The Layers of a Forest From Floor to Canopy

Forests are habitats in which the trees are the dominant form of vegetation. They occur in many regions and climates around the globe—the tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin, the temperate forests of eastern North America, and the boreal forests of northern Europe are just a few examples. Species Composition The species composition of a forest is often unique to that forest, with some forests consisting of many hundreds of species of trees while others consist of just a handful of species. Forests are constantly changing and progress through a series of successional stages during which species composition changes within the forest. Thus, making general statements about forest habitats can be difficult. Yet despite the variability of our planets forests, there are some basic structural characteristics that many forests share—characteristics that can help us to better understand both forests and the animals and wildlife that inhabit them. The Layers of a Forest Mature forests often have several distinct vertical layers. These include: Forest floor layer:  The  forest floor  is often blanketed with decaying leaves, twigs, fallen trees, animal scat, moss, and other detritus. The forest floor is where recycling occurs, fungi, insects, bacteria, and earthworms are among the many organisms that break down waste materials and ready them for reuse and recycling throughout the forest system.Herb layer:  The  herb layer  of the forest is dominated by herbaceous (or soft-stemmed) plants such as grasses, ferns, wildflowers, and other ground covers. Vegetation in the herb layer often gets little light and in forests with thick canopies, shade tolerant species are predominant in the herb layer.Shrub layer: The shrub layer is characterized by woody vegetation that grows relatively close to the ground. Bushes and brambles grow where enough light passes through the canopy to support shrub growth.Understory layer: The understory of a forest consists of immature trees and small trees that are shorter than the main canop y level of the tree. Understory trees provide shelter for a wide range of animals. When gaps form in the canopy, often times understory trees take advantage of the opening and grow to fill in the canopy.Canopy layer:  The canopy is the layer where the crowns of most of the forests trees meet and form a thick layer.Emergent layer:  Emergents are trees whose crowns emerge above the rest of the canopy. Mosaic of Habitats These different layers provide a mosaic of habitats and enable animals and wildlife to settle into various pockets of habitat within the overall structure of a forest. Different species use the various structural aspects of the forest in their own unique ways. Species might occupy overlapping layers within a forest but their use of those layers might occur at different times of the day so that they do not compete with one another.

Noise in Electronic Communications Systems - 1312 Words

An additive noise is characteristic of almost all communication systems. This additive noise typically arises from thermal noise generated by random motion of electrons in the conductors comprising the receiver. In a communication system the thermal noise having the greatest effect on system performance is generated at and before the first stage of amplification. This point in a communication system is where the desired signal takes the lowest power level and consequently the thermal noise has the greatest impact on the performance. This characteristic is discussed in more detail in Chapter 10. This chapter’s goal is to introduce the mathematical techniques used by communication system engineers to characterize and predict the†¦show more content†¦It turns out that W(t) is accurately characterized as a stationary, Gaussian, and white random process. Consequently, our first task is to define a random process (Section 9.1). The exposition of the characteristics of a Gaussian random process (Section 9.2) and a stationary Gaussian random process (Section 9.3) then will follow. A brief discussion of the characteristics of thermal noise is then followed by an analysis of stationary random processes From this point forward in the text the experimental outcome index will be dropped and random processes will be represented as N(t). EXAMPLE 9.1 A particular random process is defined as N(t) = U exp[−|t|] + V (9.1) where U and V are independent random variables. It is clear that with each sample value of the random variables U(ω) and V (ω) there will be a time function N(t, ω). This example of a random process is not typical of a noise process produced in real communication systems but it is an example process that proves insightful as we develop tools to characterize noise in communications. EXAMPLE 9.2 A noise generator and a lowpass filter are implemented in Matlab with a sample rate of 22,050 kHz. Recall each time Matlab is run this is equivalent to a different experiment outcome, i.e., a different ω. A sample path of the input noise to the filter, W(t), and a sample path at the output of the filter, N(t), is shown in Figure 9.3 for a filter with a bandwidth of 2.5 kHz. It isShow MoreRelatedWireless Communication : A First Decade Of The 20th Century1356 Words   |  6 PagesTelecommunication occurs when the exchange of information between two or more entities (communication) includes the use of technology. Communication technology uses channels to transmit information (as electrical signals), either over a physical medium (such as signal cables), or in the form of electromagnetic waves.