Conservation of the Table Mountain Ghost Frog Essay Example

Conservation of the Table Mountain Ghost Frog Essay A researched examination into the critically endangered frog species, Heleophryne rosei, with specific regard to its habitat, ecology and population. In addition to the various threats this species faces and conservation actions implemented to safe–guard its remaining numbers. L. S. Maistry 212510816 Department of Life Sciences , University of KwaZulu – Natal, Private Bag X 01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa . Submitted: 19 August 2013The focus of this assignment is a researched exploration into the existence of the critically endangered frog species, Heleophryne rosei, or as it is commonly referred to, the Table Mountain ghost frog (Minter et al 2004). Particular attention shall be paid to describing its habitat, ecology and population. Furthermore, the threats encountered by the species in addition to conservation methods implemented to safeguard its already severely declining numbers and the various implicit consequences of this , will be discusse d.The class Amphibia is an extremely fascinating and diverse one and has over the centuries astounded and intrigued not only the scientific community but society at large (Attenborough 2008). Amphibians are ectothermic, biphasic, tetrapods (Auerbach 1987). Their integral role in the ecosystem and various food webs is most certainly undeniable (Campbell et al 2011). From a taxonomic standpoint, frogs are a varied group of typically short, tailless Amphibians composing the order Anura (Auerbach 1987).More specifically, the species of concern to this particular assignment, the Table Mountain ghost frog, further belongs to the family Heleophrynidae (Caldwell et al 1993). This spectacular yet highly elusive frog species , resemble other Heleophryne species in terms of their morphologies , with specific respect to their body shapes , posture , elongated limbs and large , highly webbed and adhesive fingers and toes (Channing 2001) . In contrast with other species within this family, the Ta ble Mountain ghost frog differs in that it has an enlarged thumb-like inner metacarpal tubercle (Duellman; Trueb 1986).Also it does not possess a transverse band through the eye (Caldwell et al 1993). Further, the dorsum is green in colour with a dark maroon to purple mottling (De Villiers). Additionally, in terms of identification, the ventrum possesses a typically a pinkish-white shading, especially on the undersides of the limbs which itself has a particularly granular texture (Channing 2001). Adults range in approximate size from 50 mm for males to 63 mm for females, given in terms of snout-vent length (Poynton 1960).These morphological characteristics have enabled the Table Mountain ghost frog to fully exploit its various ecological niches in addition to best surviving and adapting to its conditions and habitat (De Villiers 1997). This species in particular, occupies a highly restricted range with a documented extent of occurrence being recorded at approximately 7-8 km? (Passmo re; Carruthers 1995). It is endemic to the southern and eastern slopes of Table Mountain which is situated in the Western Cape, South Africa (Channing 2001).The Table Mountain ghost frog is known to inhabit streams and moist, forested gorges (De Villiers 1997). Through careful observation, it has been noted that some non-breeding, adult members of the species occupy caves and have been found in narrow rock crevices (Power; Rose 1929). Morphological adaptations, as afore mentioned have led to the colonisation of such habitats by this species. Their highly webbed toes, with suction-like feet enable it to climb rocky, vertical facing slopes and easily navigate fast flowing streams (Channing 2001). Whilst it’s compressed, squat body enables it to hide in small crevices.The species lives in forest and vynbos heathlands whilst breeding in gorges, valleys and ravines on Table Mountain (Minter et al 2004). As the tadpoles of this species require in excess of a year to undergo metamor phosis it has proved imperative that there is perennial water to facilitate this development and general reproductive success (Passmore; Carruthers 1995). Unfortunately, the Table Mountain ghost frog’s numbers are in a state of perpetual declining (De Villiers 1997), this is due to a number of various factors which shall be discussed further within the contents of this assignment.Due to its general rarity and further elusive behaviour, in addition to the fact that this species is far from highly distributed, the accurate studying of population numbers and trends has proved difficult for herpetologists (Goombridge 1994). Gravid females have been noted during the period of October through December whilst advertisement calls have been heard during the month of December which coincides with the lower level and slower tides experienced during this period (De Villiers 1997). The close observations of ot only the Table Mountain ghost frog, but also weather and hydrological condition s have enabled populations to be better studied. Despite being situated in a protected natural environment, the Table Mountain ghost frog still faces numerous threats to its already diminishing populations (Channing 2001). Due to the nature of the location of the area its endemic to, human disturbance is a key threat. Table Mountain is situated within the bustling, epicenter of the metropolitan city of Cape Town, in addition to which it is a major eco-tourism location (Poynton 1960).Human disturbance is thus almost inevitable and so too is the subsequent introduction of disease (De Villiers 1997). Erosion is another substantial threat the species faces. Erosion would be most likely as a result of alien vegetation, the high levels of pedestrian foot traffic the area experiences as a result of being such a tourist hot spot as well as over grazing (Minter et al 2004). This all reduces run-off and stream flow which pose dire consequences for the species and their water dependent reprodu ction habits and tadpoles (Channing 2001).A further threat faced is the occurrence of too frequent fires and poor forestry practices, which leads to streams becoming blocked