Ecology In and Around a Dead Tree

The small image included with this article is an old dead tree snag on my rural property in Alabama. It is a photo of the remains of an old water oak that lived grandly for over 100 years. The tree finally succumbed to its environment and completely died of old age about 3 years ago. Still, its size and rate of deterioration suggest that the tree will be around and influencing my property for a long time yet - and for that I am pleased. What Is a Dead Tree Snag? Tree snag is a term used in forestry and forest ecology which refers to a standing, dead or dying tree. That dead tree will, over time, lose its top and will drop most of the smaller branches while creating a debris field underneath. As more time goes by, maybe as long as several decades, the tree will slowly be reduced in size and height while creating a viable ecosystem in and underneath the decomposing and falling biomass. A tree snags persistence depends on two factors - the size of the stem and the durability of the wood of the species concerned. The snags of some large conifers, such as coast redwood on the Pacific Coast of North America and the largest cedars and cypress of U.S. coastal south, can remain intact for 100 years or more, becoming progressively shorter with age. Other tree snags of species with rapidly weathering and decaying wood - like pine, birch, and hackberry - will break up and collapse in less than five years. A Tree Snags Value So, when a tree dies it still has not completely satisfied its ecological potential and the future ecological value it provides. Even in death, a tree continues to play multiple roles as it influences surrounding organisms. Certainly, the impact of the individual dead or dying tree gradually diminishes as it weathers and further decomposes. But even with decomposition, the woody structure may remain for centuries and influence habitat conditions for millennia (especially as a wetland snag). Even in death, my Alabama tree continues to have a tremendous influence on the microecology in, around, and under its decomposing trunk and branches. This particular tree provides nesting for a significant squirrel population and raccoons and is often called a den tree. Its branching limbs provide a rookery for egrets and perches for hunting birds like hawks and kingfishers. The dead bark nurtures insects that attract and feed woodpeckers and other carnivorous, insect-loving birds. The fallen limbs create understory cover and food for quail and turkey underneath the falling canopy. Decaying trees, as well as fallen logs, may actually be creating and influencing more organisms than a living tree. In addition to creating a habitat for decomposer organisms, dead trees provide critical habitat for sheltering and feeding a variety of animal species. Snags and logs also provide habitat for plants of higher orders by creating habitat provided by nurse logs. These nurse logs provide the perfect seedbed for tree seedlings in some tree species. In forest ecosystems such as the alluvial Sitka spruce-western hemlock forests of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, almost all tree reproduction is confined to rotten wood seedbeds. How Trees Die Sometimes a tree will die very quickly by a devastating insect outbreak or from the virulent disease. More frequently, however, a trees death is caused by a complex and slow process with multiple contributing factors and causes. These multiple causal concerns are typically categorized and labeled as abiotic or biotic. Abiotic causes of tree mortality include environmental stresses like flooding, drought, heat, low temperatures, ice storms, and excess sunlight. Abiotic stress is particularly associated with the death of tree seedlings. Pollutant stresses (e.g., acid precipitation, ozone, and acid-forming oxides of nitrogen and sulfur) and wildfire are usually included in the abiotic category but can significantly impact older trees. Biotic causes of eventual tree death can result from plant competition. Losing the competitive battle for light, nutrients or water will limit photosynthesis and result in tree starvation. Any defoliation, be it from insects, animals or disease can have the same long-term effect. Declines in the vigor of a tree from periods of starvation, insect and disease infestations and abiotic stresses can have a cumulative effect that eventually causes mortality.

Character Between Sonnys Blues vs a Rose for Emily Essay

PT202 Advanced Darkroom Tuesdays Spring 2013 Assignment: Moving Beyond Traditional Printing For this assignment you are to consider the five printing and one shooting methods outlined below. You will find that each of these techniques will produce interesting results. Start with a method that interests you and continue on from there. 1) Combination Printing: Using two enlargers- 1 Set up enlargers and easels using negatives of your choice. 2 Place a sheet of white paper in the easel of Image 1. Trace a simple outline of the portion of Image 1 that you want to combine with Image 2. Put this tracing into the easel of Image 2 and adjust the easel so that the portion of Image 1 falls where you desire into image 2. 3†¦show more content†¦2 Make a multiple exposure test strip under image enlarger as usual, process as usual and determine best exposure time. 3 Once the time is determined create a sabbatier test print by exposing for the time determined in step 2, then†¦ 4 Develop print in developer for 1/2 normal development time (1 minute). 5 Remaining in the darkroom move print to tray of running water, do 30-45 second rinse. Squeegee print, place on flat tray. 6 Place tray under enlarger. Stop down lens 2 stops. Make a step test on print (5-25 seconds). 7 Put print back into developer for remainder of no rmal development time (1 minute). 8 Use stop and fixer as usual. 9 Check your test print. 10 Use test print to determine best 2nd exposure (white light) time and process as usual. 4) Photogram 1 Stop down all the way. 2 Place objects on test strip. 3 Make multiple exposure test strips. 4 Make image on a full sheet of paper using exposure determined from test strip. Note: Experiment with materials- particularly interesting are materials that allow some light to pass through them so that the areas are not solid white. Consider your composition and what you are trying to achieve with the objects that you use, don’t just throw a bunch of elements on a sheet of photo paper. You can also use a small pen light to create additional exposure in white areas. You can also photogram over the top of a

