Turtles & Tortoises - Alana Piselli

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who is most well known as a collector and geologist. He came up with scientific information that all species of life have evolved over time from similar ancestry through the process of natural selection. The scientific community embraced Darwin’s theory and natural selection became the primary basis of evolution in the early 1930s and is still the basis of modern evolutionary theory today. (Charles Darwin, 2008)

Darwin is significantly known for his voyage on the Beagle, where he sailed around various parts of the world. He traveled for 5 years collecting fossils, information and data on many different species. Some consider his most well-known finding to be the tortoise. While on the Galapagos Islands, Darwin learned from local inhabitants that a tortoise can be identified by its appearance. Darwin believed Spaniards claimed they could tell where the tortoises originated by their physical characteristics. (Charles Darwin, 2008)

The tortoise is considered by many to be the most recognized symbol of the Galapagos Islands. The tortoises currently found on the Galapagos are the largest in the world, weighing up to 500 lbs., with a life span of nearly 150 years. The feature of the shell is made up of the rib cage, collar bone and pelvis. The ancestors of the turtle were so successful with this form of living that there has been little morphology in over 200 years. Amazingly one turtle genus from South America has not changed its morphology in over 60 million years. Darwin would consider this to be a result of conservation. Conserving turtles and tortoises are very important because there is an enormous demand for trade amongst them all over the world. The demand is frighteningly high in Asia. (Hall, 2004)

Box turtles typically live to be about 40 years old but sometimes live for 100 years. The female box turtle we observed in class is a Florida native. Her scales were beige dark green and yellow and seemed to be armored. Her shell was dark brown with beige and had 2 hinges under her neck and tail to protect her from predators. The male box turtle is very different from the female box turtle. The male we observed was also a native of Florida. He had red eyes and was very aggressive. He had a wide mouth which was very different from the other male box turtle we observed. The second male box turtle we observed was a native of Texas. His scales were camouflage colors, beige and dark green. His mouth was much pointier than the Florida box turtle. Both males had hinges to protect themselves from predators.(Turtle, 2008)

The Central American Ornate Wood Turtle we observed is a native of places such as Ecuador and Venezuela. The one we observed in class was very colorful with black and orange stripes on its scales. Its shell had a hump and seemed to be hardest one. Its neck seemed to protrude the most as well. It had flat feet and a short tail, which means it is female. is a herbivore feeding on mostly greens. They live near grassy areas, forests and ponds. They also feed on small insects and worms occasionally. They are found in Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua. They are highly aquatic when young, as adults they are land-based. The average lifespan is only 15 years. (Turtle, 2008)

Red-footed tortoises can be found in open grasslands of South America in place such as Ecuador and Venezuela. The red-footed tortoise we observed in class was a baby. It had red scales and a dark green and brown shell. It’s face was flatter than the others. Red footed tortoises have sexual dimorphism; the male has a curved belly which is used to easily mount the female for reproduction. Contrarily, the female’s belly is flat. The male is also larger at the same age as the female. They typically live about 50 years and reach about 10 to 15 inches. (Tortoise, 2008)

The Russian tortoise is a vegetarian which feeds mostly on greens. The Russian tortoise we observed in class was a male and, like its relatives, had a large tail. It had only 4 toes per foot and claws as opposed to webbed feet because it is a land dweller. The tortoise was able to completely retract its head and limbs into its shell. Its shell was domed. Its life span is about 50 years but there have been recorded Russian tortoises living to nearly 100 years old. They reach about 6-8 inches upon adulthood. Russian tortoises can be found in Asia regions. (Tortoise, 2008)

The mud turtle we observed in class was dark green and black. It was very small, only around 2 inches long. Its eyes were far apart and its shell came to a point on top. These webbed feet turtles are usually found in water although they are not very good swimmers. They are known as bottom dwellers. They are typically found around lakes and ponds where there is slow moving water. Although very small, they are usually carnivorous. They grow up to 4 inches. Their lifespan is about 50 year. (Turtle, 2008)

The Yellow footed tortoise we observed was the largest one. Its shell was greenish brown and beige, for camouflage. This female yellow footed tortoise had only 4 toes per foot with very short claws. These tortoises typically live to be 50-60 years old. They are very rarely spotted in the wild because they enjoy the dense forests. They are found in South American regions. (Tortoise, 2008)

“The inhabitants...state that they can distinguish the tortoise from different islands; and that they differ not only in size, but in other characters. Captain Porter has described those from Charles and from the nearest island to it, namely Hood Island, as having their shells in front thick and turned up like a Spanish saddle, whilst the tortoises from James Island are rounder, blacker, and have a better taste when cooked”.-Charles Darwin 1845

References
Charles Darwin. (2008, April 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 02:42, April 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Darwin&oldid=208012115
Hall, (2004). Turtles. Retrieved April 22, 2008, Web site: http://eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/Ecol483_583/483Turtlelab2004.doc
Tortoise. (2008, April 22). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 22, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tortoise&oldid=207876697
Turtle. (2008, April 22). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 03:02, April 22, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Turtle&oldid=207903752

Jessica Teller - Mini Project #7

Demographics - Lauderhill, Florida

The trend in the population for Lauderhill, Florida was updated in 2006. According to the US Census Website, the population figure in 2006 was 59,482 people. In 2000, the population was 57,585 people and in 1990 was only 49, 708 people. It is evident that the population is on the rise in this region and is estimated to reach an all-time high by the time of the next Census in 2010.