with sediment (Minter et al 2004). Water flow is further restricted with the construction of dams and reservoirs for human use (Morris; Camino 2010). In fairly recent times, global warming has become yet another monumental threat to the Table Mountain ghost frog’s numbers as reduced rainfall as a result may lead to a further loss of perennial streams, once more posing severe threats to the population numbers (Minter et al 2004).Also in recent years, a serious fungal disease strain, known as, chytridiomycosis has been found in some species of this already critically endangered species (Hyatt et al 2007). This particular fungal infection , which attacks the sensitive skin of the species which is essential to their respiration and thus survival, has been known to lead to dramatic declines in amphibian number s in very short periods of time (Hyatt et al 2007).In terms of conservation, several measures have been established to best ensure population numbers may be kept as stable as possible, as is very evident complete extinction of this marvelous species is indeed a reality (De Villiers 1997). Especially since local extinction has occurred in some parts of Table Mountain (Channing 2001). It has been estimated that the number of tadpoles in Skeleton gorge (an area the species has long been associated with) has decreased by 50 % since 1980 (Hyatt et al 2007).The range of the Table Mountain ghost frog is included within the Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which in itself is incorporated into the Cape Floristic World Heritage Site (Minter et al 2004). The species is monitored by the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board as a part of the threatened species program (Lips 1998). In addition Cape Nature carefully monitors the species, with particular att ention being afforded to erosion and alien vegetation control and the regulation and maintenance of perennial stream flow (Gascon et al 2007).It is hoped the rigid implementation of these measures may assist in regulating the rapidly diminishing populations of the Table Mountain ghost frog (Minter et al 2004). As always, increasing knowledge of the status of the Table Mountain ghost frog and the various conservation efforts in place, amongst the general public is a most imperative step in protecting is populations and generating awareness of its plight (De Villiers 1997). The loss of this species would not only be detrimental in terms of biodiversity but the ramifications of such would be far reaching in terms of its effect on food webs in the area (Gascon et al 2007).In conclusion, after a detailed exploration into the habitat, ecology, population and even morphology of the elusive Table Mountain ghost frog a true appreciation for this elusive species may be attained. Such interest in this species is vital considering its current status being at the critically endangered level. After an analysis of the threats this species face, which was discussed through the contents of this assignment, the severity of the reality the table Mountain Ghost frog are confronted with is indeed daunting.One may hope the conservation efforts implemented would suffice to bring this magnificent creature from the brink of total extinction. ATTENBOROUGH, D. 2008. Between the water and land. In: Life in cold blood, pp. 41-43. Princeton University Press, London. AUERBACH, R. D. 1987. Herpetology. In: Amphibians and reptiles of Botswana, pp. 2-6. Mokwepa Consultants, Republic of Botswana. CALDWELL, J. P. , VITT, L. J. amp; ZUG, G. R. 1993. Anura. In: Herpetology-An introductory biology of Amphibians and Reptiles, 2nd edn, pp 69-371. Academic Press, New York. CAMPBELL, N. A. , REECE J. B. , URRY, L. A. , CAIN, M. L. , WASSERMAN, S. A. , MINORSKY, P. V. amp; JACKSON, R. B. 2007. Amphibian s. In: Essential biology, 3rd edn, pp. 362-364. Pearson Benjamin Cummings, United States of America. CAMPBELL, N. A. , REECE J. B. , URRY, L. A. , CAIN, M. L. , WASSERMAN, S. A. , MINORSKY, P. V. amp; JACKSON, R. B. 2011. Amphibians. In: Biology, 9th edn, pp. 758 – 761. Pearson Benjamin Cummings, United States of America. CHANNING, A. 2001.Amphibians of Central and Southern Africa. Cornell University Press, London. DE VILLIERS, A. L. 1997. Monitoring the distribution and conservation status of threatened amphibians in the South Western Cape. In: Proceedings of the Third H. A. A. Symposium on African Herpetology, pp. 142-148. Herpetological Association of Africa, Stellenbosch. DUELLMAN, W. E. amp; TRUEB, L. 1986. Biology of Amphibians. McGraw-Hill, New York. GASCON, C. , COLLINS, J. P. MOORE, R. D. , CHURCH, D. R. , McKAY, J. E. amp; MENDELSON III, J.R. (2007) Amphibian Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC. Amphibian Specialist Group, Cambridge. GOOMBRIDGE, B. (ed. ) 1994. 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. HYATT, A. D. , BOYLE, D. G. amp; Olsen V. 2007. Diagnostic assays and sampling protocols for the detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 73: 175–192. LIPS, K. R. 1998. Decline of tropical montane amphibian fauna. Conservation biology 12:106-117 MEMERING, D. 1989. Organizing research writing.In: The Prentice Hall guide to Research writing, 2nd edn, pp 205 -245. Prentice Hall Int, United States of America. MINTER, L. R. , BURGER, M. , HARRISON, J. A. , BRAACK. , BISHOP, P. J. amp; KLOEPFER, D. (eds) 2004. Atlas and Red Data book of the frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SI/MAB biodiversity. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. MORRIS, J. amp; CAMINO, M. 2010. Economic assessment of Freshwater, Wetland and Floodplain ecosystem services. UK National Ecosystem Assessment, Cranfield University, Cranfield.PASSMORE, N. I. amp; CARRUTHERS, V. C. 1995. South African Frogs. 2 nd Edition. Southern Book Publishers and Witwatersrand University Press, Johannesburg. POWER, H. J. amp; ROSE. W. 1929. Notes on the habits and life-histories of some Cape Peninsula Anura. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 14:405-442 POYNTON, J. C. 1960. The Amphibia of Southern Africa. Ph. D. thesis, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. ___________________________________________________________________