Video games may make children fat Free Essays

Children have been gaining weight excessively over the last 20 years. In 1980 6.5% of the children aged 6 to 11 were obese, but by 1994 that number had climbed to 11. We will write a custom essay sample on Video games may make children fat or any similar topic only for you Order Now 3%. Currently over 30% of children are overweight, while 17% are considered obese (Parker-Pope, 2008). What has caused this epidemic like increase in child obesity? There are many proposed causes that have been linked to child obesity. However, if we examine children’s lifestyles over the last 25 years it appears that video games may be the primary contributing factor to the increase in weight and obesity rates amongst children When video games were first introduced to family households they were considered just another form of entertainment for children, not unlike radios, record players, or televisions. However, video games have evolved into media traps that promote sedentary lifestyles. Children now sit glued for hours to video screens rather than performing physical activities. In a study researchers from the University Hospital of Zurich present a strong association between playing video games and obesity in school-aged Swiss children (Edell, 2004). Their research supported the notion that when children are preoccupied with playing video games, they are not performing physical activity consistent with a healthy lifestyle. Playing video games is a sedentary activity that has a direct affect on weight gain in children. Some believe that video games have little impact on child obesity rates because children today are more aware and independent than previous generations. As a result, children are more conscious of their lives and are able to make healthy choices regarding exercise and video game playing. However, video games have developed from simple pixels and basic animation to the advanced life like games we see today. The advances in technology have made it difficult for children to stay away from video games, and some researchers believe it has psychological and addictive qualities. These powerful qualities make it difficult for children to monitor the amount of time they spend playing video games. In addition, children may also find it difficult to pull themselves away from video games in exchange for healthier physical activities. Dr. Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University, an expert on video game addiction, believes that the games of the 21st century may be more psychologically rewarding then the games of the early 1980s (BBC news, 2000). Subsequently, children may not feel fulfilled until they reach the next level of the game, or beat a high score. The addictive qualities of video games were revealed in a recent study of children in their early teens. The study revealed that one third played video games daily, and 7% played for at least 30 hours a week (BBC news, 2000). Video games are able to capture children’s minds and start the path to poor health at extremely young ages. Dr. Griffiths suggests that children as early as the age of seven are drawn to video games. The strong addictive qualities of video games may prevent a child from exercising and being active even if they wanted to. It may be easy to argue that the television is the culprit for overweight children. However, televisions have been in North American households for over 65 years, but the increase in child obesity has occurred within the previous 25 years. Televisions have remained relatively unchanged, but the video game has mutated into an interactive child magnet. Children are able to play on line, play with multiple players, and interact with gamers globally. Today’s video games are also portable, recordable, and are easily rented. In addition, video game advertising is focused at luring and capturing a child’s impressionable mind. Some studies corroborate the findings that video games, not television, are associated with overweight children. Researchers at the University of Texas surveyed almost 3000 children and found that children who played video games were more likely to be overweight than children who only watched television and didn’t play video games (Levin, 2004). Al though, televisions have made some technological advancements it appears the attraction to video games may have lead to the weight increase in children. It was not long ago when children’s laughter echoed from playgrounds and the announcement of â€Å"car† was heard from children racing to clear hockey nets from neighbourhood streets. Rather than playing on the streets and schoolyards children now lock themselves indoors playing video games. Some suggest that it is the lack of programs and green space that prevent children from being active. However, physical fitness, health, and sport have never been so accessible. Private enterprise and governments have joined forces realizing the importance of moving children from behind the video screen to the field. In addition, building developers work with city planners to ensure that housing designs represent communities with playgrounds and schools rather than concrete mazes. An excellent example of the private sector promoting fitness rather than video gaming is the Canadian Tire Jump Start Initiative (City of Hamilton, 2005). This private program, like many others, encourages fitness by providing children and youth with access to sports and recreation. In addition, government programs such as the provincially funded Communities in Action Fund provide after school programs and sport clinics to youth. The possibility of physical activity is all around us, but video games have made it difficult for children to see outside their locked doors. Of course, it may be easy to blame the fast food industry for the weight increase in children. Fast food restaurants have been in our communities prior to the 1950s, while the most recognizable fast food restaurant, McDonalds, has been in business since 1960. However, the weight increase appears to be steadily increasing within the previous 25 years; consistent with the introduction of video games rather than hamburgers. Interestingly, fast food restaurants have gone through enormous strides to provide healthy menu alternatives such as: soups, salads, lean sandwiches, fruits, and juices. Burger King for example, offers products for children that are consistent with healthy dietary choices, limiting calories, fats, and sugar in their children’s menu (Bissonnette, 2007). Blaming the restaurant industry for the weight increase may appear obvious, but upon a closer inspection it seems restaurants have done more to promote healthy weight in children than the video game industry. Most of the research measures any correlation between increases in video game playing compared to increases in weight. What would happen if video game playing was reduced? Recent research at the University of Buffalo measured the effects of limiting video game playing (University of Buffalo, 2008). The university experiment was conducted over a 2 year period and revealed that when children restricted their video game playing by an average of 17.5 hours per week they lowered their body mass index significantly. In other words, they lost weight. In summary, this topic will initiate many theories and possibilities, but there is no arguing that children’s weights have been steadily increasing over the last 20 years. When we examine children’s lifestyles and habits it appears video games may be the primary contributing factor for the weight increase. Reference http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1036088.stm http://www.healthcentral.com/drdean/408/60891.html http://www.buffalo.edu/news/9197 How to cite Video games may make children fat, Essay examples

