Organisms in my Cubic Foot

Lemon Thyme

This plant has long stems with very small dark green leafs. It smells like lemon but tastes very bitter. Its potential height is four inches. Usually lives up to four year unless clumps are separated. Doesn't require a whole lot of sunlight. It has no major prey however, its predators include garden insects attracted by its sweet scented leafs.

Rose Bush

The rose bush has small light and dark green leafs. Its stems are typically thick and filled with water. The rose bush grows thorns which are used to stab any predators that try to pick or eat it. The life span of a rose bush can be up to twenty years if properly maintained.

Grain Moth

The grain moth is a pest in most gardens. They are typically 10-15mm in size. They are light brown with stripes of gold and black on them. They reproduce larva quickly and feed on vegtables. The eggs hatch in 14 says and the moths live up to 41 weeks. The moths main predator is humans who set traps to rid their gardens of moths.

Bumble Bee

There are over 250 species of bumble bees that all appear very similarly. Because my partner and I could not solve which type of bumble bee we had, we chose to write about bumble bees in general. Bumble bees appear fuzzy due to the long hair that covers their entire body. They are beneficial to plants because they transfer pollin. The average life span of a bumble bee is around 20-40 weeks.

Honors Reading Assignment #4

Entry 4: Rhetorical Modes

Background: In Vandana Shiva’s book, Stolen Harvest, argumentation is the main rhetorical mode used to persuade the reader. Although Shiva uses a lot of exposition in her writing, she also clearly states her opinion on the topic. Therefore, most people would consider Stolen Harvest to use an argumentation rhetorical mode.

Quotes: “The time has come to reclaim the stolen harvest and celebrate the growing and giving of good food as the highest gift and most revolutionary act.”

“Women have been particularly affected by the proliferation of the shrimp industry. Land has become a scarce commodity. Fights take place between neighbors over patches of land on which to dry fish. In places where water is provided by tankers, competition for the water becomes yet another cause of social disruption, particularly between women.”

Commentary: The book Stolen Harvest is somewhat disorganized in my opinion. I found that Shiva tends to go off on tangents referring to her personal encounters quite a bit. As depicted in the first quote, Shiva went off on an inspirational tangent as if she wanted to lead a revolution in the midst of writing her book (which she probably did). Although this disorganization can sometimes be annoying to the reader and cause confusion, it can also be very inspiring to some.

Throughout the book, she uses an argumentation rhetorical mode to get the reader on her side. Although she uses little dialogue, for every argument she proposes, she gives certain examples from her personal experiences to sway the reader in her direction. This style works well for Shiva because she does have very legitimate experiences that she can provide the reader with. For every point she makes, she has an experience to show why she supports it. This form of argumentation including evidence is shown in the second quote provided above.

In this quote, Shiva is explaining to readers how not only the environment is affected negatively by larger industries, but also how neighborhoods and the people are affected. This quote depicts how Shiva not only has heard about this, but has experienced it. How else would people know that women in small Indian villages are fighting over something caused by bigger industries? It gives the reader a sense that Shiva knows what she is talking about. This method allows the reader to join Shiva on her side of the argument as if they were seeing what Shiva had seen.

White Background Organism Pictures

Honors Reading Assignment #3

Entry 3: The author’s persona/tone

Background: Shiva is highly educated and when she mixes her concern for the food industry with her educational sounding voice it creates a tone that gets the readers attention.

Quote: “The right of corporations to force-feed citizens of the world with culturally inappropriate and hazardous foods has been made absolute [in the globalizing economy]. The right to food, the right to safety, the right to culture are all being treated as trade barriers that need to be dismantled…we have to reclaim our right to nutrition and food safety. We have to reclaim our right to protect the earth and her diverse species. We have to stop this corporate theft from the poor and from nature. Food democracy…is the new agenda for ecological sustainability and social justice.” p. 109

Commentary: The author’s persona/ tone for this book sound very assertive and sure of what she is saying. Because of Shiva’s high education, she uses an impressive vocabulary to get her point across. Upon reading her book, not once have I doubted that she knows what she is talking about. She has made it clear that she has seen every “revolution” take place right before her own eyes. Shiva is able to manipulate the reader by using a very concerned sounding tone. Because she sounds educated on the topic and concerned, it makes the reader feel a need to be concerned as well. This approach of concern makes the reader feel what Shiva feels. In this way, many people follow Shiva in her attempts to revolutionize the food industry.

