Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Galápagos Islands Tortoise




The Galápagos Islands Tortoise is the largest tortoise in the world, reaching over 800 pounds and lengths of over six feet. They usually live to be around 150 years old. The oldest giant turtle, named Jonathan, lived to be 175 years old. These extraordinary animals can go a year without food or water and still maintain a weight of 550 pounds. The Galápagos Islands Tortoise can accomplish this by sleeping for around 16 hours a day. The ancestor of these animals was most likely a regular sized tortoise.
They could have become larger after their arrival due to the fact that there was no longer a need to hide from predators and that
there was no competition for food. As the tortoises spread to different islands, they turned into the different races that we have
today. Of all the amazing animals on The Galápagos Islands, The Galápagos Islands Tortoise is definitely one of them.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Biodiversity

Q: What are ways in which preserving biodiversity locally might have a global effect?
A: The rainforest and the animals that live in it have been described as the lungs of the Earth. The rainforest is responsible for turning 20% of the Earth's carbon dioxide into oxygen. With the deforestation of the rainforest comes more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This could result in a much warmer climate because of the greenhouse effect.

Source: http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm

Q: How do habitat destruction and loss of species affect more than just one area?
A: The Global Biodiversity Outlook and the world bank have done research and found that if 20% of the Amazon rainforest is deforested, it would cause a significant dieback of other forests around the world.

Q: How does preserving biodiversity enhance the life of people?
A: Having biologically diverse ecosystems enhance the lives of people because ecosystems with more diversity are healthier and healthier environments mean better resources.