Ecs 111march 2018these Are Suggested Homework You May ✓ Solved

ECS 111 March 2018 These are suggested homework. You may also choose any of the articles introduced in class as a review topic. As discussed in class, you should not try and answer all of these. Choose one or two and do a complete essay on them. References should not be random blogs, but juried articles or news items from archived media such as NYT or the Economist.

1) Choose a wild animal and discuss its basic habitat and its role in this ecosystem or set of ecosystems. What is its current status relative to conservation concerns? What constitutes its primary food source? 2) Describe one of the major biomes found on earth. Include a discussion of its primary physical and biological attributes.

In particular what are the climate, water and soils associated with this biome? What sort of plants and animals define it? 3) Compare and contrast two of the types of soil profiles discussed during the class. Discuss their distribution and the role they have in maintaining their associated ecosystems. 4) Discuss von Humboldt’s observation that the different biomes seen as one goes from the equator to the poles are also found with altitude in mountain systems.

Why does this vary depending on which side of the mountain range is considered? Provide some examples. 5) Consider the following population equations. Compute the steady states and discuss them. What type of system is this?

6) Choose a fishery and describe its attributes. What are the target species? Is this particular fishery sustainable? How does this fishery deal with issues such as markets, management techniques, and bycatch? 7) Discuss the immigration issues currently facing the European Union.

How are these being handled by the various member states? Is this a threat to the EU itself? What are the consequences of these demographic shift in the Middle East? 8) Write an essay on the use of fire by human cultures. You might approach this broadly or focus on a particular culture such as the native Americans or the Bantu of Africa.

9) What factors are involved in the transition of a forest ecosystem into a grassland? Consider the anthropogenic place in such transitions. What are the evolutionary issues here? 10) Consider the tundra biome and its physical attributes. What uses of this biome by various countries have affected these regions in the past one hundred years?

BA 602 Management of Information Systems Group Assignment 1: Developing IT Compliance Program The IT compliance program cannot be conceived in isolation and devoid of the key links to non-IT and financial compliance. Effective IT compliance requires an aggregate vision and architecture to achieve compliance that goes beyond becoming infatuated with a given control framework. As a group, provide a detailed plan of action based on life cycle concepts to develop and deploy an ongoing IT compliance process. Your plan should provide practical knowledge on what you should consider when developing and implementing an IT compliance program for key regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, Gramm- Leach-Bliley, PCI and others to achieve meaningful IT governance.

Your plan should include the following: ï‚· Discuss the challenges IT divisions face in achieving regulatory compliance ï‚· Assess how IT governance will improve the effectiveness of the IT Division to attain regulatory compliance ï‚· Develop a broad vision, an architecture, and a detailed plan of action that follows a life cycle concept ï‚· Assess all key business processes and IT compliance factors and link to all business processes (financial and non-IT) to develop an aggregate vision of IT compliance ï‚· Your detailed plan should include the following phases: initiate, plan, develop and implement. Timeline: 1. Part 1 Outline: Start and complete an outline of your group project no later than day 3 (Wednesday) of Week 2.

In your outline, provide detailed information on how you plan to complete the project including responsibilities assigned to each group member. Use Power Point (10 points) 2. Part 2 Draft: Submit a draft of your group project no later than the last day (Sunday) of Week 2. Your draft should include individual contributions. Each member group must be clearly identified and the parts he/she worked on should be provided (20 points).

Use Microsoft Word only. 3. Part 3 Final Draft: Submit final draft no later than the last day (Sunday) of Week 5. (30 points). Your final draft is a unified copy of your daft. Combine the contributions from each member and produce a unified and comprehensive discussion.

Use Microsoft Word only. Format: Please use APA throughout. Review your APA for additional help on formatting, in-text citations, referencing, etc. Special Note: Your professor may modify the due dates for Parts 1 and 2 based on your required residency date. If your residency falls in week 2, Parts 1 and 2 will be completed at the residency in week 2. If your residency is falls in week 1, your professor will modify the due dates Parts 1 and 2 will be completed at the residency in week 1.

Paper for above instructions

Wild Animal Habitat and Conservation: The Role of the African Elephant

Introduction

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is a keystone species that plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance in various habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. While these majestic creatures symbolize the African wilderness, their very existence is under threat due to various anthropogenic factors. This essay delves into the basic habitat of the African elephant, its ecological role, current conservation status, and primary food sources.

Habitat

African elephants inhabit a range of environments, including savannas, forests, and deserts, with their habitat extending throughout 37 countries in Africa (Blanc et al., 2007). These ecosystems vary significantly in terms of vegetation, climate, and water availability, influencing the elephants' distribution and behavior.
The savanna ecosystems, characterized by grasslands interspersed with acacia trees, offer abundant resources necessary for the elephants' survival. Conversely, forest habitats, particularly in Central and West Africa, provide essential coverage and diverse food options (Douglas-Hamilton, 2008). Elephants are known to migrate across large distances in search of water and food—patterns influenced by seasonal variations and resource availability (Thouless, 1996).

