Blog #8

 Your choice talk about something you learned or ask a question about something that is confusing you


I learned about ecology and how different animals interact with each other under one ecosystem. They all have relationships with one another and adapt to their environments and other species around them such as the food web/chain. I also learned about different biomes and how they each have a set of distinct characteristics. Earth's time periods/eras have distinct characteristics too such as different types of animals and extinctions.  In addition to learning about Earth's history, I learned about Earth's first atmosphere like how they contained different gases than the ones we have now. 

Blog #7

Compare and contrast two biomes describe them in detail include pictures of plants and animals you are liklely to see


Coastal Desert: Coastal deserts have cool winter and long, warm summers. The soil is fine- textured with some salt content. The plants that live there have extensive root systems that extend to take advantage or any rainfall. Also the plants with thick and fleshy leaves or stems can hold the water and save it for later. The plants living in these deserts include: salt bush,  buckwheat bush,  rice grass, black sage, and more. Some animals that have special adaptations to deal with the desert heat like laying dormant eggs or seal themselves in burrows with gelatinous secretions. Animals living in these deserts include: coyote, badger, toads, great horned owls, golden eagle, bald eagle, lizards and snakes.

 Temperate Grassland: Grasses are dominant in grasslands while trees and shrubs are absent. Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters. They also have moderate rainfall. The soil in these grasslands are deep, dark, and have fertile upper layers. The grass roots hold the soil together to provide food source for the living plants. Trees, plants, and flowers include: cottonwoods, oaks, willows, purpleneedle grass, buffalo grass, and blue gramma, clovers, sunflowers, and blazing stars. Animals include: gazelles, zebras, coyotes, foxes, badgers, owls, snakes, and deer.

Compare and contrast: These two biomes are alike because they both have warm/hot summer and cool/cold winters. Their plants also use their roots as an advantage to adapt with their environment. The also have some animals that are alike such as coyotes, badgers, and snakes. However they are different because coastal deserts have sand while temperate grasslands have grass. Their soils are also very different. Coastal deserts' soil are fine textured and have some salt content while grasslands' soil are deep, dark, and full of nutrients.

Blog #6

Which level of a food pyramid is the most important? Support your answer


I think grains are the most important food group because they give us energy because of their complex carbohydrates , reduce risk of some chronic diseases, and provide us with nutrients for our bodies. Whole grains can reduce constipation and the risk of coronary heart disease. Also it helps with weight management. Grains with folate could also prevent neural tube defects during fetal development of pregnancies. Grains provide us with a lot of nutrients too, including dietary fiber,  B vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients can help reduce high blood cholesterol levels, lower the risk of heart disease, form red blood cells,  build bones, and more. You also need the most servings of grains out of all the other groups.

Blog #5

Blog #5 There have been 5 major extinction events throughout history, are humans impacting the 6th? Why or why not?


Humans are impacting the sixth major extinction because we are the direct cause of destruction to the ecosystem and species. By transforming landscapes, introducing alien species, polluting the environment, and exploiting animals we are hurting the environment and the animals. Humans cause animals to go extinct by overhunting them and possible spreading disease-ridden organisms. Also, since the human population is growing, we clear lands to help feed the new generations and spread agriculture through higher fossil energy, therefore modifying the environment more.