Business and Corporations Law Relevant Fiduciary Duties

Question: Describe about the Business and Corporations Law for Relevant Fiduciary Duties. Answer: 1. Issue It is given that there is an accounting firm with three partners namely Peter, Aidan and Adrian. As per the partnership agreement, any partner could enact a contract to the tune of maximum amount of $ 10,000 without seeking permission of the other partners. However, despite this Adrian enacts contract in excess of $ 10,000 with Edgar and Tom and does not take consent from the other partners. The central issue is to opine Tom and Edgar with regards to their legal position when the other partners do not honour the contractual obligations. Law As per Section 5, each of the partner acts as the agent of the firm and also of each other with regards to business activities. Also, the partners tend to satisfy dual role of principal and agent and hence in the process they satisfy the fiduciary duties expected from both principal and agent (Bank of Australasia v Breillat (1847) 6 Moo PC 152; 13 ER 642) (Latimer, 2005). Thus, when a particular partner is acting in isolation as the firms agent, it is imperative that the partners oblige by discharging the relevant fiduciary duties (Lindgren, 2011). In this regard, a relevant case is Re Agriculturist Insurance Co (Bairds case) (1870) LR 5 Ch App 725 as per which every partner tends to in the capacity of an indefinite agent to the other in regards to any of the business related activities that is enacted by the firm provided it is as mentioned in the partnership agreement (Gibson and Fraser, 2014). As per the Partnership Act, in the event of any transaction that is enacted by one or more firm partners, the remaining partners are bound by that contract or transaction provided it is within the business scope of the firm. However, if the transaction enacted by the partner is not related to the business activity, then the firm and the partners would not be liable as has been indicated in the Mercantile Credit Co Ltd v Garrod [1962] 3 All ER 1103 case (Davenport and Parker, 2014). From the above case and s 5(1), it is evident that even if the partner enters into any contract with a third party that goes beyond the express authority as extended by the partnership agreement, then also the third party would be successful in establishing liability for the firm and its partners. The requisite parameters for the above to hold true are as follows (Harvey,2009). Transaction should be within the scope of business of the firm The third party should have been acting in good faith The third party was unaware that the partner lacked the requisite authority to execute the contract. Application As per the relevant case facts, a contract has been enacted between Adrian (partner) with the third party (Tom and Edgar) and since the contract value exceeded $ 10,000, hence Adrian should have taken the consent of the other partners. Hence, Adrian has overstepped the express authority derived from the partnership agreement. Further, the scope of the work of the contract was clearly within the ambit of the partnership firms business scope. Also, there is no evidence to suggest that Tom and Edgar knew about Adrian lacking the requisite authority to enact the contract. Since, all the conditions are met, hence the partnership firm and the partners are bound by the contract which would be considered enforceable if the third party desires so as highlighted in the verdict of Mercantile Credit Co Ltd v Garrod [1962] 3 All ER 1103 case. Thus, the teo remaining partners cannot deny making payment and taking delivery as this would amount to breach of contract and result in potential legal act ion by Tom and Edgar against the partners of the firm. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it would be fair to conclude that Tom and Edgar have an enforceable contract in the given care even though Adrian was not authorized to enact the contract of this value. Also, since Peter and Aldan are the partners of the firm, hence they would have to be comply by the contractual obligations arising from the contract in line with Section 5(1) of the Partnership Act and failing to comply with the contractual obligations would result in breach of contract and potential legal action against the defaulting partners. 