What Is the Definition of Carrying Capacity in Biology

Biological carrying capacity is defined as the maximum number of individuals of a species that can exist in a habitat indefinitely without threatening other species in that habitat. Factors such as available food, water, cover, prey and predator species will affect biological carrying capacity. Unlike cultural carrying capacity, biological carrying capacity cannot be influenced by public education. When a species exceeds its biological carrying capacity, the species is overpopulated. A topic of much debate in recent years due to the rapidly expanding human populations, some scientists believe that humans have exceeded their biological carrying capacity. Determining Carrying Capacity Although the biology term was originally coined to describe how much a species could graze on a portion of land before permanently damaging its food yield, it was expanded later to include the more complex interactions between species such as predator-prey dynamics and the recent impact modern civilization has had on native species. However, competition for shelter and food arent the only factors that determine a particular species carrying capacity, it also depends upon environmental factors not necessarily caused by natural processes — such as pollution and species of prey extinctions caused by mankind. Now, ecologists and biologists determine the  carrying capacity of individual species by weighing all of these factors and use the resultant data to best mitigate species overpopulation — or conversely extinction—which could wreak havoc on their delicate ecosystems and the global food web at large. Long-term Impact of Overpopulation When a species exceeds its niche environments carrying capacity it is referred to as being overpopulated in the area, which oftentimes leads to devastating  results if left unchecked. Fortunately, the natural life cycles of and balance between predators and prey typically keep these outbreaks of overpopulation under control, at least in the long term.   Sometimes, though, a certain species will overpopulate resulting in the devastation of shared resources. If this animal happens to be a predator, it might over-consume the prey population, leading to that species extinction and the unfettered reproduction of its own kind. Conversely, if a creature of prey is introduced, it might destroy all sources of edible vegetation, resulting in a decrease in other prey species populations. Typically, it balances out—but when it doesnt, the entire ecosystem risks destruction. One of the most common examples of how close to the edge some ecosystems are to this destruction is the alleged overpopulation of the human race. Since the end of the Bubonic Plague at the turn of the 15th century, the human population has been steadily and exponentially increasing, most significantly within the last 70 years. Scientists have determined that the carrying capacity of Earth for humans lies somewhere between four billion and 15 billion persons. The human population of the world as of 2018 was nearly 7.6 billion, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs  Population Division estimating an additional 3.5 billion population growth by the year 2100. Humans are in a position where they have to work on their ecological footprint if they hope to survive the next century on this planet.

Beowulf Characterization Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 924 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/05/08 Category Literature Essay Level High school Topics: Beowulf Essay Did you like this example? Beowulf Characterization Essay Evil monsters, greedy dragons, and heroes as strong as a bear can all be found in the literary masterpiece, Beowulf. This book is a classic fantasy that can be enjoyed by all ages. The book is about the main character Beowulf, a strong king who goes through many challenges during his lengthy rule of the Geats. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Beowulf Characterization Essay" essay for you Create order He was a good king who always held his ground and fought for what was right. Beowulf’s character shines the brightest during combat, which can be seen in the fights with Grendel, Grendels mother, and the Dragon. The battle with Grendel was the first one in the book and introduced us to Beowulfs character qualities. Grendel was a monster who descended from â€Å"Cains Clan.† He terrorized the Danes for 12 years before he was slayed. He was described as being, â€Å"warped in the shape of a man, moves beyond the pale bigger than any man, an unnatural birth called Grendel.† (Heaney, 1351-54) Grendel was a monster that no one could seem to defeat. He was huge and powerful, unable to be hurt by any weapons. Grendel was feared by all except for Beowulf. Beowulf had heard of the monster and sought to defeat it. He went to the land of the Danes and talked to the king there about killing Grendel. The king, at first did not believe him until Beowulf boast about himself. This gave the king hope, and he agreed to let Beowulf try to kill the â€Å"Dark Death-Shadow† During the night a violent battle ensues in which Beowulf ultimately comes out on top. The hero killed the beast with his bare hands by ripping off an arm from the fiend. This scene showed Beowulfs amazing strength. The victory however, is short lived as the mother of Grendel came to seek her revenge. Grendel’s mother is a foul beast looking for revenge. Beowulf knew something had to be done and quickly got ready for battle. Beowulf, with the king of the Danes and his company, marched to the marsh. There at the edge of the water Beowulf gave a confident speech. His final words were, â€Å"with Hrunting (his sword) I shall gain glory or die.†(Heaney, 491) Immediately after these bold words Beowulf, without hesitation, dove straight into the lake. This part of the book really captures the bravery of Beowulf. He blindly goes after the evil beast, swimming through the depths of its’ territory without knowing where the fiend is, or what will happen. Beowulf gets briefly captured by Grendels mother but soon escapes her grasp, narrowly missing death because of his fine chain-mail armor. In Beowulf’s quick thinking, he finds and grabs an ancient relic from the lake bottom and kills Grendel’s mother with a slice to her neck. Meanwhile, the battle had taken so long that the king of the Danes had lost hope and left. Only a few of the villagers remained long enough to see his return. Beowulfs confidence and bravery led him on to rule a peaceful kingdom for 50 ye ars before another threat came about. Beowulf had one final battle against a mighty dragon. The dragon was the guardian of treasures within a mountain. Someone had enraged the dragon by stealing some of its treasure. This caused the dragon to seek revenge by wreaking havoc upon the Geats. Even in his old age, Beowulf knew he had to do something about the terrible monster. So off he went up the mountain with a shield of iron and his trusty sword. Beowulf faced off with the dragon but this time his luck had failed him, and his sword shattered into pieces on the monsters’ skull. Beowulf, not giving up, decided to try to kill the beast with his bare hands. This did not go well for him, and he started to lose the fight. Beowulf’s armed guard being so afraid of the dragon, fled from the scene. Only one man remained to help Beowulf and his name was Wiglaf. Wiglaf was a young warrior and this was his first time seeing combat. Despite this he bravely jumped in and stabbed the dragon in the belly. It was too late however, and Beowulf had been bit on the neck by the winged demon. Despite having blood rush down his body and poison running through his veins, Beowulf was still able to catch the dragon in the neck with a dagger. The dragon met his end, but sadly so did Beowulf. Beowulf fought for what was right. He stayed brave and confident in himself despite his old age. After a long fight and even longer life, the great hero spoke his final words Wiglaf. â€Å"You are the last of us, the only one left of the waegmundings. Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.† (Heaney 2813-16) Beowulfs Character traits of bravery, confidence, and pride, can be seen in every battle the hero had. He killed the â€Å"Dark Death-Shadow† Grendel. He dove into the deep waters to slay the revenge crazed mother of Grendel. In his old age he fought and defeated the dragon that had destroyed his throne and terrorized his country. Beowulf’s bravery and confidence can be seen in every battle. He could things without hesitation and with excellence. Though in the end he died protecting what he loved and worked so hard for, Beowulf’s story captures our imagination and teaches us to be brave and bold in all aspects of life.

