What exactly is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is generally defined as “the existence of many different kinds of plants and animals in an environment.” (Merriam Webster Dictionary, n.d.) However, there is no single definition for biodiversity. One definition for biological diversity is “a diversity among and within plant and animal species in an environment” (Biological Diversity, n.d.). Biodiversity can also be defined as “the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region” (Biological Diversity, n.d.). Another definition is “the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems” (Biological Diversity, n.d.). There are at least two levels at which biodiversity has been identified as: genetic diversity and ecological diversity.
Genetic diversity is where we can best see the development and changes in diversity. This includes the various types of genes that are accessible for set members of a species. This can include a family, a population, a region, or the entire species. This much variety in genes allows that species to have a multitude of inherited traits that allow it to survive through any changes in the environment. Species with slight hereditary diversity have limited ability to adapt to changing weather conditions or insect pests. An example of which is farm hybrids, which are special breeds of crops or livestock that are all closely related. Two examples of this are the mule, which is a hybrid of a male donkey and a female horse, and a hinny, which is the hybrid of a female donkey and a male horse. Species that are deficient in genetic diversity have a hard time adapting to an altering environment and have a hig...
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Sandra Cisnero’s House on Mango Street offers a first-hand account of the poverty encountered by many Mexican Americans. Esperanza, a young Mexican American girl, shares a variety of experiences that closely follow her development of identity and maturity. Throughout the novel, Esperanza follows the process of maturity and learns the ways in which gender, class, and ethnicity affect her place in society.
Esperanza, a Chicano with three sisters and one brother, has had a dream of having her own things since she was ten years old. She lived in a one story flat that Esperanza thought was finally a "real house". Esperanza’s family was poor. Her father barely made enough money to make ends meet. Her mother, a homemaker, had no formal education because she had lacked the courage to rise above the shame of her poverty, and her escape was to quit school. Esperanza felt that she had the desire and courage to invent what she would become.
The lack of a safe home environment, one of the obstacles Panchito faces. When they lived in Fresno, he and his family lived in an old garage, separate from the large main house of their employer. The windowless walls strained “to support the roof full of holes”(Jiminéz 58). In addition, Roberto, Panchito, and their father “sle[pt] outside under the trees” (58). Because of the lack of any plumbing or furniture, they took showers underneath a waterhose and they “[ate] dinner around some wooden crates,”(59). The absence of a proper home environment also speaks for his family’s financial situation. If they cannot afford a home, one could wonder how they can properly support their children. Their severe economic status could also explain their children’s lack of an education.
In Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street she captures the lives and difficulties of poor Hispanic women through the eyes of a young character named Esperanza. Though Esperanza’s age is not specified at any point in the story it is very clear that she is going through the motions of growing up. In this story Cisneros shows the many troubles these women face such as conflicts with themselves, their husbands (and men in general), and their culture. She also presents the limiting choices they make.
Biodiversity is the variety of species in the world or in a particular area or habitat and their loss is prevalent all over the world. This has mainly taken place because of habitat loss that is caused by deforestation, overpopulation, pollution and global warming. It is important that we (humans) take part in an action to stop the habitat loss we are causing. Biodiversity, from sea to land, all play an important role in our ecosystem and without them, we would suffer.
Juan is aware of the hostile environment in his native land. “He feared the land, and believed it possessed the power to kill him” (Dokey 30). Juan does not feel safe in his homeland because of the absence it created. Juan grew up in the village of Mexico, and it only created him memories of hardship. Dokey describes Mexico as a hard land. It took the life of his father, mother, and aunt (Dokey 29). All the negative connotations associated with the village of Mexico make Juan feel ultimate sadness. His anger becomes even more chronic after he loses his second child. At that point, he curses himself, the village, and God (Dokey 30). Dokey uses this setting to describe how home can cause unpleasant moments and make people feel resentful towards it. All of these unlucky events inspire Juan to move away from his native land and seek for a better
he story is a coming-of-age tale of a girl named Esperanza Cordero. Esperanza tells her story through small vignettes, which are brief descriptions or accounts of what happened. Each vignette is a new chapter, some chapters so short it’s like a short poem. Initially, Esperanza’s first vignette, titled “The House on Mango Street,” shows her disappointment on the new house. Their whole family would have to share a bedroom, and the house was in a horrible condition. Throughout the next few chapters, Esperanza takes the reader throughout the neighborhood, and describes the kind of people that live there. This is the main conflict, with Esperanza’s narrative, the reader can see the amount of poverty and crime present on Mango Street. Another conflict
If I were the Prime Minister of Canada the environmental issue that I would focus on for the next five years is the biodiversity loss in Canada. Canada is the world’s second largest country in size, with 9.98 square kilometers and a population of 35 million people. A country that is so huge must also be rich in species? An estimated 14,000 species live in Canada, and only half have been identified. Canada is such a large country and so sparsely settled for the most part that it is very difficult to know and name every single species living in the country. This just gives you a glimpse of how naturally diverse the country really is.