In 2000, the Census Bureau published the latest information regarding income distribution, housing data, and ethnicity information. In 2000, the U.S. Census estimated that the mean income for households was $42, 589. The median income amoung married couples was $57,345, the median income amoung single female families was $28,666 and the median income for non-family households is $31,869. The median income for a household in the city was $32,515, and the median income for a family was $36,723. Males had a median income of $29,756 versus $25,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,243. About 15.5% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

The racial makeup of the city was 33.83% White (29.6% were Non Hispanic White,) 58.77% African American and Black (a large part from the Caribbean), 0.12% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 4.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.94% of the population. Lauderhill has a high foreign-born population, with a noticeable proportion from the West Indies. 33.65% of Lauderhill's population was born outside of the United States. 24.63% were born in the Caribbean, 14.73% from Jamaica alone. Other major West Indian populations were born in Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Dominica, The Bahamas, Guyana, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean nations.

As of 2000, English as a first language was spoken by 79.14% of the population, while French Creole was at 7.85%, Spanish at 6.92%, French at 2.69%, Yiddish at 0.59%, and Hebrew at 0.45% of residents.

As of 2000, Lauderhill had the third highest percentage of Jamaican residents in the US, at 17.6% of the city's population, and the eighteenth highest percentage of Haitian residents in the US, at 9.1% of the city's population (tied with Mangonia Park.)

Ocean Township Environmental Commission

The Township of Ocean has been actively involved in preserving our environment since 1970. The environmental commission of Ocean Township strives to promote recycling & preservation of the township.

Below are images of Joe Palaia Park (Deal Test Site) located in Ocean Township.







http://tocommish.googlepages.com/townshipofoceanenvironmentalcommission

Alana Piselli - Mini Project #7

Demographics for Ocean Township, NJ

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ocean Township has a total area of 11.1 square miles, of which, 11.0 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it is water.

As of 2000, there were 26,959 people, 10,254 households, and 7,341 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,443.3 people per square mile. There were 10,756 housing units at an average density of 974.8/sq mi. The racial makeup of the township was 84.34% White, 5.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 6.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.51% of the population.

There were 10,254 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $62,058, and the median income for a family was $74,572. Males had a median income of $52,376 versus $35,439 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,581. About 3.6% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of the age 65 or over.

Alana Piselli - Mini Project #6

Terrorist Precautions in Ocean Township, NJ

The city and its surrounding areas recognize the importance of preparing themselves against terrorist attacks. Because many of the families in this town were directly effected by 9/11 the city wants to ensure everyone’s safety. Residents should have regular emergency items such as canned food and water. The city also explains that each family should have their own emergency plan.
Monmouth county sheriff’s department has been actively involved in educating the state on biological terrorism. Sheriff Joseph. W Oxley held a 2 day seminar with law enforcement, healthcare, and emergency management state officials in the largest workshop of its kind in the nation. The seminar educated individuals on the potential threats of nuclear biological and chemical terrorist. The Nation Sheriff’ Association held the meeting titled “Managing Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents”. This seminar ensured residents of Monmouth county that they are protected by the best ability of their local sheriffs, police chiefs and emergency management coordinators in the instance of an emergency.
Ocean Township Schools have had new security systems placed in their buildings. They also labeled each door as well as installed cameras in each main hallway. They hold monthly “lock-down” drills similar to fire drills, where the children enter the safest part of the building. To deal with emergency management my city is constantly training, preparing, planning, and monitoring our departments and community for all forms of emergencies - including terrorism. Since the events of 9/11, many of the city officials have undergone extensive training concerning specific threats. The city has also revised and updated the Terrorism Annex to our City's Emergency Operations Plan. Furthermore, the center for disease control explains not opening mail from unknown senders is a way to deal with potential terrorism.

http://www.visitmonmouth.com/sheriff/newsroom.asp?action=118%20

Jessica Teller - Mini Project #6

Prevention of Biological Terrorism in Broward County, Florida

According to Broward County Commissioner, Kristin D. Jacobs, officials in this county have a plan for emergency situations. When an emergency is declared on Broward County, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) becomes the communications center, with nearly 300 telephones and computers and major teleconfrencing equiptment. Every government agency in our county reports to this command center. Because every aspect of the county is connected, they are better able to provide the resources neceassary to properly deal with an emergency. After the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers, the EOC began to take on more responsibilities than just a communication center during weather emergencies (hurricanes). The EOC is now an emergency center for terrorist attacks or scares, hurricanes, and biological terrorism on the citizens of Broward County.

Biological terrorism is the use of chemicals aimed to kill a large group of people. The EOC in Broward County has the responsibility of informing citizens, using all resources, including the Broward Sherriff's Office and other chemical warfare specialists to help keep the citizens safe, and answering to emergencies if any were to happen. As a citizen of Broward County, I feel safer knowing that the county officials have a plan to rpotect the citizens of the county. Hopefully the precautionary plans never have to be utilized, as terrorism of any kind can completely destroy a nation.

For more information on Broward County's procedures and plans go to http://www.broward.org/ and search biological terrorism.

Alana Piselli - Mini Project #5

Superfund Sites near Ocean Township, New Jersey

Superfund Sites near Ocean Township, New Jersey, or site that addresses abandoned hazardous wastes, to New Jersey is the Region 2 site. The Region 2 superfund site is located in Niagara Falls, New York. Region 2 serves for New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For other information about superfund sites and for a complete list of the superfund sites that are located around the United Sites please visit the EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/.