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The word is often used in its plural form, telecommunications, because it involves many different technologies. Early means of communicating over a distance includedRead MoreUnit 1 Assignment 1 Essay example973 Words   |  4 PagesSection 1-1 1. Define modulation. In electronics and telecommunications, modulation is the process of varying one or more properties of a periodic waveform, called the carrier signal, with a modulating signal that typically contains information to be transmitted. *2. What is carrier frequency? The frequency generated by an unmodulated radio, radar, carrier communication, or other transmitter, or the average frequency of the emitted wave when modulated by a symmetrical signal. Also known as centerRead MoreThe Effects of Noise on a Communication System1494 Words   |  6 PagesCommunication is the process of sharing ideas, information and messages with others in a particular time and place. It includes writing and talking, as well as nonverbal communication (such as facial expressions, body language, or gestures), visual communication (the use of images or pictures, such as paintings, photography, video, or film), and electronic communication (telephone calls, electronic mail, digital television, or satellite broadcasts). Communication is a vital part of personal lifeRead MoreCyber Warfare Techniques And Technology Development Virtual Environment1659 Words   |  7 Pagesthreats to national security coming from the cyber domain, military intelligence corps have recognized the need for officers trained in cyberspace counterterrorism techniques, technologies, and methods. These officers direct and conduct integrated electronic warfare, information technology, and cyberspace operations, as authorized or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to our nation s adversaries. In support of the requirementRead MoreEvaluation Of A Seminar Report Essay1063 Words   |  5 PagesDepartment of Electronics and Communication Engineering MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (A Constituent Institute of Manipal University) MANIPAL-576 104 Month 2016 INTRODUCTION: ECM: An electronic countermeasure (ECM) is an electrical or electronic device intended to trick or mislead radar, sonar or other detection systems, like infrared (IR) or lasers. It may be used both offensively and cautiously to negate targeting data to an enemy. The system may makeRead MoreAnalog and Digital Signal772 Words   |  4 Pagesa digital signal, in which a continuous quantity is represented by a discrete function which can only take on one of a finite number of values. The term analog signal usually refers to electrical signals; however, mechanical, hydraulic, and other systems may also convey analog signals. An analog signal uses some property of the medium to convey the signals information. For example, an aneroid barometer uses rotary position as the signal to convey pressure information. In an electrical signal, theRead MoreSteganography Analysis : Steganography And Steganography1592 Words   |  7 Pagesas attackers would detect, and react to, the presence of enciphered communications. But when information hiding is used, even if an eavesdropper snoops the transmitted object, he cannot suspect the secret information in the communication since it is carried out in a concealed way. 1.1.2 Limitations of Cryptography over Steganography One of the main drawbacks of cryptography is that the outsider is always aware of the communication because of the incomprehensible nature of the text. Steganography overthrowsRead MoreP4 Explain strategies used in health and social care environments to overcome barriers to effective communication and interpersonal interactions.1271 Words   |  6 Pageseffective communication and interpersonal interactions. Introduction Health and social care settings can present a variety of barriers to effective communication and interpersonal interaction. However these barriers and environmental factors can be overcome with the use of specific strategies targeting specific barriers. In this assignment, I am going to explain a number of these strategies aimed at improving the quality of communication in health and social care settings. A. Communication and interpersonalRead MoreCU2650 Support Individuals with Specfic Communication Needs1465 Words   |  6 PagesCU2650 Support Individuals with Specific Communication Needs 1.1 The importance of meeting a service user’s communication needs is very important. In my job role I need to communicate with people all the time. First and foremost the service user I am supporting, but there are also their family and friends, who are likely to be involved in the personal support plan. The way in which I communicate will be different depending on the service user I am communicating with and the purpose of whichRead MoreHuman Rights and Communication Essay853 Words   |  4 PagesIndividuals with Specific Communication Needs 1 1.1 Every individual has a right to communication and we are governed by standards and codes of practice to ensure that these needs are met. Communication is a basic human right, without communication the individual is unable to realise or exercise their rights. Under the human rights act 1998 all people have the right to ‘freedom of expression’. 1.2 When working with service users who have specific communication needs it is important to

Sports And Agression Essay Research Paper Sports free essay sample

Sports And Agression Essay, Research Paper Sports and Aggression A Research Paper Presented to # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8211 ; at # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8211 ; In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for English 12A By # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; # 8212 ; Period 1 March 27, 2000 Make athleticss make aggressive behaviour, or merely attract people who are already aggressive? Aggression and athletics have gone together every bit long as athleticss have been around, be it the participants themselves, to the parents, managers, or witnesss, they merely seem to be an inseparable portion of each other. The term force is defined as physical assault based on entire neglect for the well being of ego and others, or the purpose to wound another individual ( 2. Coakley ) . Intimidation normally does non do physical injury, but frequently is designed to bring forth psychological effects, enabling one individual to physically over power or rule another. These statements as defined by the writer, Jay J. Coakley, is what people today have made a must portion on athletics. Pleasure and engagement athleticss perfectly can non be grouped with power and public presentation athleticss when in relation to aggression.Pleasure athleticss are merely played for pleasance. Mark is normally non maintain. The jocks take parting are normally on juncture making it for merriment and exercising. A bulk of jocks who have been playing athleticss since they were small, have likely been