Lichens are a sybiotic association of fungus (mycobiont) and algae (Pediastrum boryanum . The fungus engulfs the algae, then supplies carbs, nitrogen, and vitamins while the algae photosynthesizes. This unusual relationship enables the lichen to grow in environments where neither fungus nor algae would normally be able to solely survive. They are found on every continent, ranging all the way from the freezing Arctic to the sweltering grasslands of Africa. Even though they can live in such extreme conditions, they do require clean air. This is why they are excellent environmental indicator. An indicator species is an organism whose presence or absence reflects the overall health of an environment. Lichens flourish where there is good air quality; however, they cannot survive where the air is polluted and toxins loom. This is because they have no stomata, or pores, to shut to keep the toxins out; therefore, absorbing all of the pollutants in the air. Because they are such unique organisms, they accumulate different metal anions in the air than other organisms, like plants do, for example. Lichens attract toxic metal ions. An ion is a charged atom. If the ion has a positive charge, it is a cation. An ion with a negative charge is an anion. During the ion exchange process, Hydrogen, an anion, is released and metal cations move in. This process occurs when lichens are exposed to polluted air. When the lichens are dropped into any of the metal solutions, their cell wall releases the methylene blue ions, which are replaced by metal cations. Upon their detachment, the ions integrate into the solution, which in turn, colors it blue. The darker the solution, the more metal cations taken in by the lichen. Valence is a measure of how much an atom wants to combine with something else. If the valence of a metal ion affects lichen uptake, then the higher the cation, the…
(Par. 2)” This is a verse from a poem entitled The Panther by Rainer Maria Rilke describing the life of a panther that is locked within a cage for the use of entertainment. We will now be discussing the negative aspects of animals being used for entertainment purposes and why this will be the downfall of this wide span of businesses. To begin, stated in Green Garage’s blog about pros and cons of having zoo animals, when they are enclosed in these containers they will start to develop mental and physical health conditions, the natural born behaviors in which specific animals have will become altered due to not being able to execute a normal day as if they were in the wild, even though zoos can be used as educational means not only do many people ignore that fact but critics find it somewhat of a jokes that that still try to pawn that off to consumers as a reason to go and visit zoos. On top of that many zoos are not able to keep their place clean and not only does that affect the pull of visitors coming in which will lead to them not being able to pay for the right equipment to care for the animals. As well if they can not keep the park clean then how are the cells of the animal being up kept? (Par. 7). These points that were touched upon are very crucial in realising that the main purpose of zoos are not being used the way they were intended to, as well as revealing the harm that happens to the…
In Savages and Beasts: The Birth of the Modern Zoo, Nigel Rothfels provides his insight on the primary purpose of a zoo. According to Rothfels an animal is just a consolation of people’s ideas. But even so, he discusses their historical record. The principal reason for a zoo is its aesthetic contribution to the current time. For example, Rothfels describes his encounter with viewing a beautiful liger, who was later put on display after being stuffed. However, due to the change in what viewer’s find aesthetic, the liger’s exhibit no longer remains. People find the zoo aesthetic when it is thought to be a safe place for the animals, protecting them from their dangerous habitat, rather than the idea being locked behind bars. The author compares…
Throughout the years, it has been over looked whether or not the zoo really is a proper environment to keep animals. Are the animals really being cared for or are they being taken against their will? Are the animals in a comfortable environment or are they just another reason to make money? The zoo is an environment where people of all ages can explore and learn more about different species around the globe. It is safe for the visitors and also the animals themselves. The zoo is a productive and successful strategy for protecting endangered species worldwide because they provide animals with proper shelter, proper nutrition and they create fundraisers and charities to help save the animals.…
Some argue that zoos are fundamental to the education of their children. Additionally, some believe zoos allow children to bond with the animals. However, since animals are trapped in smaller environments, they act differently than they do in the wild. Therefore, there is no real educational value in observing these trapped animals. Animals in confinement do not hunt, play, or act as they do in their natural habitat, hence children are learning false behaviors of animals. Zoo advocates also espouse the belief that zoos are instrumental in protecting endangered species. Nevertheless, only seventeen percent of the species in zoos are endangered (“Zoo Statistics”). Many of the endangered species in zoos are stolen from the wilderness and the chances of being released back are nearly impossible because zoos need them for money (Russo). Furthermore, zoos do not release endangered animals because their ability to survive in the wild has greatly diminished as a result of time spent in captivity (Russo). The best way to preserve animals in danger of extinction is to protect them in their natural habitats, not imprison them in…
That being said wild animals that are captured for zoos are in desperate need of our empathy as well. I personally growing up have had a somewhat positive view of zoos. As I got older and learned more about them my option of them has drastically changed. In our age of smartphones and laptops, we are in desperate need of a positive influence to get kids interested in animals and the natural world. Growing up I always believed that zoo’s played a big role in this. This changed however after I read “Thought To Exist In the Wild” By Derek Johnson. Derek Johnson systematically tears apart the argument that zoos are educational when he equates zoos to pornography; they are just a superficial representation of the real thing. The whole idea of keeping animals in an enclosure teaches children that animals are inferior beings in need of our support. Which leads to believe that it is ok to treat them cruelly. Children do not even have the desired learning outcomes that we would expect. Derrick Johnson points out that when you go to a zoo you don’t see any awe or wonder. You just see children making faces at the animals and poking on the glass (Jensen, 2007). Anyone who has spent a reasonable amount of time at a zoo would have a hard time arguing with him. If children are not even learning more about animals the only reason we have zoos is purely for entertainment. Now some people…