Insanity Plea essays

Insanity Plea essays One of the many issues that trouble the American Justice System today is that of the insanity defense. This defense has been brought in front of courts for years and has caused massive debate. The insanity defense plays a powerful role in our society which begs for justice. However some look upon it as a god sent, while other feel it is the enemy. The insanity defense is rooted in a basic principle of justice: that it is unfair to hold persons responsible for their actions when they dont know, or cant control, what they are doing (Worth 16), but is it true that people really dont know what they are doing; and if so should they still be punished for it? Many who share negative feelings towards the insanity defense believe that it is not a defense in the victims case but a defense to aid the perpetrator. In courts the insanity defense has been used as a loophole for criminals to jump through, and escape a deserved punishment. States law student Cedrick Burrows. Crimes in our society are believed to not go unpunished, and with the introduction of the insanity defense into our courts criminals are beginning to dodge such promised justice. What about the families of the victims who have been raped, murdered, or beaten; what justice are they served if their attacker is let to walk free or spend time in a mental institution? Many others who are for the insanity defense believe it is unfair to punish a person when they are not aware of the crime they have committed. They believe that a person who wasnt aware of the crime or tuned in to what is right or wrong can not be placed in the same category of those who knowingly kill, rape, or beat innocent people. One case in which the inconsistency of the insanity defense is apparent is in that of the assassinator of former president James Garfield. Charles Julius Guiteau, after being caught and detained ...

