Chapter+3

= **​​Chapter 3 - Living Resources** =

** Section 1 - Environmental Issues **
We studied the different types of environmental issues and made a glog and a video. media type="custom" key="5535873"

This is the video. It includes Renewable Resources, Over Population, and Pollution. media type="youtube" key="xAmRXGhawRg" height="385" width="480"

Section 2 - Forests & Fisheries
Our group studied Forests & Fisheries. We learned about what they are, the resources they provide us and the importance of them. A a couple of facts to get you interested in our topic are the following: For more information on our topic please watch the following video which includes a rap :)
 * We get most of our fish from the fisheries
 * Fisheries are not around as much any more
 * Each year about 4 billion trees are cut down to be used as paper. That is about 35% of the trees.

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[[image:antarctica.jpg width="251" height="202"]] [[image:Coral_reef.jpg width="224" height="176"]] [[image:Rainforest.jpg width="196" height="244"]]
For billions of years, the large multitude of species on this Earth have lived together through harmony and dischord. Predators seek prey, and prey seek refuge from countless hours of wary vigilance. The reason these relationships are possible is attributed to the existence of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the healthy coexistence of different species in a given biome. There are certain organisms that, in any healthy and diverse biome, greatly influence the lives of the species around them. These species are known as keystone species. There are numerous examples of keysone species throughout the world, but we have chosen to focus on three that we find interesting and important.

**__ The Grizzly Bear __**
Near the north western border between the United States and Canada there is a very intricate biome. This area is the northern section of the Rocky Mountains, where the grizzly bears also known as Ursus arctos horribilis roams as one of the most vicious bears in the world. The grizzly bear is a subspecies of the brown bear but is exceedingly more vicious. The Grizzly is also a keystone species in the northern rocky biome.

The Grizzly bear is also more carnivorous then most other brown bears. This type of grizzly bear hunts mostly herbivores including Moose, Elk, Mountain Sheep, and Mountain Goat. Since these species eat so much plant life, if there population grew unchecked, the amount of plant species and life would diminish. This would result in the destruction of the whole ecosystem. But thanks to the Grizzly bears and other species diet, they help keep the population of herbivores in check. This is why Grizzly bears are so important to their biome. Unfortunately the Grizzly bear population has been waning, and the whole species is now threatened. This in turn, endangers the whole biome in which they live.

media type="youtube" key="Gzhr2gqsEWY" height="344" width="425"(A note on the video - you might want to fast-forward to around 0:43. Nothing interesting happens until then)

__**Black-Tailed Prairie Dog**__

The species that I've chosen to research is the Black-Tailed Prairie dog. The prairie dog is a relatively small animal, growing to just over a foot in length, with the male prairie dog larger than the female. It spends its days in communal prairie dog settlements; usually formed on different flat, dry savannas and grasslands. They live in small burrows in that they dig, and the entire prairie dog community often shares these burrows. The average lifespan of a Black-Tailed prairie dog is often only 1 year, as many have a hard time surviving birth. However, there have been cases where a female prairie dog had reached the age of 8 years, and a male aging to 5. Throughout their short life they most of their time burrowing, scavenging for food and mating. Males happen to be polygynous, mating with several females during a season. Most of the mating occurs beneath the ground, however there are times in which it can take place above ground.

These animals are beneficial to their ecosystem in a number of ways. They keep the near vegetation around their settlement short, allowing more visibility to other animals. It has also been found that there are certain plant species that rarely exist on other parts of the prairie, but are extremely prevalent in and around prairie dog settlements. Their numerous burrows keep the ground healthy and aerated, allowing for better plant growth. They are also providers of shelter and food to other animals. The Black-Footed ferret is a highly endangered animal, and a few years ago it went through a very real threat of extinction. The prairie dogs provided homes for the ferrets in their burrows, allowing them to survive.

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**__Forbes's Sea Star__**

The Forbes's sea star is one of the most common sea stars. It is found in intertidal zones along the coast of the North American Atlantic. It usually lives on rocks, boulders, and shellfish beds. Interestingly, the Forbes's sea star is often found in large groups, however it never forms colonies. The Forbes's sea star is 7-15cm. in diameter. It can be a variety of colors, from tan to brown to olive. It's "spiny" look comes from its skeleton, which is made up of many small bones called ossicles that are joint together by a connective tissue. The Forbes's sea star is carnivorous, feeding mostly on muscles. It will also eat marine worms, crustaceans, and sea urchins. It has an interesting way of eating muscles: it first pulls the shell apart with the suctions on its arms, then regurgitates its stomach into the shell. The muscles is digested alive inside its own shell, being turned into a nutricious juice.

The Forbes's sea star is a keystone species because of this feeding habit. By eating muscles, the sea star keeps their popuation under control. Without an overpopuation of an otherwise dominant species, other animals can grow and diversify without much competition. In one study in which scientists removed the sea stars from their habitat, it was found that the muscle population quickly grew, killing off much of the marine life.

media type="youtube" key="3KJ_WE69r0w" height="344" width="425"(This video is interesting - watch it for the whole ten minutes! You have the time.)

Section 4: Integrating Health - The Search for New Medicines
== Many different herbs and plants are used to cure or treat different diseases. Natural chemicals in the plants have to ability to make things happen in the body that most unnatural chemicals can't do. Some examples would be The Pacific Yew Tree, The Madagascar Rosy Periwinkle and The Foxglove Plant. To see and learn more about the plants listed above click on the link at the bottom of the web page as well as reading the paragraphs below. __TAXOL__ Taxol is a medicine that cures cancer and is made from natural resources. Taxol is taken by many people with cancer and other diseases. Pacific yew trees are found in the temperate forest that contains crystals in the bark that makes taxol. The chemical substance in the bark is the taxol. Taxol crystals have been proven to affect cancer in very unusual way; Taxol crystals help cancer cells from dividing rapidly and causing tumors. Taxol also helps shrink certain types of tumors caused by cancer cells; and sometimes it stops cancer from spreading throughout the entire body. If you want more information on the Pacific Yew tree check out our poster in the downstairs hall. ==

THE MADAGASCAR ROSY PERIWINKLE AND THE FOXGLOVE PLANT
== The Madagascar Periwinkle (Left) is used to alter the immune system, increase urine production, and lower blood sugar. The medication from this plant comes from the "above ground" leaves. It is also used to treat diabetes in some cases. It's scientific name is Cathanrantus Roseus. In Greek Cathanrantus translates to "clean or pure flower" and Roseus in latin translates to "rose colored. == == The Foxglove Plant (right) is used for heart medication. It can grow up to six feet tall and is a very common plant. The medication was discovered by an english physician named William Withering. He met an old woman who used various herbal medications to treat heart failure. ==