Zoos are like internment camps and should be shut down. Animals deserve the right to live out their lives in their natural habitat, not be the source of human entertainment. Zoos are more detrimental to animals than they are good for them, even though there are conservation efforts and educational purposes for having animals in captivity. The negative aspects far outweigh any positive effects when it comes to having animals in captivity due to poor living conditions, failure to educate, and psychological trauma.…
The Civil War is a war in which railroads were a major factor. During the 1850's the world had seen growth in the railroad industry so that by 1861, 22,000 miles of track had been laid in the Northern states and around 9,550 miles in the South. The great rail centers the South were Chattanooga and most important Richmond. Wars have been fought to control supply centers, but the Confederate govt. was very slow to recognize the importance of the railroads in the conflict. By sometime in September 1863, the Southern railroads were in a such bad shape.…
For Centuries, the world’s populace have had an irresistible interest in animals and have flocked to zoos and other animal habitats such as Sea World or San Diego Zoo. Ever year, millions of families go on whale watching tours and aboard safaris or enjoy a Circus performance. However, the interest in animals is nothing new: Zoos have been around and brightening the smiles of many since the first collection of animals in our early periods of Chinese, Mesopotamian, and Egyptian civilizations (Rutledge). The term zoo is an abbreviated form of “zoological garden” and it was created in the nineteenth century (Rutledge). The reasons behind captivating wild animals are associated with the deep core study of animals, restoration, preservation and educational needs. For an extensive period, zoo authorities claimed to have contributed to the restoration of endangered animal species; due to the up rise of vocals in organizations dealing with animal rights, a matter of abuse on zoo animals has become apparent. The issue of keeping animals in captivity or not is argued on several websites and blogs. This matter has become the source of passionate disputes taking place throughout the world.…
Over the last few years, the pressure to cage animals in zoos has led to animals losing their instincts, freedom, and behavior. The threats posed by the zookeepers are encouraging anti-zoo activists to push beyond early efforts such as sending zoo animals in the wild to keep them from being captive in zoos. Today, in the interest of keeping animals in their natural habitat, many anti-zoo activists are trying to change how people poorly treat animals. Although there are those that oppose to keeping animals in their natural habitat in the wild, anti-zoo activists should make every effort to send more animals in the wild because doing so will prevent animals from suffering, allow them to be free, and keep them remain in their own natural habitat.…
In Defense of Zoos the author highlights all of the positive aspects of zoos and everything there doing right for the animals. The article states “zoos are a necessary and vital part of efforts to conserve them and other endangered animals” because of deforestation and poachers but does not provide any information on the benefits of the wild. Its conveyed in the article that the “wild” is not all its cracked up to be and is more of a fairytale certain people and groups tell themselves. For example, to try and give there claims basis the article mentions the gorilla Harambe that became very famous after his death following an incident with a child. The author talks about how Harambe the gorilla had a good life and due to being born in captivity…
For many years people have debated whether zoos are bad or good. There is the debate about animal cruelty to some extent because the animals are locked up in a cage where they have no freedom. And the other one is how animals in captivity is a good cause due to the dangers that are present in the wild now in days. These two points are an endless debate in which both sides are equivalent to each other. Yet I strongly believe that animals in captivity have more chance of survival than if they were released back into the wild.…
There are many controversies when it comes to the topic of the Zoo. The question to ask is if zoos are good or bad for the animals? And reading on in this essay with the main point you will be able to decide for your own will. Discuses in the rest of this essay will be the living conditions of animals, if they’re able to have families, how they are treated, and if they are able to reproduce. These animals suffered with poor health because they had a natural food diet that they’re weren’t used to. According to S. Mary P. Benbow, “Unsuitable feeding practices of captive animals’ still continue”, which is sad because people who don’t know about this goes to the zoo not knowing what goes on behind closed doors. “In 1992, Masha, an elephant in the Moscow Circus, died after being fed a diet of vegetables, meat, red wine, sugar, and a brew of vodka”, said Benbow in her article.…
I, like many children, have been to zoos when I was younger. Upon visiting zoos, I have decided that zoos are very cruel to keep animals caged up, often in regions and climates very different from their natural habitat. For example, elephants travel for miles in packs, when in zoos there are only several elephants with only several acres to walk around.…
Animals are better observed and learned from in the wild. A lion is better observed hunting and roaring than in captivity as a disheartened prisoner. Not only should the captivity of animals be banned,but an animal is better examined in its habitat hunting,howling,roaring,ext. People learn more about animals living in their natural habitat than in cages.To add on,zoos take away innocent,young,healthy animals away from their herd or family.Not only that but Copenhagen Zoo killed a baby giraffe by the name of Marius.After many have tried to convince the owners to let it live and after all the zoos option they decided to kill it and feed it to lions.…