satire to criticize human weakness. In ‘Gulliver’sRead MoreThe Candide By The French Enlightenment1377 Words   |  6 PagesIn the novel Candide by the French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, Voltaire, the use of satire is highly prevalent. Voltaire took many of the follies and views he disagreed with during the Enlightenment and satirized them in this highly unrealistic and exaggerated novel. The events throughout the novel, even if they have some connections or roots in historical events, are seemingly preposterous and embellished because of Voltaire’s heavy use of satire. However, Voltaire merely uses these embellishmentsRead MoreVoltaire s View Of Candide1511 Words   |  7 Pages Voltaire s Candide is a satirical work written in 1759 as a commentary during the Enlightenment. One of Voltaire s most famous works, it also functioned to reflect Voltaire s opinions. Candide is considered Voltaire s signature work in which he levels his sharpest criticism against nobility, philosophy, the church, and human cruelty. Though often considered a representative text of the Enlightenment era, the novel criticizes a number of Enlightenment philosophies. As reading and books wereRead More`` Candide `` A Satire Of The Social, And The Scientific Revolution1608 Words   |  7 PagesThe Enlightenment was a time when authority was questioned, which enforced change. It emerged out of the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution. The Reformation called for a reform of the catholic church. The Scientific Revolution called for moral, social, and political thought to rely on the scientific method and reason rather than the current system of tradition cultural authorities. These ch anges and ideas continued into the Enlightenment. During his time Franà §ois-Marie Arouet (1694-1778)Read MoreEssay on Voltaires Candide988 Words   |  4 PagesVoltaires Candide Candide is a reflection of the philosophical values of the Enlightenment. Voltaire’s novel is a satire of the Old Regime ideologies in which he critiques the political, social, and religious ideals of his time. A common intellectual characteristic of the Enlightenment was anti-feudalism. Philosophers were against the separations in the Old Regime and pushed for equality among human beings. Voltaire parodies the pompousness of the nobility several times throughoutRead MoreCandide : A Reflection Of The Enlightenment1325 Words   |  6 Pages Candide: A Reflection of the Enlightenment Francois-Marie Arouet, otherwise known as Voltaire was an 18th century French philosopher and writer during the Enlightenment period. Voltaire’s most famous work of literature; Candide follows a young man who grows up in a Baron’s castle (Castle Thunder-ten-tronckh), under the instruction of Dr. Pangloss, a tutor and philosopher who worships optimism even under extreme circumstances. Throughout Voltaire’s novel, Candide and his companions encounter aRead More A Comparison of the Quest for Enlightenment in Candide and Dream of the Red Chamber1209 Words   |  5 PagesQuest for Enlightenment in Candide and Dream of the Red Chamber      Ã‚   Seventeenth-century Europe saw the end of the Renaissance and ushered in the Neoclassic era. During this period, which is also called the Enlightenment and The Age of Reason, society advocated rationalism and urged the restraint of emotion. Writers modeled their works after the Greco-Roman satires and picaresque novels. At around the same time in China, the author of Dream of the Red Chamber explores a different kind ofRead MoreVoltaire s Candide : A Critique Of Politics And Religion During The Age Of Enlightenment1500 Words   |  6 Pagespublished Candide, ou l Optimisme simultaneously in five European countries in January of 1759, it was met with widespread denouncement due to its controversial content and scandalous portrayal of politics and religion. Nevertheless, the bitingly satirical novel fervently spread throughout Europe and was translated into several more languages, selling tens of thousands of copies within its first year of publication (Barnes). Despite being first categorized as dangerous blasphemy, Candide is now regarded