Esperanza Cordero, the protagonist, is a round, dynamic character who grows both emotionally and physically during her time on Mango Street. Esperanza begins writing this story when she is around 12 years old, causing the writing to be naive in the beginning. She sees things as a child would see them, innocently. Throughout the story, Esperanza struggles with the feelings of loneliness and shame of being poor. All she wants is to fit in with someone somewhere. Esperanza uses her writing to connect with va...
A major theme displayed in Steinbeck’s novel is the difference between the standard of living for Mexicans and that for Europeans. The Mexican people of La Paz are very poor, most of them living in brush houses that contained only one room (Ariki). In Kino’s hut, the single room is used as the kitchen, the bedroom, and Coyotito’s nursery (Johnson 181). Their poverty is further displayed by the dirt floor covered with ants and other insects (Johnson). “He slipped his feet into his sandals and went outside to watch the dawn” describes his morning routine (Steinbeck 3). Kino’s daily breakfast consisted of corncakes and pulque, which is an alcoholic drink (Johnson 182). Since the Mexicans can’t afford utensils, they have to use their hands to eat their food. This is ironic because the Mexicans were the ones who worked the hardest for their living (Johnson 181). Around midday, Kino and the others would go to the sea in their canoes and dive for pearls. Since this was their family’s only source of income, t...
Genetic diversity ids defined as the diversity or genetic variability within species. Every species possesses genes which are the source of its own unique features. In human beings, for example, each person's genetic individuality is reflected by the huge variety of people's faces. The term genetic diversity also involves distinct populations of a single species, for example the thousands of breeds of different cats or dogs or the numerous variety of mangoes. The significance of Genetic Diversity is important as it helps in maintaining the gene pool. An individual or a whole population's ability to tolerate stress from any given environmental factor is defined by the huge variety of gene sets.
In The Diversity of Life, Edward O. Wilson reflects on how the living world became diverse and how humans are destroying that diversity. In the book’s preface, Wilson defines biodiversity as “the totality of inherited variation in all organisms in a selected area” (Wilson ix). He adds that modern technology will allow for us to find many new species that were previously unknown to be in existence.
The degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity is increasing at an alarming rate every year. Humans are certainly not the only reason for this, but they are the main contributors. The well-being of ecosystems affects our everyday lives - consumption and consumerism depend on natural resources. Everything humans use is derived from them, in seemingly indirect and direct ways. Yet despite the fact that humans are destroying the environment, many continue to and neglect to take important measures to protect it.
Nowadays it is common to read articles in newspapers and magazines regarding biodiversity issues. Human beings have been knowingly and unknowingly destroying biodiversity since their existence. Biodiversity is the measure of the variety of species of animals living in an area. Forests are usually areas with high biodiversity while deserts are the opposite. Human beings have always destroyed biodiversity either by deforestation, or by some other means. Biodiversity depletion is a natural phenomenon. But the present levels of biodiversity depletion are many times higher than the natural rate. Recently the levels of loss in biodiversity have started causing global concern. Some of the main causes for loss in biodiversity are alteration of habitats, increasing levels of pollution and human population growth.
NEED AND PURPOSE FOR CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY: Biodiversity, a contraction of “biological diversity,” generally refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. The very existence of human species and sustainable development depend on biodiversity conservation, therefore the need for conservation of biodiversity is basically for this reason that all living creatures need other creatures and plants in one way or the other. At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are mainly derived from biological resources. Biodiversity is necessary for our existence as well as valuable in its own right as it provides the fundamental building blocks for the many goods and services which are essential