Blog Post 11/27

        The growing human population is creating a need for resources that may not be available in the next century. The demand for food will double by 2050, and triple by 2100, which is not sustainable. Also, water will be scarce as it is wasted on creating luxury products, 2,700 liters for a bar of chocolate.
        The growth of the human population will negatively impact the environment as the destruction of natural habitats will increase dramatically, creating a loss of biodiversity. Also, with the destruction of habitat will come a loss of ecosystem function, hurting our already scarce resources.
Will population growth slow down in time to achieve sustainability? Will I have to do blog posts over winter break?

Article for 11/20

The quality of a banana that consumers love- consistency- is the genetic downfall of the fruit. The plantations that currently provide North America and Europe with their favorite fruit are at risk of disease, the cavendish is being wiped out by the panama fungus. Scientists are trying to create a genetically modified fruit that resists the disease and plantations in central america are trying to breed a consumer welcome replacement.
This circumstance exemplifies the idea that low genetic diversity may leads to a species being unresistant to disease. The loss of these plants would also effect their ecosystems, as they provide shade to growing plants underneath them.
Would a genetically modified plant serve the same function in the ecosystem?

Article 11/13

Euryodendron excelsum is a very rare species of tree, less than 200 individuals, that lives in Southeastern China. China's industrial nature creates a constant threat to the plant, land clearing and wood cutting are constant threats. Previous research into saving this tree have focused on biological and ecological aspects of endangerment, but a new study by Yunnan University focuses on the microbes living around the tree's roots. 

The study of microbes relates to environmental science as understanding the microscopic aspects of an ecosystem will allow for a greater understanding of its function as a whole. Also, a better understanding of microbes will allow for greater accuracy when trying to rebuild lost habitat. 

When recreating lost habitat, would any microbe of a similar ecosystem if brought in would improve ecosystem function? 

Article 11/6

A few Filipino marines have been living on a wrecked ship in the Southern Pacific Ocean in order to maintain their hold on the area. China has been flooding the area with ships trying to obtain full ownership of the fishery and oil. The men on the ship are struggling to survive, and are constantly watched by a rotation of Chinese ships.

The shift of ownership to the Chinese would affect the ecosystem of the fisheries as they would be greatly harvested. This reduction of the fish population would reduce the function of the ecosystem as a whole. 

Would the placement of oil rigs in the area have a greater or lesser affect on the fish population than would over harvesting?