Termites: Helping Our Ecosystems Essay

The results of this experiment support the idea that termites are drawn to follow the pheromones released from the ink in ballpoint pens rather than paths drawn with other writing utensils. The data collected shows that the majority of the termites spent a majority of the timed sixty seconds tracing the outline of the pen as opposed to the outline of the Sharpie marker. The ink

Biomes are appropriate conditions for organizing the natural world because the organisms that live in them common constellations of adaptations, particularly the climate of each of the areas and the characteristic vegetation types that develops in these divisions. It should be understood that the climate is perhaps the most important in determining classes of individuals who may live in an area and the ways they should be amended to live under different conditions of temperature and precipitation and seasonal distribution of these factors element. Every place on Earth has its own climate, influenced by both macroclimate regions as the particular microclimate. The soils are very important because they are essential to determine the types of plants that will grow into a bioclimatic zone in partical, in addition, also as substrates for animals serve. In turn, the soils are heavily influenced by regional climate, as well as the geology of the bedrock. At the same time we have to keep in mind the diversity of plants like the flora just like the diversity of the fauna as well as the adaptation of both.

This experiment was constructed to determine which type of writing utensil the termites were most attracted to and why. The experiment was performed by placing two separate circles (one red papermate and one lead pencil) on a piece of paper to see what line is favored by the termite. The termite was placed on the lead pencil path first, and then on the red papermate pen path to count how many seconds the termite remained on or followed the pathway. The termite stayed on the red papermate line for a much more significant time than on the lead pencil line. “The presence of insect pheromones that chemically control the behavior of highly specialized social insect

However, modern buildings are also at risk. Termites feed on wood, so any structure with wood siding, wood studs in the walls, wood floor joists or any other component that attracts termites can fall victim to an infestation. Unfortunately, termite infestations can go undiscovered for many years, and by the time that termites are identified, they may have caused thousands of dollars in damage. Whether you own a residential or commercial property, you will need expert, effective treatment to eliminate termites and prevent additional damage.

These are soils consisting predominantly of unaltered mineral material that have no surface/sub-surface horizon attributed to soil forming processes (unless buried under a 730cm thick deposit from the Holocene) (Avery, 1980;). These soils do not normally have continuous vegetation cover (Avery, 1980). They occur in very recently formed soil and may have a superficial organic or organo-mineral layer less than 5cm thick. Sometimes they have a buried horizon below 30cm of depth. (Thompson, 2007; Jarvis, 1984).

Soil organisms provide ecosystem services such as maintaining soil fertility and preventing soil erosion. Water, wind, ice, and other agents cause soil erosion, the wearing away or removal of soil from the land. Soil erosion reduces fertility because essential minerals and organic matter are removed. Erosion causes sediments and pesticide and fertilizer residues to pollute nearby waterways ( Wiley, 2009).

Much of the diversity of Putney’s soils can be attributed to the movements of the Laurentide ice sheet that, 20,000 years ago, covered the region in several thousand feet of ice. As the glaciers proceeded south, they reconfigured the land’s surface layer by scraping away the existing soil. As the world’s climate warmed, the ice retreated, redepositing glacial till across the landscape. Topography played an integral role in the distribution of soil following glaciation. In the hills, this unsorted till, a collection of boulders, cobbles, gravel, sands, silt, and clay, began the slow process of pedogenisis (soil formation) as plants and animals brought life to this barren world. In the valleys, material was sorted by the water from the melting ice as it flowed down from the hills (Stewart 55). Below, in figure 1, the areas of unsorted till are represented in orange while areas of sorted sediment such as gravel, sand, outwashes,

The types of soils found in the state of Texas vary over a wide range. Research done by the Natural Resources Conservation service indicated that there are approximately over 1300 different types of soils that can be located in the State of Texas. All of these soil types each play a different role in how it affects the foundation of structures. However, this wide range of soil types, has been shrunk down to fit into nine groups of Taxonomy to help make it easier for identification and research (Vepraskas et al., 26). In this essay, I shall discuss the different types of soils that can be located in Texas according to their respective taxonomic group.

compresses under its own weight due to the loss the force of buoyancy. During primary subsidence, the volume of the organic component decreases, but the mass of the organics remains the same. Secondary subsidence is caused by a combination of oxidation and shrinkage. The mass and volume of the organics decreases during secondary subsidence (Ewing and Vepraskas, 2006, p. 121-122). Being able to differentiate between the two different kinds of subsidence in marshes allows for more precise methods of measurement by scientists. Primary subsidence happens before secondary subsidence, and secondary subsidence typically only occurs in the upper portion of the soil stratum, the part exposed to air. Primary subsidence reduces the volume of the soil, while the mass of the sample stays the same. Meanwhile secondary subsidence reduces the volume of the soil and reduces the mass of the soil.

Soil turnover - as soil is moved around by digging animals, organic matter is mixed through which distributes nutrients throughout the soil

They play a key role in regenerating and displacing soil. Earthworm activities changes both physical and chemical characteristic of soil. They help convert organic matter to humus. Additionally, they ingest other particles (sand grains) and when it is digested and excreted, it is accessible for plants to take advantage of its minerals and nutrients. Physically, the earthworm creates tunnels for air and water to navigate the soil. () They play an essential role in fighting erosion and are vital to plant growth. Healthy soil is depended on a thriving worm population. The ability to break down organic matter and excrete nutrients makes the earthworm valuable to restoration projects. Some people have employed earthworms to prepare soil for the return of native flora. Individuals that utilized this idea have seen better results in the return of their soil ecosystem than previously used methods. The number of

On the one hand, there is the effect of water content in the soil: due to its ability to store

This paper was very useful in that it tested the limits of which plants could grow in serpentine soils. It also included the ecological advances that this type of soil causes such as adaptations and speciation of plants. In this journal Branco used a variety of methods to test the different effects a serpentine soil would have on Oak trees. She also tested the growth of fungi on serpentine and non-serpentine soil. Her results showed that on non-serpentine soil fungi

Erosion removes the surface soils, containing most of the organic matter, plant nutrients, and fine soil particles, which help to retain water and nutrients in the root zone where they are available to plants. Thus it affects the productivity of plants. The remaining, the subsoil, tends to be less fertile, less absorbent and less able to retain pesticides, fertilizers, and other plant nutrients. There are over 17,000 soil types recognized worldwide. They vary widely in structure, erodibility, fertility, and ability to produce crops. A generalized soil profile for a humid, temperate climate is showed. When the natural vegetation is cleared for agriculture, soils become exposed to erosion and loss of soil fertility. The removal of the above-ground natural

Significantly, desertification also cause soil erosion, which means soil surface is worn by wind and water. Desertification makes soil easy to erode by water or wind, as soil is exposed and soil structure is instable without forest. LaI R(2003) says that ““Land area globally affected by erosion is 1094 million ha (Mha) by water erosion, of which 751 Mha is severely affected, and 549 Mha by wind erosion, of which 296 Mha is severely affected.” To control soil erosion, an obvious way is virescence, enlarging forest cover, which can protect the soil far from exposing to strong wind. Also, the roots of plants under ground play a role as a framework, as they are obstructions to soil movement,