pounded into their caputs that to be successful in athletics, you need to be aggressive, and at some times, unneeded. Besides that to acquire what you want, you have to travel at it with all force. Not that this is incorrect but, this attitude in today # 8217 ; s society has been a major job factor to the jocks when they get older, to acquire into problem with the jurisprudence. Those long-run effects of so called subject, patterns develops these destructive behaviours. ( 9. Montague ) Although some people are still in belief that aggressive behaviours in all signifiers, are grounded int o inherent aptitudes, but they besides relate these actions to athleticss. Their parents played, who were known for their aggressive behaviour, so the kid feels that they have to populate up to that outlook. ( 6. Storr ) Athletes do hold to be aggressive to a point, so that the squad can organize a scheme to win. There is besides a bound to aggression when it turns into force. Peoples might state that it # 8217 ; s non aggression or force, it # 8217 ; s merely adrenaline pumping. Adrenaline International Relations and Security Network # 8217 ; t even similar to force. Aggression, possibly, but nil that would be harmful to anyone else. This might be a factor to why contact athleticss are so popular. For illustration, football, hockey, rugger, wrestle, and packaging. Contrary to anticipations of replete theory, several surveies show that contact athleticss exist and thrive in the same societies that have high rates of aggression and force. Unfortunately, another belief is that cont act athleticss Teach subject, self-respect, and self-defence. ( 8. May ) Contact athleticss aren # 8217 ; t a positive manner to learn these things. Bing physically tough aid, but it besides needs to be left on the field when the game is over. This can besides take to the maltreatment of household, girlfriends, fellows, friends, and any other individual who gets in their # 8220 ; manner # 8221 ; , because jocks use these athleticss as a manner to acquire their aggression and cholers out. ( 10. Hauser, Powers, Noam ) Other # 8217 ; s might reason that it # 8217 ; s skill, and non in the least manner violent. Although we truly can # 8217 ; t give a heterosexual and to the point reply to the inquiry # 8220 ; Is aggression an Instinct? # 8221 ; We can state that in adult male, as in other animate beings, there exists a physiological mechanism, when stimulated, it rises both subjective feelings of choler and to physical alterations, which relate to contending. This is easy set of f, and like other emotional responses, it is really stereotypic, and natural. Just like one individual is like a really angry individual ; they resemble one another at the psychological degree. The manner in which worlds adapt to and command their feelings of fury. ( 5. Toch ) The mechanisms in which these organic structure alterations, the maps that come about is still wholly misunderstood. ( 5. Toch ) Experiments from animate being # 8217 ; s show that it appears that there is a little country from the base of the encephalon in which the feeling of choler starts. This, from which is sent to the nervous urges that cause the blood force per unit area to lift. This country is called the hypothalamus. Its map is to organize responses like choler. ( 3 Diamond ) The relationship between choler, fury, and force, and abnormal psychology that is unnatural, or unnatural in human behaviour and experience. Peoples demonstrate their choler reactions in different ways. Similar to most human be haviour, force has a significance that it merely seems # 8220 ; senseless # 8221 ; or # 8220 ; meaningless # 8221 ; to the extent that we are unable to understand it. Most force starts the fiery human emotions of choler and fury. Not all violent behaviour has its beginnings in choler and fury ; some of it is learned, as mentioned before. Some force is driven chiefly by as Friedrich Nietzsche referred as # 8220 ; the will to power # 8221 ; . In other words, fury. ( 3. Diamond ) Fury is an instinctual and defensive reaction to severe emphasis, or physical menace. This is an automatic physiological reaction that people portion with animate beings. This response to serious menace is referred to by Walter Cannon as the # 8220 ; fight or flight # 8221 ; response. It # 8217 ; s the first defence for the endurance of the species. Any other menace to the continued physical being, a individual would hold the inherent aptitude to seek to go forth, or if they can # 8217 ; T, so physic ally support them by assailing the beginning of the menace. ( 7. Hawkynss, Fredman ) Associating to the fact that work forces are more aggressive than adult females are, surveies shown in several instances those testosterone degrees in immature work forces particularly are. The high degrees of endogenous testosterone seem to promote behavior seemingly intended to rule, to heighten one # 8217 ; s position over other people. ( 9. Montague ) Sometimes aggressive behaviour is aggressive, it # 8217 ; s evident purpose being to bring down injury on another individual, but frequently laterality is expressed nonaggressively. Measurement of testosterone at a individual point in clip presumptively index of a adult male # 8217 ; s basal testosterone degree, predicts many of these dominant behaviours. Numerous carnal experiments, this one specific to gnawers, show that raising testosterone additions aggressiveness. This is in relation to the laterality and antisocial behaviour related to the persons. An person can be said to move dominantly if it # 8217 ; s evident purpose is to accomplish or keep high position, to obtain power influence, or valued privileges. Rodents do typically rule sharply, but it isn # 8217 ; t true of worlds. Much of interpersonal behaviour is overtly or subtly concerned with pull offing laterality and subordination without doing physical injury. It is harder to place cases of aggression of a dominating motivations, things related to spiritual forfeits. It is understood that motives are different from different state of affairss for laterality and aggression. ( 1. Felson, Tedeschi ) Clinical scientific discipline assumes that all work forces are capable of bloody destructiveness. It maintains that image with most people who do off with their hates and, and although