Ecological Role

The African elephant plays a pivotal role within its ecosystem, acting as a landscape architect through feeding and movement activities. By uprooting trees and shrubs, elephants help maintain open habitats that benefit various herbivore species (Dublin et al., 1990). Their foraging behavior facilitates the growth of grasses and assists in nutrient cycling. In doing so, they contribute directly to the health of the savanna and forest ecosystems.
Moreover, elephants also assist in seed dispersal. Many plant species depend on elephants to transport their seeds, which are later deposited through dung, leading to increased plant diversity (Campos-Arceiz & Blake, 2011). The presence of elephants is essential in sustaining the intricate relationships among various flora and fauna within their habitats.

Conservation Status

Despite their vital ecological role, African elephants are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (IUCN, 2021). Over the past century, the population has been drastically reduced due to poaching for ivory and habitat loss due to human encroachment, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The Great Elephant Census of 2016 revealed a staggering decline of over 30% in savanna elephant populations across Africa between 2007 and 2014, indicating an alarming trend (Wittemyer et al., 2014). This situation calls for urgent conservation measures to safeguard their remaining populations and habitats.

Primary Food Sources

African elephants are herbivorous and require large amounts of food daily. They consume a diverse diet consisting of leaves, bark, fruits, and grasses, with their diet varying by habitat (Maloiy et al., 1973). In savanna regions, they predominantly feed on grasses and low shrubs, while forest elephants favor fruits and leaves from trees such as fig and oil palm. Their foraging activities are crucial in maintaining healthy plant communities and the overall health of the ecosystem.

Conservation Challenges

Conservation efforts face numerous challenges that hinder the successful protection of African elephants. Poaching for ivory remains the most significant threat, despite international bans like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (CITES, 2016). Illegal wildlife trafficking networks often circumvent legal frameworks, making it increasingly difficult to combat poaching.
Moreover, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and urbanization exacerbates the situation. As human populations grow and encroach on elephant territories, conflicts arise, leading to negative perceptions of elephants among local communities (Sukumar, 2003). These human-elephant conflicts often result in retaliatory killings, further impacting elephant populations.

Conservation Efforts

To combat these challenges, both local and international organizations are actively involved in conservation efforts. Anti-poaching initiatives, including increased surveillance and ranger patrols, have been established in several African countries. Programs aimed at community engagement are critical in fostering coexistence between humans and elephants. Many initiatives focus on providing alternative livelihoods to reduce dependency on practices that threaten elephant habitats (Karanth et al., 2012).
Additionally, enjoying habitat protection efforts, such as the establishment of national parks and wildlife reserves, helps create safe zones for elephants to thrive. International cooperation and support for these initiatives through funding and resources are also vital to increasing their effectiveness.

Conclusion

The African elephant is an invaluable component of various ecosystems in Africa, influencing ecological dynamics through its feeding behavior and habitat interactions. However, the status of these magnificent creatures remains precarious due to poaching and habitat loss. Conservation efforts that encompass community engagement, anti-poaching measures, and habitat protection are essential steps toward ensuring a future for African elephants.
As we endeavor to protect this keystone species, an integrated approach involving local communities, governments, and international organizations will be pivotal. The plight of the African elephant serves as a reminder of the broader environmental challenges faced worldwide and the importance of dedicated conservation actions.

References

1. Blanc, J. J., Craig, G. C., & Dublin, H. T. (2007). African Elephant Status Report 2007: An Update from the African Elephant Database. IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group.
2. Campos-Arceiz, A., & Blake, S. (2011). Asian elephants and their role in forest ecosystems. Asian Elephant Conservation, 45-56.
3. CITES. (2016). CITES CoP17 – 2016.
4. Douglas-Hamilton, I. (2008). On the African elephant population crisis: An overview. Pachyderm, 44(1), 8-22.
5. Dublin, H. T., Sinclair, A. R. E., & McGlade, J. (1990). Elephants and land use in East Africa. Pachyderm, 13(1), 16-23.
6. IUCN. (2021). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
7. Karanth, K. K., DeFries, R., & Singh, N. J. (2012). Coexistence between wildlife and people: the case of the Asian elephant in India. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 10(10), 455-462.
8. Maloiy, G. M. O., et al. (1973). Foraging behavior of the African elephant in relation to temperature and humidity in Tsavo, Kenya. African Journal of Ecology, 11(3), 203-220.
9. Sukumar, R. (2003). The Asian Elephant: A Natural History. Sundaram Publications.
10. Wittemyer, G., Elsen, P., bean, S., & Wilcove, D. S. (2014). Key Article: Illegal killing for ivory drives global decline in African elephants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(36), 1-6.