The quote above is a good example of how Shiva uses concern mixed with high vocabulary to get her point across. And on top of that, she is assertive in what she is saying. Notice how you most likely trust her expierience after only reading these few sentences.

Agriculture

1. Where is the biggest agricultural farm in the world located?

2. Around what age did formal agriculture begin?

3. What advances are we making in agriculture currently?

4. What is wrong with agriculture in countries where people are starving?

5. How could we improve agriculture to eliminate starvation in those countries?

Honors Reading Assignment #2

Entry 2: Thesis/ Purpose

Background: In Vanadana Shiva’s book, Stolen Harvest, it is made clear that western food production has a negative impact on third world countries.

Quote: “Industrial agriculture has not produced more food. It has destroyed diverse sources of food, and it has stolen food from other species to bring larger quantities of specific commodities to the market using huge quantities of fossil fuels and water and toxic chemicals in the process.” p. 89

Commentary: This negative impact has about about by three major changes in the food production industry: the Green Revolution, the Blue Revolution, and the White Revolution. Shiva tells the reader how the green revolution has robbed third world countries of crops on its land, the blue revolution has robbed third world countries of animals in the sea, and the white revolution has robbed third world countries of its cattle. The purpose of Shiva telling the reader about these three revolutions is to show the negative impacts of large food industry's such as loss of farmers, unnecessarily killing animals, not efficiently using animals, chemical waste, etc. Because most people who partake in purchasing food from industrial food markets don’t realize its negative affects, Shiva attempts to show what goes on behind the scenes of the perfect grocery stores and restaurants. My reaction to her thesis was complete and total shock. As a westerner who is blessed to have almost any food at my fingertips, I realized quickly that the convenience comes at a large expense of others. It is important not only for Westerners to realize and be appreciative for what we have, but it is also important for us to change this system of theft and stop robbing poorer countries of their natural goods.

Honors Reading Assignment #1

Entry 1: The Author's Credibility and Background

Background: Shiva is a very credible author, throughout her book she writes about personal expieriences which give the reader insight into what she sees. She is also highly educated.

Quotes: "Over the past two decades every issue I have been engaged in as an ecological activist and organic intellectual has revealed that what the industrial economy calls "growth" is really a form of theft from nature and people." p. 1

"It is true that cutting down forests or converting natural forests into monocultures of pine and eucalyptus for industrial raw material generates revenues and growth. But this growth is based on robbing." p. 20

Commentary: Vandana Shiva, author of Stolen Harvest is a very credible author. In fact, when I was researching her, I found a picture of her and recognized her in the documentary "Dirt" that we are watching in class (see picture below). What I found out about this remarkable woman is that she has written over 20 books, and 500 leading scientific research papers about environmental science. Not to mention, she has a PhD from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. She is known as a philospoher, eco-feminist, and environmental activist. She currently lives in India and is a board member of the "International Forum of Globalization". She was born from two parents who both shared a love of nature. In the reading I have done, it is clear that Shiva is very passionate about nature and she believe that we are robbing the natural world of its life. These two quotes give a firm example of how Shiva considers industial growth to be "theft" and "robbery".


Because of the research I have done I believe that Shiva has the expierience to write a book about how big industries negatively impact nature. And although I think she has a lot of expierience, I also think she is somewhat bias. This is because like I said before, Shiva was raised by a father who was the conservator of forests and a farmer mother with a love for nature. Therefore, she has most likely been against "food industiral growth" since she was a young child. Her tone throughout the book remains firm in what she believes in. Although she may at times come off to be a bit bias, I think she has the credibility to back up her beliefs.

Vandana Shiva

Response to Questions

1) Because the plants had not been watered, The H2O was not able to be split to make protons and O2. Therefore the NADP+ and ADP could not be reduced. Without this reduction the calvin cycle could not take place and the plants cannot produce food for itself. Therefore the plant is dying.

2) Because the Stomates are closed, the plant is not able to take in CO2 or release O2. This impacts the Calvin Cycle because it cannot release CO2. This also impacts the calvin cycle because it is difficult for the reactions to take place.