There are some cases where this attempt fails. Some people are so diffident about their aggressiveness that when they are provoked in the least small manner, they become so violent t hat they are intolerable. Even a little reappraisal of violent behavior suggests that force International Relations and Security Network # 8217 ; t blind, and random. Members of active packs are often nonviolent when separated from their members. Many highly unsafe people seem to specialise in certain countries of victims. This is in relation to taking the aggressiveness off the field. There is sometimes a relationship between being violent and being socially improper. Violence normally takes topographic point in certain circles, certain scenes, and on certain occasions. If force is truly unsighted and random, it # 8217 ; s difficult to understand why we should happen so much in specific state of affairss. Does a adult male assault his married woman instead than the jock who messed up merely because she # 8217 ; s available? Violence can # 8217 ; t be associated with angry detonations. There is form and signifier to force. Patterns of destructiveness show systematically, and the y relay from individual to individual. As for each of us, force seems to be tied to a restricted scope of life state of affairss. It seems to reflect intent, and implies the presence of concealed significances. So, how do we fulfill it? How is it provoked? How do violent people map? ( 4. Stepansky ) The degree of testo sterone circulating in the blood stream may impact ruling or aggressive behaviour by triping receptors in variety meats or the nervous system. Concentrating on immature males who have passed through pubescence. There are associated studies that show a comparatively high degree of testosterone with dominant, aggressive, or antisocial histrions including several surveies of work forces in gaol. The scientists found that no important testosterone difference between those who fought in prison, and those who did non, between the ages of 18 to 35. However, captives with a anterior record of force and aggression related offenses, they had a significantly higher testosterone degree than those without a history. In the age group of 18to 45, sorted into the same groups, those with chronic aggressive behaviour, those socially dominant without physical aggressiveness, and those who were neither aggressive or dominant, their testosterone degrees were non significantly different between the aggres sive and dominant groups, but they besides had significantly higher testosterone than the group that was either aggressive or dominant. ( 7. Hawkynss, Fredman ) A similar survey was tested on college hockey participants. ( 1. Felson, Tedeschi ) They studied 14 male college participants ages 18 to 23, and found a important correlativity between testosterone and manager evaluations of player’s aggressiveness in respond to menace. Another survey was done on four male doctors. Ranging from ages to 23 to 38, they were confined on a boat for a two hebdomad holidaycruise. The testosterone degree to be correlated with the physician’s assertiveness and dominant behaviour, as ranked by three adult females on the boat. Overall, there is considerable grounds from a assortment of scenes that in work forces, go arounding testosterone is correlated with dominant or aggressive behaviour, and antisocial norm breakage. Correlation doesn’t connote any ground, and the inquiry is st ill being pondered, â€Å"Is high testosterone a cause of dominant and antisocial behaviour? † ( 9. Montague ) There has besides been argument whether or non that adult females can be as aggressive and dominant as work forces. Despite considerable guess that testosterone is associated with aggression or position in adult females, the literature is few and far between. Scientists report that testosterone degrees in 55 adult females increased the position of their businesss. Another survey was done with adult females who were patients in a neurological clinic, found significantly higher testosterone degrees among comparatively aggressive patients compared to less aggressive 1s, but they besides differed in diagnois, and doing the comparing suspect. ( 5. Toch ) The issue of sex differences has been addressed by inquiring how work forces and adult females respond to an indistinguishable competitory state of affairs. Testosterone was given by spit to immature work forces and adult females before, during, and after viing with a same sex spouse in a picture game. The hormonal response to the competition was different in each sex. Males showed the usual pre – competition rise in testosterone, but females did non. Males did non demo the usual consequence that testosterone degrees of victors is higher than that of also-rans, seemingly because the picture game produced no temper difference between male victors and also-rans. A temper difference was produced between female victors and also-rans, but the female showed no specific response to the competition. These consequences show that the result of the competition on testosterone specific to work forces. ( 7. Hawkynss, Fredman ) From research lab consequences and athletic surveies, the testosterone degree rises in work forces expecting a competition, irrespective of the eventual result competition. Generalizing to the street, endocrine degrees should be elevated in immature work forces who are invariably ag ainst assaults on their reputes. Of class, testosterone degree is besides affected by the result of the competition, so relentless also-rans might be hormonally down, but most work forces, those with assorted result or better, should hold elevated testosterone degree. ( 3. Diamond ) Leaving behind the historic roots of the South, there may be a general hypersensitivity to diss in any subculture that is, or one time was organized around immature work forces who are invariably constrained by traditional community agents of societal control, as after occurs in frontier states, packs, among Gypsies, and after societal dislocation or natural diseases. When immature work forces place particular accent on protecting their images and reputes, and they are non restrained from making so, laterality competitions become necessary, the trademark of male to male interaction. ( 5. Toch ) To construe racial differences