7 Tips to Learn New Skills Fast

7 Tips to Learn New Skills Fast Everybody has their own reasons to learn new skills. Some need them for work, some because of the changes, caused by various life events, some choose to do it just because its fun. Wherever your motivation lies, mastering a new skill in a quicker and more efficient way will certainly benefit you. Weve collected 7 tips to help you do this. Pick the one to your liking or try combining all of them! Stare Steal In the vast majority of cases learning a new skill is not a matter of being naturally gifted. Its rather a combination of perseverance and practice. The research suggests, that to get started on this way you are to do two highly important things: stare at people doing something you want to learn and dont hesitate to use your observations in practice. Go to master classes, recitals or tournaments and turn them into a study session from an entertaining activity. Staring means close examining of what helps a person do something proficiently. Stealing is using these little details in your own activities. For instance, if you aim at learning how to play the piano – watch the moves of the musician and do your very best to notice special tilt of the wrist and the way they touch those ivories. And when you go back home, mimic the manners. This principle applies to lots of spheres of activities. Take it and use it. Deconstruct Learning a new skill gets far more manageable when you dissect it into several constituents. A functional model of doing this in an effective way was suggested by Tim Ferris, an expert on learning issues. He has come up with DiSSS system: Deconstruction, Selection, Sequencing and Stakes. So, first you have to break down the skill into small bricks. Then you choose the way of applying 20% of effort, thats going to bring 80% result. Next, you are to think of the best order to learn the blocks of the skill. Last but not least, you need to come up with a system of praise and punishment, thats going to motivate you to actually go all the way through. Lets say your goal is learning how to play the guitar. To begin, you need to learn a set of chords, necessary to play a couple of your favorite songs. Having looked through the list, you may range them from the easiest to the most complicated ones. Then, start practicing, gradually increasing the difficulty level. Dont stop until youve come to the first evident result. Once youre there – throw a little party and perform for your guests. If youre not – dont go out until you reach the needed result. See? DiSSS in action! Dont Be Afraid to Be Stupid Thats one of the most common fears. Dont let it stand in the way of your learning new, amazing things. Ask questions and make mistakes – thats a sure recipe of getting not theoretical knowledge, but hands-on experience, which is a much shorter way to succeeding in a new area. Dont hesitate to take risks and make scary decisions. Going the safe, correct way may deprive you of the opportunity to engage into an interesting journey, that will actually be far more beneficial in the end. Who knows, maybe the stupid question you ask on the forum will lead to unexpected fascinating circumstances? Maybe the way you cook that meal is even better than the original recipe? Be a daring explorer and have fun with it. â€Å"No† to Routine The study has shown, that changing the way of practice is more advantageous than mere repetition of the action. The participants were asked to attend several training sessions, aimed at teaching them to move a cursor with the help of a device, that responded to squeezing. Representatives of one group were asked to perform different exercises during the sessions, while people from the other one stuck to a single exercise pattern. In the end, participants from the first batch showed better results, having demonstrated higher level of ability to adjust to new conditions as well as better overall performance. Although the research concentrated on motor skills, the approach is applicable to other ones just as well. For example, when you learn a new language, you may either simply repeat and revise new words or use them in different constructions or word games. In fact, youll see the benefits of the second method quite soon. Dont Make Things Difficult Thats simply a matter of common sense. The best practices of learning the skill youve chosen have probably already been established. So dont reinvent the wheel. Watch a couple of YouTube tutorials or go through articles, devoted to the topic. It never hurts to use others experience. Once you learn the basics, youll get a chance to create your own routes. Be a Doer, Not Just a Learner Going through theoretical basis is definitely a good start. However, if youve decided that to learn the skill you need to read 10 classic books, devoted to the topic, you are most probably wrong. If you dont see the first result of your practice soon, youre very likely to lose all the interest. Dont let this happen. So, if you want to learn how to cook, for example, get down to business as soon as possible. You may seek inspiration from different sources later. However, at the starting point you need to be as down-to-earth as possible. Cook that salad and youll get to the bouillabaisse faster. Discomfort Is a Friend People love being comfortable. Nevertheless, relaxation is not good if you want to master a new ability quickly. Your brain feels that the environment is safe and warm, thus, you shouldnt try any harder. Thats why putting yourself in rather tough conditions is actually good. The best-performing schools and training facilities often look pretty basic and definitely are far from luxury. So, dont get too comfy and try to avoid distractions. This technique will facilitate learning, enhance your performance and make you even happier, when you praise yourself with a little something, having made progress. Learning is an adventure, where the prizes are guaranteed, in case you pay enough effort and diligence. Have an awesome one!

