Alana Piselli - Mini Project #3

Endangered Species are in immediate danger due to many factors such as; diminished or changing habitats, over-exploitation, predation, disease, pesticide contamination or other disturbances in the environment.

Listed below is a list of endangered species by category, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Birds

Bald Eagle

American Bittern

Peregrine Falcon

Northern Goshawk

Pied-billed Grebe

Northern Harrier

Red-shouldered Hawk

Short-eared Owl

Piping Plover**

Upland Sandpiper

Loggerhead Shrike

Black Skimmer

Henslow’s Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow
Least Tern**

Roseate Tern

Sedge Wren

Reptiles

Timber Rattlesnake

Corn Snake
Queen SnakeBog Turtle**

Atlantic hawksbill**

Atlantic leatherback**

Atlantic loggerhead**

Atlantic Ridley**

Amphibians

Blue spotted salamander

Eastern tiger salamander

Southern gray treefrog

Invertebrates

American burying beetle**

Northeastern beach tiger**

Bronze copper

Brook floater (mussel)

Green gloater (mussel)

Mitchell’s Satyr (butterfly)**

Arogos Skipper (butterfly)

Appalachian grizzled Skipper (butterfly)

Dwarf Wedgemussel**

Mammals

Indiana Bat**

Bobcat

Black right Whale**

Blue Whale**

Fin Whale**

Humpback Whale**

Sei Whale **

Sperm Whale**

Woodrat Alleghen

Fish
Shortnose Sturgeon**





(**Federally endangered, bold pictured)

Reference:(2008 , February 5). Division of Fish and Wildlife: New Jersey Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. Retrieved March 30, 2008, from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Web site: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/tandespp.htm

Alana Piselli - Mini Project #2

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon is a naturally occurring element found on the Earth’s surface. The biogeochemical process, known as the Carbon Cycle, explains how carbon is recycled in our atmosphere. The key components of the carbon cycle include respiration and photosynthesis. When carbon is combined with hydrogen carbohydrates are made, which are in turn combined with oxygen during respiration to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy. The release of respiration may be interpreted as the input of photosynthesis, and the outputs of photosynthesis may interpret the inputs of respiration, making the process and interactive and dependent one. (Barker 2003)

Carbon is circulated in many ways through our atmosphere. Carbon is found largely on the earth’s surface in the form of sedimentary rocks. When the carbon reaches the oceans it forms calcium carbonate. This process allows appropriate living conditions for our ocean’s reefs where carbon is converted into tissue matter. Plants found on land and in water use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. The carbon is then released into the atmosphere by respiration, decaying plants and animals, and even fossil fuel emissions.

Carbon is circulated in the biosphere by ways of autotrophs and heterotrophs. Carbon is circulated throughout the biosphere through respiration. The majority of carbon escapes the biosphere by respiration. The largest reservoir in the carbon cycle occurs in the ocean when bicarbonate combines with calcium to produce limestone. Carbon is essential in maintaining pH levels in the oceans. Carbon is constantly changing and exchanging between the ocean and the atmosphere by means of upswelling and downswelling.

The process is a relatively fast one because carbon is concentrated at small levels. Carbon dioxide is more resourceful in the winter due to the vegetation. Carbon dioxide emissions are currently growing at a .5 rate per year, and are expected to continue to grow. This can change our climate and contribute greatly to global warming.

Research on the carbon cycle has concluded there is “missing carbon”. Further research on this issue conducted by the concludes some issues as to where the carbon dioxide has gone including the increased amounts of phytoplankton as well as increased growth of forests.

References:

Carbon Cycle. Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle.

The Carbon Cycle (2006). Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/CarbonCycle.html#Where_is_the_missing_carbon
Barker, B. W. (2003). Environmental Studies: Concepts, connections, and controversies. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt.

Jessica Teller - Mini Project #2

The Carbon Cycle

The black numbers in the diagram show how much carbon is stored in the various reserviors shown in the diagram and the purple numbers show how mucfh carbon is transfered between reserviors each year. This cycle is made up of four major reserviors interconnected by pathways of exchange. The reserviors include the atmosphere, the terrestrial biosphere, the oceans and the sediments.

In the atmosphere, carbon consists mostly of the gas carbon dioxide. Carbon is taken from the atmosphere in many ways. Photosynthesis turns the carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere, into oxygen. Also, in the ocean, carbon becomes quite soluble and in places of high biological productivity, organisms convert carbon to tissues. Carbon is then released back into the atmosphere is many ways such as respiration, the decay of plant and animal matter, through combustion of organic material, burning of fossil fuels, production of cement, through volcanic eruptions, and on the ocean's surface where the water become warmer, carbon dioxide is released.

The terrestrial biosphere consists of freshwater systems and non-living organic material. Carbon is taken from and released back into the terrestrial biosphere in many ways. Living organisms, such as autotrophs and heterotrophs use carbon and release carbon as they live and feed. Most carbon leaves the biosphere through respiration. Also, the burning of biomass releases large amounts of carbon back into the atmosphere. Carbon is circulated through the biosphere through sedimentation, or the process of animal shells becoming limestone.

The oceans contain large amounts of carbon in the form of biocarbonate ion. Carbon is extremely important for controlling the pH levels in the ocean water and its reactions within water. Carbon is readily exchanging between the ocean and the atmosphere in processes known as upswelling and downswelling. Bicarbonate can combine with calcium to produce limestone, which is the largest reservior in the carbon cycle.

Reference: Carbon Cycle. Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle.