in testosterone, a comparing of black and white male childs ages 6 to 18 old age s, largely preteens, showed no important race different in testosterone. By maturity, black males do hold significantly higher testosterone degrees than white males, perchance reflecting the higher defensive demands on black work forces during maturity. ( 10. Hauser, Powers, Noam ) The mutual linkage between endocrines and behavior suggests that if testosterone degrees among immature work forces in the interior metropolis are highlighted by their changeless defensive position against challenge and these high endocrine degrees in bend encourage farther laterality competitions. Feedback between challenge and testosterone may make a assorted circle, sometimes with deadly effects. ( 7. Hawkynss, Fredman ) During pubescence, the effects of testosterone on behavior appear to work chiefly through long term reorganisations of the organic structure and neurohormanal system, and merely secondary through short term activation. By the terminal of pubescence, normally around 16 old ages, the org anic structure is about at it’s grownup signifier so behavior is affected chiefly by the degree of testosterone circulating in the blood watercourse, which can trip steroid receptors. ( 10. Hauser, Powers, Noam ) There is a string correlativity and experimental grounds that testosterone degrees respond in predictable ways both before and after competitions for position. First, testosterone rises shortly before a competitory event, as if expecting the challenge. Second, after the decision of competition, testosterone degrees in victors rises relative to that of also-rans. Testosterone besides rises after position ratings, and it falls after position demotions, These effects require the presence of appropriate temper alterations. Limited grounds suggests that this form of testosterone responses is specific to work forces. ( 4. Stepansky ) As these surveies have suggested, aggression in athletics is at that place, but the work forces chiefly showcase it. Aggressive people are at tracted to reach violent athletics competitions, to where they can suit in while being violent. On the other manus, athleticss can make aggressive behaviours that could take to worse things. Womans can and will showcase this, but as said before, work forces show a stronger instance of it. Thingss of this nature have been traveling on for centuries, every since the beginning of athletics, unluckily, if these behaviours aren’t controlled, the immature kids might be the 1s to endure by an result that cipher wants to see, making off with athleticss in general. 1977 5. Violent Men ; an enquiry into the pychology of force, Hans Toch 1969 6. Human Aggression, Anthony Storr 19681. Aggression and Violence, societal interactionists positions. , Richard B. Felson and James T. Tedeschi 1993 2. Sport in Society, Issues and Controversies 6th edition, Jay J. Coakley 1998 3. Anger, Madness, and the Daimaonic ; the pyschologists generation of Violence, immorality and creativitiy. Stephen A. D iamond 1996 4. A History of Aggression Freud, Paul E. Stepansky 7. The Creation of Deviance, Interpersonal and organized determiners, Richard Hawkins, Gary Fredman, 1975 8. Power and Innocence, Rollo May 1972 9. Man and Aggression, Ashley Montague 1968 10. Adolescents and their Families, Paths of Ego Development, Stuart T. Hauser, Sally I. Powers, Gil G. Noam 1991 Plants Cited 1. Aggression and Violence, societal interactionists positions. , Richard B. Felson and James T. Tedeschi 1993 2. Sport in Society, Issues and Controversies 6th edition, Jay J. Coakley 1998 3. Anger, Madness, and the Daimaonic ; the pyschologists generation of Violence, immorality and creativitiy. Stephen A. Diamond 1996 4. A History of Aggression Freud, Paul E. Stepansky 1977 5. Violent Men ; an enquiry into the pychology of force, Hans Toch 1969 6. Human Aggression, Anthony Storr 1968 7. The Creation of Deviance, Interpersonal and organized determiners, Richard Hawkins, Gary Fredman, 1975 8. Power and Innocence, Rollo May 1972 9. Man and Aggression, Ashley Montague 1968 10. Adolescents and their Families, Paths of Ego Development, Stuart T. Hauser, Sally I. Powers, Gil G. Noam 1991

Coal Pollution Invades Water, Air and Land Essay Example

Coal Pollution Invades Water, Air and Land Paper Coal Pollution Invades the Water, Air, and Soil Amy Crowder Due to the lack of effort to clean the environment of coal mine pollutants, we the society continue to endure the effects of waste. Water, land, and air are the types of pollution we have to deal with each and every day of our lives. Water pollution affects rivers, lakes, and streams. It produces acid-mine drainage, consisting of iron, manganese, and aluminum. Every facet, involving water is effected by acid-pollution in the mines. Coal mining is a negative environmental factor in mountain top removal and strip-mining. Due to the act that our air is so full of pollutants from mining, we attribute many diseases to this problem. A majority Of the streams in southern West Virginia have had acid run off from the coal mines. Once the coal seams open and oxygen is introduced, the process of acid-mine drainage begins (Acid Mine Drainage). The acid runoff is composed of various metals, but primarily iron, manganese, and aluminum. Water is a necessity of life. More than fifty percent of our body is composed of water. Therefore, water pollution is a critical factor in our lives. In the early asses, coal miners didnt care about the elution they were causing and what effects it had on humans and the environment. It was not until 1977 that laws were enacted forcing the clean up (Acid Mine Drainage. ) After many years of the water pollution problems, we are now faced with having to find solutions. A major environmental factor that is destroying the beautiful mountains of West Virginia is mountain top removal. The process of mountain mining begins by digging the rock and soil from the mountains (Mountaintop Mining and Valley Fills). Coal seams are then uncovered and oxygen replaces the soil and rock. The volume of rock ND soil increase due to the swelling of rock and soil, referred to as overburden. Because the overburden cannot be replaced, it is placed in a valley fill. Approximately four hundred sixty-seven miles of streams were buried