2. (A) Issue One os the issues is with regards to the Nu-Slim Pty Ltd taking legal action for the termination of a rival company Fat-Away Pty Ltd citing breach of employment contract. Law It is noteworthy that there is liability of employee if the employment contract is breached without informed consent of the employer. At times, it may require that the corporate veil be lifted so as to understand the actual human controllers besides a particular action (Carter, 2012). The relevant case in this regard would be Gilford Motor Co Ltd v Horne [1933] Ch 935 where the court had to life the corporate veil as there were attempts by the company to hide their true controllers so as to escape contractual liabilities (Taylor and Taylor, 2015). As per the relevant details of this case, there was an agreement by plaintiff with regards to trade restraint. But despite this, he started a business in the same name and started executed contracts on behalf of the new company. The other shareholders of the company were his wife along with a former employee. The court in this case passed the verdict that there has been a breach of the trade restraint (Pendleton and Vickery, 2005) Application In the given case, Richard worked with a company named as Nu-Slim Pty from 2008 -2013. As per the employment contract, Richard could not start a business in the same field till three years had elapsed since her termination of employment. However, in 2014, Richard established a business named Fat-Away PtyLtd in the same domain as his previous employer. Additional shareholder in the company was his sister Frances who owned 1% of the company. It is apparent that by starting the company in the same line of business, Richard has breached the employment contract which is evident from the court verdict in Gilford Motor Co Ltd v Horne [1933] Ch 935 and hence Nu-Slim can claim damages from Richard for the loss caused. Also, an injunction order may be sought from the court to as to ensure that Richard refrains from engaging into such a business again till the cooling period of three years is over. Conclusion From the above discussion, it would be fair to conclude that Richard has indeed violated the trade restraint and hence Nu-Slim can claim damages for losses and injunction to ensure that such activity is not repeated in the cooling period. (B) Issue The central issue is to opine if United Bank Ltd could initiate legal action against Richard for non-payment of the loan installment of $ 40,000. Law In accordance with Section 124(1), Corporations Act 2001, a company unlike other legal structures tends to have a legal existence which allows the company to be separated from the owners and management (Latimer, 2005). The business of the company is conducted by the management acting as principle for the firm. The various assets and liabilities essentially belong to the company and are separate from the personal assets and liabilities of the owners (Gibson and Fraser, 2014). Also, the company can enter into contracts and can be sued by other parties to whom the company has undischarged liabilities. In accordance with law, the liabilities of the shareholders extend only to unpaid component of equity shares but not to the payment of companys debts (Section 516) (Paterson, Robertson and Duke, 2015).This is because the owners typically have limited liability with regards to the obligations of the company. This is apparent from the verdict pronounced by the court in the Salomon v Salomon Co Ltd [1897] AC 22 case. In the given case, the shareholders were not held liable for the debentures issued by the company (Pathinayake, 2014). Application As per the relevant details, the company Fat-Away Pty Ltd has two shareholders i.e. Richard (99% owner) and his sister Frances (1% owner). The company assumed a loan of $ 500,000 as the start up capital but due to adverse conditions prevailing in the business has not been able to make a loan installment payment of $ 40,000 to the United Bank. In the given case, the loan has been extended by the bank to the company which in accordance with Section 124 is a separate legal entity separate from the shareholders. Also, as per section 526, the shareholders are not liable for the liabilities of the company which is a separate entity. Hence, in the given case the lender (United Bank) in order to receive money can initiate proceedings against the company but not against the shareholders i.e. Richard and Frances. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it is fair to conclude that the United Bank for recovery of the loan installment cannot sue Richard and hence should instead sue the company Fat-Away Pty Ltd.. References Carter, J. (2012), Contract Act in Australia, Sydney: LexisNexis Publications Davenport, S. and Parker, D. (2014), Business and Law in Australia, Sydney: LexisNexis Publications Gibson, A. and Fraser, D. (2014), Business Law, Sydney: Pearson Publications Harvey, C. (2009), Foundations of Australian law. Victoria: Tilde University Press Latimer, P. (2005). Australian business law, Sydney: CCH Australia Lindgren, K.E. (2011), Vermeesch and Lindgren's Business Law of Australia, Sydney: LexisNexis Publications Pendleton, W. and Vickery, N. (2005), Australian business law: principles and applications, Sydney: Pearson Publications Pathinayake, A. (2014), Commercial and Corporations Law, Sydney: Thomson-Reuters Paterson, J., Robertson, A. and Duke, A. (2015), Principles of Contract Law, Sydney:Thomson Reuters Taylor, R. and Taylor, D. (2015), Contract Law, London: Oxford University Press