Collecting, Saving, and Storing Seeds

When I watched the TED talk, I really didn't think that the problem he introduced was as big as he made it seem. I think that it is important that we try our best not to interfere too much with the natural world. If a species is going to die out, we must let it die out. I think it is a cool idea to try and keep as many seeds and as many species alive as we can, but we must do this by not interferring with the places they grow naturally. I think this video explains it perfectly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eScDfYzMEEw

When the guy in the TED talks also started to talk about the climate changes, I was also not impressed. Our planet has gone through centuries of climate changes including an ice age and still survived. Not to mention, humans have only been involved in heavy industry for 200 years compared to the 4 billion years that the planet has been here. I do not believe that climate changes are a huge threat to the world considering our world has gone through many climate changes in the past. Climate changes are natural and not just because of humans.

Although I did not totally agree with the TED talk, I thought the article abot the "seed vault" was very cool. I think it si a great idea to store seeds just incase we need them for the future. Its not intererring with life, but it is making sure we still have control. I think it will definitely come in handy.

My Garden Plot

For my garden plot, I am requesting approximately 3 x 2 feet.

The things I want to grow in my garden include: Kyona Mizuna, Mini Bunching Onions, and Romaine Lettuce. I want to grow these three specifically because together they could make potato salad.

1. Kyona Mizuna

a. Vegtable.
b. Typically Mizuna groes best in cooler weather and can with stand considerable frost. Because San Diego has a slightly cool weather in the fall Mizuna can be grown relatively well outdoors.
c. The plant takes approximately 5-10 days to germinate and requires no special treatment.
d. The plant sprouts in roughly ten days and harvests in roughly forty days. This is perfect for this semester and fits within the time zone.
e. The plant space will take up about 1'w x 1'h. The plants should be about 1/2'' apart.
f. The Minuza plant needs to be in very moistuized soil. It likes for the soil to be at a pH of 7.
g. The Minuza plant requires a lot of water. It is best to use drip irrigation directly into the soil to keep the soil moist.
h. companion plants include low growing slowers such as sweet assylum.

2. Mini Puplette Bunching Onion

a. Vegtable
b. Typically grown in the summers due to warm dry climate. However considering San Diegos Wdecently warm and definitely dry winters, the onion is able to grow.
c. 7-14 days to germinate. Prefers well drained soil in a warm climate.
d. Takes 60-65 days to harvest. This plant will either sprout at the end of this semester for our class to enjoy, or at the beggining or next semester for the other class to enjoy. Either way it will be enjoyed within the school year.
e. This plant needs at least 2in in diameter. They should be planted 3in apart.
f. This plant prefers to grow in more dry soil that is preferably warm and slightly acidic.
g. It does not require much water compared to other plants. It is best to water plant by drip irrigation system.
h. Chives, Bush Beans, and Beets are all companion plants to mini onions.

1. Romaine Lettuce

a. Vegtable

b. The gowing season is best in the winter but can be grown year round.

c. Germinates in roughly six days.

d. Lettuce can be harvested in 45 days (perfect for this semester).

e. It should be planted roughly 8 in apart.

f. Lettuce is a "heavy feeder" and it needs rich soil to make rich nutrient leafs.

g. Lettuce likes to grow in moist cooler areas in the shade. Preferribly dampened soil by drip irrigation. 

h. Grows well with other heavily watered plants and other lettuces'.

From the websites with tutorials on how to grow the three plants I selected, none looked too difficult. I do not see myself having any issues because there is no prior "seed prepping" that needs to be done. The only challnge I forsee myself having is keeping my plants that prefer dry soil, separated from my plants that prefer moist soil.

One cubic foot: Insects

Bee:

Moth:

One Cubic Foot: Insects

bee

Initial Plant Research

1. Kyona Mizuna

a. Vegtable.
b. Typically Mizuna groes best in cooler weather and can with stand considerable frost. Because San Diego has a slightly cool weather in the fall Mizuna can be grown relatively well outdoors.
c. The plant takes approximately 5-10 days to germinate and requires no special treatment.
d. The plant sprouts in roughly ten days and harvests in roughly forty days. This is perfect for this semester and fits within the time zone.
e. The plant space will take up about 1'w x 1'h. The plants should be about 1/2'' apart.
f. The Minuza plant needs to be in very moistuized soil. It likes for the soil to be at a pH of 7.
g. The Minuza plant requires a lot of water. It is best to use drip irrigation directly into the soil to keep the soil moist.
h. companion plants include low growing slowers such as sweet assylum.