in the valley fills (Joyce). Open-pit mining destroys our land by digging out rocks and minerals. The purpose of open-pit mines is to dig out low-sulfur coal (Iron and Steel). When the overburden is too thin, these types of mines are used. We will write a custom essay sample on Coal Pollution Invades Water, Air and Land specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Coal Pollution Invades Water, Air and Land specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Coal Pollution Invades Water, Air and Land specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Open-pit mines are extended until there arent any more minerals to dig out. The largest one extended several kilometers long and five hundred feet deep. After iron ore has been removed, waste rock is left behind. It consists of acid-generating sulfides, and heavy metals, which is stored above ground in draining piles. Underground mining is when coal miners dig tunnels to reach large deposits of coal (Iron and Steel). The miners remove the coal by digging a shaft (hole) into the rock next to the deposit of coal. They drill tunnels horizontally into the coal at different ground levels. The coal is lifted to the surface in buckets by railroad transportation or conveyor belts. Underground mining is more expensive and dangerous than open-pit mining. This method of mining effects our environment. The shafts, when not filled in, become sinkholes. Mines then become producers of acid mine waste. The shafts become sources for environmental waste. Air pollution is something we breathe every day. One of the most common pollutants is coal dust. It is very unsanitary because the coal dust is dirty and consists of sulfur and iron and aluminum particles, as well as other elements (Chapter Twelve: Burdens of Coal). Coal miners dig out rocks that have high contents of organic material. Organic compounds from the coal react with oxygen in the air causing the quality of air to decrease. Coal contains natural gas, mostly methane, which leaks out of the mine into the air once the coal has been mined. Methane is the most dangerous natural gas. It is lighter than air and rises to the top of a mine. When a mine has been inactive for quite sometime, methane builds up in the shaft making it very hazardous. If a miner entered the mine with a lantern and came in contact with methane, it could kill him and cause an explosion in the mine. The deeper the mines, the more the methane. It would ignite from sparks of mining tools. Miners used a method to test the mines for what type of gases were present. They took a small animal or bird in the mine with them. If the animal died, they knew the gas level was high. Twenty states, comprised of two hundred twenty four counties, with Kananga County being one of them, failed to follow the federal air standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (Ward). One-half of all West Virginians live where air is polluted by small particles from coal mines. Air pollution can lead to long or short-term illnesses due to the many pollutants in the air. Coal dust is very harmful to the lungs. Many years of exposure to dust has caused respiratory problems (Chapter Twelve: The Burdens of Coal). More dust was accumulated when machinery was used in the mines, and the coal miners breathe in twice as much as they did previously. The number one illness was black lung. Many miners were affected by this. Black 2 lung begins with inhalation of coal dust particles, which causes an inflammation in the upper part of the lungs (Joyce). Then, it forms fibrous scars, causing the lungs to stiffen and decrease lung function. The only way to establish black lung is by a chest x-ray. Other than a transplant, there is no cure. Miners who are disabled by black lung receive payments by American Coal companies. In 1985, they paid the coal miners one billion dollars (Chapter Twelve: The Burdens of Coal). The Coal Act established safety standards for coal mines (Joyce). They provide free chest x-rays for coal miners and compensation funds for the ones disabled by black lung. Thousands of miners die from explosions, roof collapses, gases, and black lung (Joyce). The mortality rate from lung diseases is sixty percent. Dust from any mineral can cause lung disease. Some of the minerals found in mines are aluminum oxide, cadmium oxide, graphite, and mica. In 1991, 150,000 coal miners were exposed to coal mine dust (Joyce). A new health issue that has been approached by coal miners is hearing loss. Thousands of hearing loss cases were reported before it had any affect on the reduction of the noise levels in the mines (Joyce). Eighty percent of coal miners have a twenty-five decibel hearing loss by age sixty. Injury rates are higher in smaller mines. Coal miners who have to crawl on their knees have a greater chance of back injuries and carpal tunnel (Joyce). The Division of Air Quality (DADS) has regulations that protect the public health and prevent environmental degradation caused by air pollution (Citizens Guide: Office of Environmental Advocate 5). It is guided by Federal Clean Air Act; WV code, Chapter 22, Articles 5 and 18; rules 45 CARS series 1-38. The Federal Clean Air Act established National Ambient Air Quality standards for particulate matter sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead. Title V operating permits ensure sources of air pollution follow requirements of Clean Air Act (Citizens Guide: Office of Environmental Advocate 6). The Division of Mining and Reclamation oversees mining activities. This division is guided by various WV codes and rules (Citizens Guide: Office of Environmental Advocate 7). A coal mining permit ensures the preservation ND integrity of land and water resources that will be disturbed by mining operations. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System is to ensure the integrity of rivers and streams from coal and non-coal mining operations. Groundwater protection plan ensures the integrity of groundwater when it is disturbed by coal mines (Citizen 3 Guide: Office of Environmental Advocate 8). The Office of Explosives and Blasting regulates blasting activities involved with surface coal mining. They monitor inspections and investigations. The Office of Oil and Gas regulates drilling of oil and gas by overseeing industry through inspection.

