Understanding Communities and Ecosystems

Biologists have a system for not only distinguishing the animals, plants, and environments (habitats, communities) that make up the natural world but also for describing the complex interactions and relationships between them. The classification is hierarchical: Individuals belong to populations, which together form species, which exist within communities, which, in turn, thrive within specific ecosystems. Energy flows from one organism to another through these relationships, and the presence of one population influences the environment of another population. All in the Family A community is defined biologically as a set of interacting populations. It is often used to describe the dominant species within a certain area, say, the community of salamanders that lives along the banks of a mountain stream. A community can also refer to the physical environment in which those salamanders thrive—commonly known as a habitat—in this case, a riparian community. Additional examples would be a desert community, a pond community, or a deciduous forest community. Just as organisms have specific properties that make them unique, such as size, weight, age, sex, and so forth, so, too, do communities. When conducting their studies, biologists and other scientists make note of the following characteristics: Diversity, or the number of species in the community. A community can also be described as being either densely or sparsely populated as a whole.Relative abundance, which refers to the abundance—or lack thereof—of a species within a community with respect to the abundance of all the other species living in that community.Stability, or how much a community changes or remains static over time. These changes can occur because of internal or external factors, or a combination of both. The members of the community can remain stable and thrive in spite of the changes impacting their environment, or they can be ultra-sensitive to even the slightest changes. Community Relations The relationships between populations in a community are varied and may include both positive, negative, and mutually beneficial interactions. Examples of community-level relationships include competition (for food, nesting habitat, or environmental resources), parasitism (organisms that survive by feeding off a host organism), and herbivory (species that depend upon consuming local plant life to survive). These relationships often lead to changes in the genetic makeup of the population. For example, one or another genotype may be more successful due to certain community processes. The System as a Whole An ecosystem can be defined as all the interacting components of the physical and biological world. Thus, an ecosystem can encompass multiple communities. Keep in mind that drawing a line around a community or an ecosystem is not a clear matter either. Communities blend together, and there are gradients throughout nature, from one habitat to another—for instance, the oases that exist within desert environments, or the forests that line ocean shorelines in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Scandinavia. We can at best use the concepts of communities and ecosystems to organize our study and understanding of the natural world, but we are far from being able to assign exact boundaries to these concepts.

Digital Era And Its Effect On The Physical And Social...

The following authors Sassen, Harvey, Meyrowitz, Mueller, and Starosielski share a common belief that the digital era is experiencing significant changes, whether it is in regard to time and space, or social and material infrastructure. In contemporary society, humans do not have to be as place-dependent, which frees time and space from normal constraints. As a result, this shift in location has an effect on the physical and social environment. Sassen is the author that resonates with me the most due to her view regarding the function of cities in a digital economy. In Agglomeration in the Digital Era, Sassen recognizes the steady process of agglomeration and the role of cities. While digitalization is presumed to transcend space, there continues to be resources in cities that are not easily replicated, such as infrastructure, skills, and support services, along with intangible resources like social and cultural interactions. Sassen also mentions the denationalization of corporate elites. Corporations that have existed under private regulation are now frequently operating as global companies, rather than local. Companies are situating themselves in cities that are the most advantageous, regardless of location, and then using digital technology to further establish themselves. In Time and Space in the Postmodern Cinema, Harvey describes his reaction to what cities will look like in a digital economy. Harvey examines how postmodernism is inseparable from technologicalShow MoreRelatedCommination Between Individuals Includes The Actual Spoken973 Words   |  4 Pagesprimary functions of language is to express imagination and creativity. This function is essential to our ability to image endless possibilities and create the things around us. 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But, in the modern world there seems to be a shift from using technology for survival to using technology as a platform for the development of new methods of communication and entertainment. People are looking for more ways to be entertained, thinking less and playing more. The digital world lets usRead MoreThe Impact Of Technology On The Performing Arts2832 Words   |  12 Pagesanalysis of the opportunities available to creative musician in two distinct eras, pre-1999 and the present day. The essay will examine the impact of technology upon the music industry as a main theme, and will analyse how these changes have affected the careers and available income streams of working musicians. There will be three main sections within the essay which will examine key aspects of the differences of these eras, which are technology and music, revenue streams and live music. 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How Beneficial an Online Education Can Be for You Free Essays

An online education is a wonderful opportunity. You have the flexibility of taking a course on your own time. The flexibility of an online education allows you to be able to attend classes no matter your work schedule, or home schedule. We will write a custom essay sample on How Beneficial an Online Education Can Be for You or any similar topic only for you Order Now Anywhere you have access to the Internet you can take classes. With recent computer mobility in the form of netbooks and the iPad, the opportunity to receive an education is endless. Learning online enables you to become Internet and computer savvy, two skills that are necessity in the ever-changing world of technology. You have access to course material round the clock. In a virtual classroom setting, you are able to go over lectures, lessons and other dicussions multiple times. You can learn at your own pace and do not have to worry about missing a class because of illness or other personal reasons. Participating in an online lesson discussion is not as daunting as in a regular classroom setting. Students remain pretty much anonymous are not judged by age, race or gender. Many people feel intimidated to participate in a regular classroom for fear of being judged or not having time to catch up to what is being taught. On the Internet, students have a chance to give thought to a question before answering and submitting their comments. The virtual classroom makes it easier for students to approach their instructor. They feel it is easier to speak with their instructor through online chats and email; this form of communication boosts student and instructor interaction. Everybody wins in this type of environment. Students that need flexibility because they have to work or have to care for children or other members of their family, the opportunity to earn a degree virtually is invaluable. With all the benefits of an online education, it is no wonder there is an ever-increasing number of students are turning towards an education online. How to cite How Beneficial an Online Education Can Be for You, Papers