Alana Piselli - Mini Project #1

Greenpeace

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization which strives to change attitudes and behaviors regarding the environment. Greenpeace is internationally known for their work in many areas of environmental safety and preservation. Greenpeace is actively attempting to help with many issues such as climate change, maintaining our oceans, protecting rainforests, demanding peace and disarmament and eliminating toxic chemicals. These are only a handful of the many areas of environmental activism the organization responds to.

Wild Spots Foundation

The Wild Spots Foundation mission is the protection of biodiversity. The foundation uses science, education and technology to actively preserve endangered and threatened species. Wild Spots is a non profit organization that works on a broad spectrum of issues around the world, which range from DNA research to documenting species in different ecosystems.


The Natural Resources Defense Council

The Natural Resources Defense Council’s mission is to preserve the Earth. In order to preserve the Earth’s natural systems the NRDC recognizes the importance of defending endangered natural areas on our planet. The NRDC works hard to “restore the integrity” of our planet’s three elements; air, land and water. NRDC “affirms the integral place of human beings in the environment.” Not only does the NRDC understand the importance of the here and now; they also maintain advanced resources for future generations.
Most significantly, NRDC recognizes and respects human rights and is accepting of all people who become involved in their mission. NRDC recognizes social and economic issues that cause hardships to much of our population today. In turn, NRDC strives to create a new way of living which does not harm the Earth’s natural resources.

As one of the nation’s most effective environmental action organization which uses law, science as well as the support of nearly 1.2 million members and online activists who work hard to protect the planet and maintain a healthy environment. NRDC has served as one of the most influential litigators in our nation.

For nearly 3 decades, NRDC has been actively working to defend wilderness, wildlife, and clean water to name a few. Some of the organizations honorable achievements are as follows. In 1971, NRDC passes the Clean Water Act, which enables polluters to face law suits. In 1973, NRDC takes action on the issue of lead in our nation’s gasoline. In 1976, NRDC litigation wins limits on water pollution for 24 major industries. In 1978, NRDC successfully removes Chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol cans. More recently, in 2005 NRDC defeats the Bush administration’s attempts to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. In 2006, the NRDC legal actions cause the Bush administration to devise a proposal to protect polar bears under the Endangered Species act.

The National Resources Defense Council has made many contributions to our nation and worldwide for decades. NRDC is a widely renounced funding organization, as well as a proactive lobbying group. NRDC has been praised by many because of their persistence in helping keep our environment safe and incorporating it’s mission for years to come. I chose NRDC because I feel that it is a very powerful organization that works proactively towards their mission. I respect and embrace many of the values mentioned in their mission statement and find it very honorable to see what a positive impact the NRDC has on our planet!

Jessica Teller - Mini Project #1

National Resource Defense Council

The National Resource Defense Council, NRDC, is one of the nation's most effective environmental action groups. The goal of this organization is to defend the wildreness and the wildlife that populates these environments. The National Resource Defense Council also seeks to protect clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. This organization has been making great strides in the fight against water pollution, air pollution, acid rain, the ozone layer and global warming issues. This organization finds it important that all people have a voice in their environmental issues and seeks to create a new way of life for mankind; one that does not involve the depletion of the world's natural resources.

Greenpeace

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization (present in 40 countries around the world) that acts to change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace by catalysing an energy revolution, defending our oceans, protecting the world's ancient rain forests, working for disarmament and peace, creating a toxic free future, and campaigning for sustainable agriculture. This organization also says no to genetic engineering, seeks to eliminate toxic chemicals and seeks to end the nuclear age. This organization has millions of supporters worldwide who volunteer their time and money to projects worldwide to promote environmental conservation and preservation.

Wild Spot Foundation

The Wild Spot Foundation is dedicated to saving the habitats of endagered species through many programs that promote, defend, and protect against biodiversity. This organization is committed to the conservation by incorporating a sense of ownership for the world's wild spots in return for the beauty that these natural habitats offer for generations to come. The organization believes that the ineraction between living things and their habitat sustain life on earth. Knowing that plants and animals are located in a variety of environments, mankind is able to interact with their environment on a daily basis. Therefore, this organization teaches mankind the biology of endagered species, the ecology of habitats, and educate about the indigenous people who inhabit these areas. The Wild Spots Foundation, Inc. is committed to the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of wildlife.

This organization has many institutional objectives including to promote and protect biodiversity throughout the world, to provide aesthetic and symbolic value for human culture, to preserve sacred and historic lands, to support and exploit the concept of transformative value, to follow the principles of stewardship, and to educate and involve youth. Wild Spots Foundation promotes these objectives worldwide and also has special projects, with unique objectives, for projects in South Florida and the Amazonia Cloud Forest of Ecuador. The organization seeks to develop special research centers in these locations to implement educational programs for the youth in these areas as well as developing and implementing travel programs for citizens of all countries.

I would choose to join the Wild Spot Foundation because the ideas and objectives of the organization meet my beliefs and needs as an environmentalist. I believe in the mission of the organization: to conserve natural resources and preserve our wildlife for the beauty that these habitats bring to future generations. The travel oppurtunities and ideas for citizens of all countries may turn the beauty of these habitats into a reality for those individuals who only dream of visiting a gorgeous biodiverse habitat filled with plants and animals beyond their wildest dreams! I agree that an affective way to preserve and conserve is to educate the world's future generation, our youth. By aiming the education at this age group, they may be able to produce the major changes that we need to save our environment.