Mandated Curriculum vs. Developmentally Appropriate Practices Essay

Mandated Curriculum vs. Developmentally Appropriate Practices - Essay Example While DAP allows children to solve their own problems as they are encouraged to engage themselves, it also helps in reducing learning gaps (Gestwicki 32). The processing capabilities of the children’s minds are also improved because they are encouraged to engage in the areas that they are most comfortable with thus improving creativity (Shipley). For the level of kindergarten, I feel that using textbook-based curriculum is not necessary. This is because textbook-based curriculum is restricted on the topics and areas that should be learnt. This therefore limits the scope of learning denying the children an opportunity to experiment, which is very important especially during the developmental stage. In addition, this mode does not favor the literacy skills of the gifted children because they are steered to a different direction away from their areas of expertise. As a recommendation, the mode of learning that encourages literacy development is the eclectic homeschooling (Bess). A schooling environment that provides an opportunity to teach is very important since the parent gets to pick the approaches to use when teaching the child. Bess, Beth W. "What Kind of Curriculum Should You Use? | Home Educators Association of Virginia." Home Educators Association of Virginia. n.d. Web. 10 Aug. 2014. http://heav.org/basic-info/gifted/what-kind-of-curriculum-should-you-use/ "Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)† National Association for the Education of Young Children NAEYC. n.d. Web. 08 Aug. 2014. http://www.naeyc.org/DAP Shipley, Tisha. "Early Childhood Education: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices into Literacy Instruction - Whole Child Education." Whole Child Education. 22 Jan 2014. Web. 10 Aug. 2014.

Individual Data Analysis Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Individual Data Analysis Report - Assignment Example Although he has enough knowledge needed to start such an upscale restaurant, he is unsure about the demand for such a restaurant in the city. The city had a population of nearly 500,000 but he could not provide any assurance regarding the taste or the income which would generate the demand for his restaurant. In such a situation, Michael requires to collect some additional information, on the basis of which he will succeed in promoting his restaurant properly and make the design, choices and price as per the preferable choice of the customers. In this context, the project aims to answer the questions raised by Michael and suggest him the most suitable way that he should choose to make his new business intervention profitable. The questions are as follows: Is there sufficient demand for such an upscale restaurant in the city? How much price are the patrons or the potential customers willing to pay? What should be the operating and design characteristics of the store? Where should the restaurant be located in the city? What should be the promotional strategy that the organization should follow? In order to find the answers to these questions, the study intends to frame certain hypotheses and find the answers to the questions by accepting or rejecting those. The study also uses descriptive analysis and frequencies to facilitate the process of finding the answers to the questions. Finally, the paper will be providing the necessary recommendations to Michael. Preliminary Analysis In the preliminary analysis, descriptive analysis and analysis using the frequencies is done and it is focused on finding answers to the questions raised by Michael. Frequencies of categorical variable The frequencies of the categorical variable when performed, it firstly found that the people of the metropolitan city where Michael is intending to open his business, about 100 percent of the people do eat in this type of upscale restaurant at least once in every two weeks. The analysis also revealed that maximum people is seen to pay $110 towards their meal in the restaurant for each month, which is unlike the expectation of Michael. When the survey participants were asked for their opinion on the average price charged for an evening meal entree, they are found to spend $16 for evening meal entree itself (See Appendix I). The analysis shows that about 96.3 percent of the respondents watch radio. Among those 96.3 percent, maximum of the respondents are found to be listening to rock music. The next higher percent listens to news or the talk shows. Among the participants of the survey, about 89 percent of the respondents are found to be the viewers of the local news channel. Out of these respondents, maximum percent is the viewers of 10:00 news. Among the 94.5 percent of the respondents who are the readers of newspaper, a majority of the respondents are more interested in the local news. Therefore, the overall analysis reveals that a majority of the sample who participate d in the study are interested in newspaper and radio as their most preferable media which they listen to often. The least preferred one is television. Thus, it can be suggested that among these three, Michael can choose

