Ecology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ecology - Essay Example such as inorganic aspects (carbon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water), organic compounds (protein, carbohydrates, lipids), climatic factors (temperature, moisture, light, topography), producers (plants), macro consumers and micro consumers (Unit 3: Ecosystems, 2004, p.56). Ecosystem is maintained by cycling nutrients and energy derived from the external sources. There are three levels in the ecosystem, where the first trophic level consists of the primary producers, that is, some bacteria, algae and plants. The herbivores that feed on the primary source like plants comprise the second trophic level and the third trophic level consists of the predators that consume the herbivores. Furthermore, the ecosystem also consists of another group called decomposers, which include worms, insects, bacteria, fungi, molds etc that â€Å"breakdown† the dead decaying substances, thus returning the nutrients to the soil (Unit 4: Ecosystems, n.d., p. 8). The gross primary productivity (GPP) of an ecosystem is the total amount of organic matter produced through photosynthesis, whereas the net primary productivity (NPP) refers to the energy that is present for plant growth â€Å"subtracting’ the amount that plant uses for respiration (9). In order to conduct detailed analysis of the ecosystem, one must first have a clear idea about ecosystem boundaries. The whole earth can be considered as an ecosystem because all things interact with each on earth. The ecosystem â€Å"distributed† regionally and globally can be identified by the common basic structural form (2 – Ecosystems and Their Services, n.d., p. 51). According to the analysis done by MA (Mill ennium Ecosystem Assessment), â€Å"10 categories† were made, namely, forest, island, dryland, polar, coastal, marine, inland water, mountain, cultivated and urban. These categories on their own cannot be considered as an ecosystem, but each category consists of many ecosystems, and the characteristic feature of all ecosystems are highly

The Hubble Telescope Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Hubble Telescope - Research Paper Example The Hubble telescope was the first space anchored telescope by man. Hubble has proven to be the key to the casket of knowledge pertaining to the skies of the space. It has helped in answering the most fascinating and intriguing queries of the astronomers of the planet Earth. The Hubble has had the privilege of researching out and about almost everything in the Universe known so far, from black holes to other solar systems in which planets revolve around stars similar to our own milky way. Astronomy was given a new meaning ever since Hubble endeavored upon its cruise as a result of which mankind has been steered on a new mission. The present study initiates from an introduction of what the universe is. It proceeds further with the reason behind the development of the Hubble Telescope and ventures into its twenty one year journey so far. THE UNIVERSE The Universe is everything around us. It has unimaginable boundaries that can neither be seen with naked human eye nor can be imagined. P resent studies state that the Universe is ever expanding. Known to be made up of dust particles, numerous metals, gases, stars, clouds, galaxies and life forms, the universe has been the source of inquisitiveness for man ever since ancient times. The planet Earth on which human beings reside is one planet in one of the innumerable solar systems that spread out in the universe. Earth’s sky is filled with small specks of distant celestial objects whether they be stars or anything else. The fact that these specks of light are not just light bulbs in the sky but actually are celestial objects became known to man only after inventions and discoveries in the field of information and communications technology. Prior to them man could think of the Universe only till where his imagination took him. HISTORY The advent of information and communications technology dates back to the days of Galileo. Galileo’s invention of the telescope in the year 1609 was the major breakthrough in looking up distant things. It was the phenomenon of telescope only that bought life into the mere light specks that the Earth’s night sky displayed. There was unanimity in the desire of all the scientists: to see further more and more into the skies. Galileo’s Earth based telescope