Financial Mismanagement

Question: Case study on financial mismanagement. Answer: Introduction Financial mismanagement is the deliberately handling careless, or inefficient and reflection negatively of the financial standing of an organization or an individual. The mismanagement of the finances can be carried in various ways example; wrong distribution of the responsibility, dismissal of the payments, neglecting of the bills and the taxes responsibility, the problems associated with the financial and the economic standings. (Ang, 1991)By looking at the various financial management cases it will help to comprehend the effect that are associated at the mismanagement and how it can have a crucial to the business. In this article it will provide a detailed analysis of how to effectively manage on the business finances, more so on the retirement plan and the stock. The article further evaluates on the alternative solution to the problem and also provide a comparisons between the alternative solutions considering their strengths and weaknesses. The article has also provided some of the recommendations that need to be considered to overcome the challenges that are posed by poor management of finances in the business. Problem Identification The financial mismanagement is essential a problem that is faced by many organization, worldwide. (Ang, 1991)In the case of the mini case of the Canadian Air, they have a pension plan for the company in which the employees can opt one among the options provided. There are many financial problems that can arise if this plan, is not managed well, more so in the case where there is embezzlement of their funds that are kept in the mutual funds for the retirement purposes. If not well managed can led to the closure or legal issues to the organizations. It is imperative for the organization to manage their finances effectively in accordance to the set plans and policies in that business. A large profit for the organization is good where there is a good financial statement, where the revenues are greater than the expenses. There is need to highlight various strategies for the business that are not capitalized to ensure that the finances are well managed and they are used in regards to the b usiness needs effectively. Alternative solution A company may face the challenge of stretching their financial plans in meeting their expectations in the business. It is important to manage the customized portfolios of the alternative investments for the clients and the retirement plan for the employees. Brigham Houston, 2011) each of their portfolios can be tailored to the clients objectives and the constraint. An organization that is objective will adopt strategies to ensure that the finances are appropriately managed and used. In this article it will provide the alternative solutions that the finances of the organization are efficiently used in accordance to the budget of the organization. In below are some of the alternative that an organization may adopt to make sure the finances are managed effectively. Tracking on the expenses. It is important not to limit yourself, to get an idea of what is to be or was spent on the business. Moreover, making notes on all the receipts, versus the expenses that have been incurred. The next issue is to collect and the analysis of the data. The organization needs to collect and analyze their data to know their finances and prioritize on the important aspects. This will ensure that any single project finances like pension plan finances are used accordingly and no resource is miss managed. It is also important for the organization to provide the managers with the data they require to be able to manage the finances of the company. In this way it will ensure that there is accountability for the finances that will be mismanaged. In addition, there is issue of the task shifting is an activity that may result to the mismanagement of the funds and the lack of the accountability. This will ensure that the productivity and the satisfaction is maintained within all the activities of the organization. Financial leverage. On this component the finance manager fixes on the need of the financing. Over and low financial are harmful for the company. There is need for an optimal financial plan to effectively guide on the business needs. Moreover, there is need for selecting the best financial sources for the business. The finance manager analyzes on the different sources of the financing. They clear check the rates, the repayment terms and other conditions that are the best option. Comparison between the alternative solutions The mentioned alternative solution works very effectively. If they are closely monitored and implemented, they would work greatly for the organization and they will help to manage the finances in the organization. (Van Horne James, 2002)There is need for a collection of the performance by all in the business to ensure that each individual component would work effectively. In this way it will ensure that any component in the financial management is identified before it develop to a major problem. The finance manager, if it is in the investment should clearly know the following; the interest of the plan, the period of that particular investment and the compounded formula for the investment. In the compound investment FV=PV (1+r/100) n where we have FV for the future value, PV is the present value, this can be used for return on an investment. (Vaivio, 1999)In addition, on the other hand the provision of the data is one of the best methods to ensuring that the finances within the organi zation are managed. This method reduces the information ignorance of the financial managers ensuring they are accessing the information effectively. Information is vital and remain a key component to managing an organization. This method provide a frequent update of any information that is required by the finance manager in the management of their data in the organization. Recommendations In any organization that is doing well, there is need to have alternative methods that addresses particular problems that affects the organization on the financial management. The concept, of the financial leverage and the financial sources analysis. These methods are effective, since if the financial managers are provided with the appropriate information helps them to manage the data relating to the finances. It is significant since it ensures that the data is valid, thus the data managed for finance is correct and up to date. References Ang, J. S. (1991). Small business uniqueness and the theory of financial management. The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, 1(1), 1. Brigham, E., Houston, J. (2011). Fundamentals of financial management. Cengage Learning. Van Horne James, C. (2002). Financial Management Policy, 12/E. Pearson Education India. Vaivio, J. (1999). Exploring anon-financial'management accounting change. Management Accounting Research, 10(4), 409-437.