Quarter 2, Article 10

1. Plastic-Lined Nests Keep Rivals at Bay

2.

Chapter 11: Sustaining Biodiversity

3. This article deals with a regional issue.

4. In Donana National Park in Spain, a bird species called black kites have been using bits of plastic bags to build their nests.They use the plastic bags almost as a warning sign to others, they are meant to show off their nests. Nests that used the plastic bags had fewer intruders than those without plastic bags. Researchers conducted an experiment to see how the birds would react with a choice of white, green, or transparent shopping bags. The results showed that out of the 33 pairs that picked up some of the bags, 29 of them chose only white shopping bags. The birds preferred something that was white and visible.

5. I think it is good that the birds are adapting to their environment, but I think it is unfortunate that they have to use our pollution and garbage. I think some people will use this as an excuse for littering. People will think that they are helping the birds by polluting. This just shows that birds have adapted to the littering and finding a way to use the garbage to their advantage.

6. overawed- to restrain or subdue by inspiring awe; intimidate.

Quarter 2, Article 9

1. Corals Moving North

2.

Chapter 20: Climate Change

3. This article deals with a regional issue.

4. Coral reefs are extremely important biologically because they are the home to many species. Coral reefs have very high biodiversity. About one in every four marine species live in coral reefs. A recent study of the coral reefs in Japan shows that many of the coral species have migrated over many latitude lines north in the past 80 years. A geographer named Hyroya Yamano has been analyzing maps of coral reefs since the 1930s. His studies have shown that out nine common coral species, four of them had expanded northward and two went as far as went as temperate waters. His studies have also predicted that many more of the coral species will migrate and at a very fast rate in response to the warming waters. Some of the species Yamano was studying migrated as fast as 8.7 miles per year, an average species only migrate .4 miles per year. Too much acidity from high concentrations of carbon dioxide can also weaken coral reefs.

5. This article shows that global warming not only effects terrestrial species but also aquatic environments. A result of the atmosphere heating up, the ocean water also heats up causing changes in the habitats of the aquatic species. It is important that we understand how global warming plays a role all over the world.

6. repository-an abundant source or supply.

Quarter 2, Article 8

1. New hope for rare lemurs in Madagascar

2.

Chapter 11: Sustaining Biodiversity The Species Approach

3. This article deals with a regional issue.

4. Silky Sifaka has been threatened by habitat destruction and has been placed on the endangered species list and is one of the world's 25 most endangered primates. Recent studies have shown that the species has been surviving in Marojejy National Park despite an outbreak of illegal rosewood logging in 2009-2010. A non-profit organization has been established to help protect these primates. SIMPONA has been monitoring the species and been doing what they can to help raise awareness about the species and trying to protect its habitat. Erik Patel who heads the organization has been doing the studies of the Silky Sifaka and has found 31 silky sifaka groups consisting of 131 total individuals in the national park in the past few years.

5. I think it is great that organizations like SIMPONA have been established to help protect these endangered species because it is extremely crucial to our environment to maintain biodiversity and make sure that no species become extinct. It is always good to hear a success story of an endangered species especially when it is one of the world's 25 most endangered species. I also think we should try to stop the illegal logging in places like the Marojejy National Park to ensure that other species will not be threatened by this.

6. Extrapolate- To infer from something that is known.

Quarter 2, Article 7

1. Dust levels in Earth's atmosphere contribute to climate change

2.

Chapter 19: Air Pollution

Chapter 20: Climate Change

3. This article deals with a global issue.

4. The amount of dust in the atmosphere has a direct relationship with the climate. Dust limits the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth. This will increase atmospheric carbon dioxide. It can also influence clouds and precipitation, which leads to major droughts, which leads to desertification and more dust. This is an example of a positive feedback loop. The amount of dust in the atmosphere has nearly doubled in the last century, this has had a very negative effect on the worlds climate. Many studies are being done to determine how the dust will effect the climate. The first study was done to trace the fluctuation pf a natural aerosol around the world over a century. Another study that was done was in the ocean. Because dust plays an important role in the ocean environment. Dust is a major source of iron, which is vital for plankton and other organisms. Scientist are also studying information from ice cores, lake sediment and coral to measure fluctuations in dust. Scientist then link each sample with it's likely source and calculate the rate of deposition over time. Researchers can then construct the influence that desert dust will have on many other things. For example, temperature, precipitation, ocean iron deposition and terrestrial carbon uptake over time.

5. It is good that scientist can determine exactly what impact more dust will have on our environment so that we know what will happen if we don't try to do something about this dust issue. Because it can be a serious problem that can even contribute to global warming. It is important that we do something to lower the amount of dust in the atmosphere. I would have liked if the article stated some of that information in this article, because it would've been very interesting to know.

6. Desertification- the process by which an area becomes a desert.

Quarter 2, Article 6

1. Gulf Oil Spill Surprise: Methane Almost Gone

2.

Chapter 18: Environmental Hazards and Human Health

3. This article deals with a regional issue.

4. The Gulf oil spill was extremely drastic and everyone wondered what would happen in the Gulf. Methane is one of the main components in the oil that was spilled into the Gulf. After only 4 months practically all the methane that was in the five million barrels of oil has been removed by a certain bacteria. However, just because the methane is gone does not mean the oil its self is gone. The oil is still found in the gulf in nearly everywhere in the deep water. Most of the ingredients of the oil haven't completely degraded. This discover of no more methane is very good not only for the Gulf but also the atmosphere. This is because the warming of ocean temperatures are thought to make parts of the ocean's geology less stable. This could trigger a huge release of methane gas into the ocean and potentially the atmosphere, which would contribute to global warming.

5. I think it is great that the methane has mostly completely gone by a natural source rather than us having to do something to remove the methane which could harm other things in the environment. This is also good because methane is a huge contributer to global warming and if we can cut down that amount of methane it can do the atmosphere a ton of good. It would be great if a natural source was able to remove the rest of the gas from the Gulf so it does not do any more damage.

6.geology- the science that deals with the dynamics and physical historyof the earth,

the rocks of which it is composed, and thephysical, chemical, and biological changes

that the earth hasundergone or is undergoing.

Quarter 2, Article 5

1. Reducing Greenhouse Gases the Dismal Way

2.

Chapter 19: Air Pollution

3. This article deals with a global issue.

4. The United States has been cutting down greenhouse emissions like "a green tornado." According to the article, The Energy Department says carbon dioxide emissions in the united states fell 3% in 2008 and 7% in 2009. This has been extremely good for the environment. The government also estimates that the carbon emissions in the United States won’t be as bad as the levels that were in 2005 until 2027, which is 16 years from now. The economy played a big role in the decreases in carbon dioxide levels. When the economy is bad, more people are unemployed, and this means people buy less, and do not commute as much as they would if the economy was good. Generally people do less of all the things that produce greenhouse gases. When energy uses drop, so do carbon emissions in the environment. This effect has not only been shown in the United States but also in Europe. Carbon emissions in Europe dropped 2 percent in 2008 because of the recession.

5. I think this article is good because it shows that the United States can do something to lower their carbon emissions and do good for the environment but it also worries me because I wonder what will happen when the economy gets better and people resume doing things as they would normally.

6. Bumbled- To do clumsily