Brothels and Convents in Renaissance and Measure for Measure Essay Example for Free

Brothels and Convents in Renaissance and Measure for Measure Essay In this investigation I will focus mostly on the regulation of both convents and brothels in the time period of Shakespeare and the early Renaissance. Ruth Mazo Karras’ â€Å"The Regulation of Brothels in Later Medieval England,† focuses exactly on this topic throughout England and other European countries during the Renaissance. In regards to the convents I will be looking closely at an article entitled â€Å"Subjects on the Worlds Stage: Essays on British Literature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance,† written by David G. Allen and Robert A. White. The regulations of brothels in the Renaissance were regarded heavily. Karras says that women within these brothels were basically regarded as evil and as sinners yet they remained occupying the position of prostitution solely because of the sexual appetite of men; these brothels were considered â€Å"†¦a necessary evil† (Karras). The first parallel between women of convents and stews I came to find was that of the aspect of being forbidden from society in a sense. Women of convents were completely shut off from the public, no insiders could leave and no outsiders could come in (Allen). The only difference in the secrecy of these two places was the fact that the brothels were attended by men. Karras also states that the women of brothels were not given any rights that regular women had, â€Å"In some places, she was not allowed to reject any customer, indeed could not be raped because she was considered to belong to all men and thus had no right to withhold consent† (Karras). These two aspects of women’s lives in this time period play a major part in the drama Measure for Measure, and especially set up the scene in the opening act of the play. When Claudio sends for his sister, Isabel, to help him get out of jail, in which he was sentenced to death for having premarital (by the eyes of the church) sex with Juliet, Isabel leaves the convent in which she was about to take her vows in order to save her brother. Thus, we have an almost-nun and sinful intercourse immediately in Act 1, both directly related to the idea of convents and brothels and the women within these places. In this case, however, Juliet is not a prostitute but in the eyes of Angelo and the law is regarded as one because of her and Claudio’s unofficial and insufficient marriage.

A Woman Mourned By Daughters: An Analysis :: essays research papers

A Woman Mourned By Daughters: An Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"A Woman Mourned by Daughters†, by Adrienne Rich, is a very descriptive poem in which two women are speaking to their dead mother. There are several parts to this poem starting from the when the mother dies, and moving gradually backward to when the daughters were young girls.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It begins with the daughters sitting in their mothers kitchen, â€Å"mourning† over their mothers death, only they aren't upset or crying (Lines 1-3). They are â€Å"spent† (drained and tired) from all the pressure their mother put on them, before and after she died.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The next section (Lines 4-10) is a description of their dead mother as a persistent presence in their lives. They are so burdened by the power she still carries over them, even though she is no longer living.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  They proceed in speaking about her as an elderly woman, weak and frail, â€Å" a straw blown on the bed† (Lines 11-14). The describe her on her death bed. â€Å" Like a corpse pulled from the sea†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the fourth section (Lines 15-20) they discuss that what upsets them now that she is gone, isn't the fact that she died, it is all the things that she used to do to them. A knot forms in their throats (â€Å"what rises in our throats like the food you prodded in†) as they think about how they used to be treated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After the mother dies, the daughters are left with several responsibilities which are discussed in the next section (Lines 22-28). These responsibilities are not ones which the daughters would be happy to take care of. They are so hateful toward their mother and the problems she left are only a burden to them. They feel that they are still being pushed around even after she is dead. Even the thought of taking care of their sick and dying father is thought of as a chore instead of a blessing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The final section of this poem (Lines 29-33) basically states that if they do something, and it isn't exactly the way their mother would have wished it done, they will be punished. They will feel the guilt from their mother, from beyond the grave, if they do not do things the way she did them, or would