2. Mini Puplette Bunching Onion

a. Vegtable
b. Typically grown in the summers due to warm dry climate. However considering San Diegos Wdecently warm and definitely dry winters, the onion is able to grow.
c. 7-14 days to germinate. Prefers well drained soil in a warm climate.
d. Takes 60-65 days to harvest. This plant will either sprout at the end of this semester for our class to enjoy, or at the beggining or next semester for the other class to enjoy. Either way it will be enjoyed within the school year.
e. This plant needs at least 2in in diameter. They should be planted 3in apart.
f. This plant prefers to grow in more dry soil that is preferably warm and slightly acidic.
g. It does not require much water compared to other plants. It is best to water plant by drip irrigation system.
h. Chives, Bush Beans, and Beets are all companion plants to mini onions.

3. Lemon Gem Marigold

a. Flower
b. Thrives in room temperature soil. This will be perfect for San Diego's unintensive weather.
c. 65-80 days to germinate. It requires the soil to be kept moist until the plant is mature. It is recommended to use mulch to keep soil moist.
d. 80 days to mature. This will be unrealistic for our semester however, once this plant is thriving it could be used in next semesters garden.
e. Plant the seeds 6'' away from one another. It will require at least 6''-9'' to grow.
f. This plant thrives in neutral soil. It is a heavy feeder and requires a lot of moisture. However, you should not over-fertalize the area in which you grow this plant.
g. It requires a lot of water and it is best to use the drip irrigation system.
h. Other flowering plants make good companions for the Lemon Gem Marigold


3. INTERESTING FACTS:
Mizuna- Is often used as an addition to a fancy meal for visual appeal!
Onion- They turn pastel pink when pickled!
Lemon Marigold- Is a flower that is actually edible!

Carbon Fixation in Elodea

Analysis:

1. Phenol red changed colors when we blew into the tube because adding CO2 lowers the pH level and Phenol red is a substance that changes colors as the acidity is changed. Its color change indicated that the pH level was lowered by the CO2.
2. It took roughly 5-10 minutes to see a color change when we blew into the Phenol red. However, it took about 30 minutes to see a color change when we added the Elodea plant. The color change in the Phenol red with the Elodea Plant indicated that the plant had been photosynthesizing the CO2.
3. The Phenol red and Elodea light independent tube did not photosynthesize. This is because light is a key factor to photosynthesis and is not possible without it.
4. I did not see a change in color of the phenol red test tube with no elodea. This is because the elodea had been sucking up the CO2 for photosynthesis, and the elodea independent tube had not. Therefore, the acidity did not change.
5. Carbon fixation does not occur in humans. However, it does occur in some bacteria. Other than that, plant are the most well known for their carbon fixation.
6. A plant uses carbon + H20 + light to build simple sugars like glucose and fructose. Unlike many other living organisms, plants can make food energy instead of just being able to break it down.
7. Having a control in this experiment is important because we can manipulate the light component. Our control allows us to see that light is needed in order for photosynthesis to occur.

Invasive Species

The Walking Catfish

Clarias batrachus

 

Ecosystem/ Region?:

The Walking Catfish is native to Southeastern Asia. The fish prefer muddy, warm, swamp like, environments. Now the Walking Catfish has currently spread and overpopulated certain areas in northern Florida, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, and Nevada. Their intolerance for cold water has caused them to expand across the seas.

When/ Where it was introduced?:

The Walking Catfish were native in S.E. Asia. However in the 1960's they were brought to America through an aquarium industry. The fish were either released from a Florida fish farm or Brownward County. In 1968 Florida banned possession of Walking Catfish. It is said that farmers purposely released more of the fish in order to encourage growth of the species against the State's will.

Why is it harmful? Who does it impact? How?:

The Walking Catfish have been considered to be one of the worst invasive species in the Unites States. This is because the fish is incredibly strong and is able to dominate other resident populations. They consume food quicker and easier than other species, causing many fish to die of starvation. However, the biggest economic impact has not been on loss of fish, it has been on Florida fishing companies having to install fence barriers in ponds, lakes, rivers, and the ocean, in order to help prevent the Walking Catfish from invading.