Tourism and Leisure for Youth Target Market

Case Study Research of SHRM (workforce planning) of Ramsay Health Care

Case Study Research of SHRM (workforce planning) of Ramsay Health Care Background information on the problem The problem of ageing workforce is becoming a critical issue of management in Australia. Most organizations in Australia are getting overwhelmed by the issue of a rise in the number of ageing employees. Approximately a third of Ramsay Health Care employees are over 50 years.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Case Study Research of SHRM (workforce planning) of Ramsay Health Care specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This denotes the likelihood of the hospital having a relatively higher percentage of aged employees in a span of ten years. However, the organization has been at par with a range of activities that are meant to ensure that the employees who are over 50 years of age remain active and deliver for the organization. In August 2011, there was the introduction of a program known as Fifty Plus. The program entails an array of activities through partnership with other organizations. The program discharges a series of activities that make the employees who are over 50 to remain active and productive. Over 400,000 Ramsay employees who are at least 50 years of age have already enrolled for the program (Ramsay Health care 2012). Company Analysis Ramsay Health Care is a widely recognized organization in the capital of Australia. The organization began its operations in 1964. The organization has widely grown to become the biggest listed market hospital corporation in Australia. The fact that the company has operated for a long period of time gives it a market advantage over the other newly established health centres. The company operates under a decentralized structure, which enhances the rate at which decisions are reached and implemented. Ramsay, who is the owner of the organization, allows decisions to be made collectively (â€Å"Ramsay Health Care Main Page (1963-2005)† n.d.). The company is still listed as a private company. This emanates from the late 1 990s development, which resulted in the re-acquisition of the organization by Ramsay as a way of saving it from collapsing. This prevents it to be listed on the stock market and gain from the sale of securities. While the company has a resounding record of employee retention, its policy of recruiting employees who are over 50 years is worrying (â€Å"Ramsay Health Care Main Page (1963-2005)† n.d.). Figure 1.0 in the appendix reveals the rate of absenteeism in the organization.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Issue of company workforce planning According to Boxall and Purcell (2011), workforce planning is a critical element in strategic human resource management, which is meant to ensure that a company implements a set of human resource functions that ensure delivery and sustainability of the workforce in the organization. Ramsay Health Care has been proactiv e in terms of deploying human resource strategies, which has enabled the company to attain the level of success that it celebrates today. However, there seems to be a smouldering problem in the organization concerning recruitment of employees in the company. While Ramsay Health Care has not attained any problems of employee turnover and retention, the organization is bound to face problems of delivery in the future due to the steps that have been taken to maintain employees who are 50 years and over. There is bound to be a problem of an ageing workforce in the company as a substantial number of employees in the company grow older and attain the retirement age, yet there is no group of employees to replace them. While the human resource practices in the organization denote the emphasis on a human resource program that is supposed to ensure that the ageing employees remain productive, one thing that is often forgotten is that there is need to develop a balanced workforce to ensure tha t the organization does not have a problem of generational differences in its workforce when more than a third of its employees who are over 50 years of age retire (Ramsay Health Care, 2012). Moseley and Dessinger (2007) observed that modern human resource managers are charged with the task of sustaining a workforce through the establishment of an environment that allows for the transition of skills from a given set of employees to the other. This helps in bridging the generational gaps in the organization and enhancing the rate of compatibility in the organizational workforce. As a way of motivating all the employees, including the employees who are under fifty years, it is important to establish programs that steer employee performance. However, this is a complex exercise and may result in increase in the cost of managing the employees. Recommendations There is need for Ramsay Health Care to engage in the incorporation of younger employees in its workforce to avoid the existence o f a transitional gap when the ageing employees leave the organization.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Case Study Research of SHRM (workforce planning) of Ramsay Health Care specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More When embracing employee performance programs, the human resource team in the organization should consider the employees from the entire organization instead of focusing on a certain generation of employees. This may draw negative feelings and reactions from the other employees. Strategy Strategic human resource management entails a complex set of human resource functions that are meant to steer the performance of the employees and the performance of the organization. In strategic human resource management, the organization develops and deploys several strategies with the aim of improving the discharge of functions by the organizational staffs and the improvement of organizational outcomes. Each strategy is measur ed and linked to a specific goal or expected outcome. The pros and cons of the strategy must be explored in order to ascertain the worth or the level at which the strategy can sustain performance outcomes in the organization (Ehnert 2009). For instance, the strategy of maintaining employees who are over forty years by Ramsay Health Care is considered to be a strategic practice by the organization. However, the analysis of this strategy has revealed a number of weaknesses that are bound to emanate from the continued enforcement of the strategy. This implies that human resource strategies are not static. They can be altered, especially in times when they are seen to have the potential of bringing about maximum payoff to the organization. When weaknesses are detected, strategies have to be revised in order to capture the concerns that are raised to ensure sustained performance of an organization (Wu Zhao 2012). As observed earlier, strategic human resource management is a complex exer cise. It, therefore, requires an inner look into the programs of an organization to be able to develop recommendations that can help the organization restructure its practices in order to attain desirable results. The validity and worth of the analysis of strategic human resource practices in an organization is determined by the nature of recommendations and the level at which the recommendations can help in solving the weaknesses in the strategies of an organization (Ehnert 2009). The recommendations made in the case are as a result of a limited analysis of the strategic human resource management in Ramsay Health Care and the development of recommendations to aid in improving the human resource practices in the organization. The recommendations made in this case are based on the main problem of human resource planning that is facing Ramsay Health Care.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The first recommendation is based on the potential dangers of the prevailing strategies of the organization; employing and retaining employees who are over fifty years. The second recommendation is guided by research about human resource planning and the potential impacts of the strategies that are used in the organization to enhance human resource planning. Reference List Boxall, P Purcell, J 2011, Strategy and human resource management, 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke. Ehnert, I 2009, Sustainable human resource management: A conceptual and exploratory analysis from a paradox perspective, Physica-Verlag, Heidelberg. Moseley, JL Dessinger, JC 2007, Training older workers and learners: Maximizing the workplace performance of an aging workforce, Pfeiffer, San Francisco, CA. Ramsay Health Care Main Page (1963-2005), n.d. Web. Ramsay Health Care, 2012, Human resource indicators. Web. Wu, C Zhao, S 2012, Organizational learning and the complexity of strategic human resource m anagement, Kybernetes, vol. 41, no. 9, pp. 1297-1304. Appendix Figure 1.0 Source: Ramsay Health Care, 2012.

Ethics and Environmental Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethics and Environmental Economy - Essay Example In a world where the poor are drastically more in number then the rich and where the force of the economy are more powerful than the investment by the rich to ease create viable and sufficient income for the poor is perhaps more important than redistribution of earnings. In a world entwined in multiple predicaments simultaneously, active commitment to solving the problems is conceivably more serious than charitable sharing. And in a world where some people are particularly wealthy while others are besieged, measures to improve the standard of living of the well-off are positively of lower precedence than measures to advance the welfare of the less well off. In the past it was understood that firms could keenly follow the private good because governments would look after the public welfare. But the change in the balance of corporate and government power, with more and more control in the hands of a few corporate giants, based on the globalization of the economy, means that governments are less keen and able to guarantee suitable outcomes and the old distribution of labor will no longer work. Firms are now so powerful collectively that the private interest is expected to prevail over the public good. In recent years, environmental performance and economic performance of the firms has drawn significant importance in the literature of business ethics and environmental economy. Some researchers have looked at the obligations of a firm to meet the goal of its shareholders, (Clarkson 115). These reports definitely have some historic implications for corporate, ecological and social activities (Epstein, 74). On the other hand other researchers have established that the economic objectives of a firm do not clash with the environmental objectives for instance Russo and Fouts (534) concluded that environmental consciousness and economic performance are completely connected in the US, with environmentally aware portfolios, attaining better returns balance That is, firms' ecological consciousness may, in fact, be definitely associated with economic functioning as environmentally oriented firm introduce its reputation among customers that are aware about environmental issues. For instance, research through the resource based theory shows that positive reputation produced economic rents for a firm. It is, however, a reality that the economic goals of a firm-like profit maximization, may be in variance with those stakeholders and environment, above all in the short-run. A firm may consider the fixed cost acquired on waste removal, remediation, and sanitization as damaging to its productivity in the short run. Consequently, the short-term income maximization purpose of a firm may collide with what the society wants: a secure and fresh environment, and may generate a motivation for it to act in ways which are not environmentally ethical, depending on how information is spread among shareholders. The misinformation between a firm and the society may occur because a firm usually knows more about the ecological influence of its goods, method and the waste it discharges into the environment than the community. For this reason, a firm's unethical behavior yield fee in the short run and firm avoids the costs of waste removal, relocation and environmental cleaning. Even self-interest among the management can invade their individual ethics and result in augmented unethical behavior