Benefits Of Attending A Community College - 897 Words

Students nowadays face many challenges when it comes to obtaining a college education. We evaluate an institution’s quality based on what we need the most. The qualities sought out may vary by each person’s personal point of view. However, as a student, I’ve found that most students seek for an institute that benefits them the most. Attending a community college has been an enormous advantage towards my education. I have been attending San Bernardino Valley College for the last two semesters. I have come to respect their philosophies and values. The institution has now been in business for 87 years. They venture to encourage both students and faculty towards high standards of achievement and progress into exceptional members of the society. They now offer a variety of degrees, transfer programs and certificates for a wide range of students. San Bernardino Valley College has an accomplished staff, student support services and technological tools that pave the road towards the conquest of a quality education. Benefits of attending a community college as opposed to a traditional university tend to be overlooked by potential students. They are either unaware of its advantages or do not fully understand how this type of education can benefit their cause. Year after year large amounts of students choose to go straight from high school and in to four-year universities. The problem with this particular situations is that universities in general tend to have 50-400 students in oneShow MoreRelatedBenefits Of Attending A Community College854 Words   |  4 PagesI would be attending a university like all of my friends in high-school. I never thought I would be attending a community college. I really hated the idea of community college. I thought it was for people who had low ACT score or people who didn t really try as hard as others in school. I always tried hard in school even when things got hard I still tried my best. I never thought it would be for me until I saw the benefits of attending a community college. I attend a two year college because IRead MoreBenefits Of Attending A Community College941 Words   |  4 Pages There are many benefits to attending a Community College; Community College allows people to save money on tuition and because of smaller class sizes, students are also able to receive more attention from instructors. Although there are advantages, there are also disadvantages with Community College. Normandale Community College has around 10,169 students enrolled, and a problem students encounter are fees. These fees include: textbooks, classes, orientation and game rentals. Many may wonderRead MoreThe Benefits of Attending a Community College Essay example870 Words   |  4 Pagestechnical college or local 2-year school was deplorably referenced to as â€Å"loser’s territory† and if you dared to enroll in one anyway and followed through to graduation, well you were congratulated but to a lackluster fanfare. Some community college graduates still receive this reception upon exit of a community college but attitudes are definitely changing. Today more than ever, degree-seeking individuals are paving the path to their careers through the entrance and exit doors of community colleges. TheseRead MoreCollege For The Masses By David Leonhardt933 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"College for the Masses† by David Leonhardt is a great article that displays the many benefits among lower-income students attending a four year college. â€Å"Why Poor Students Struggle† by Vicki Madden displays many examples from hers and her colleagues ex periences while providing statistics of the lower-income joining a four year college. The two articles both display the benefits of attending a four year college and that the education pays off. David’s article talked about the different educationRead MoreTwo Year College versus Trade School816 Words   |  3 PagesCollege (Two year) vs Trade School For some students, the question of what to do after high school may be a burden to even contemplate as it approaches quicker and quicker. The pressure to continue another four (or more) years of education after high school can be overwhelming considering twelve years of schooling has already been completed; why go right back to school again? When’s break time? Some people are simply just not ready for college and they know it, or at least until afterRead MoreBenefits Of Borrowing Money While At The Same Time Should You Borrow993 Words   |  4 Pageseducation whether the funds come from family or student loans its always an issue of is there enough money for expenses while attending college. There are benefits of borrowing money while at the same time should you borrow. Students use loans for various reasons, but for some loans are just a financial burden. This article is researched on twelve students from a community college. All the students had taken out loans for school purposes as well as personal purposes, but in all reality for school purposesRead MorePost Secondary Education : An Example Of Dedication, Work Ethic, And Self Motivation For A Better Life Essay1280 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Families from low-Socioeconomic status communities are less likely to have the financial resources or time availability to provide children with academic support† (National Center for Education Statistics, 2008).This quote difinitively provides the necessary information regarding attending post-secondary education. Even though this quote also seems very logical, it proves to be a breaking point for Americans in their decision to attend a post-secondary education college or technical school. Important mattersRead MoreTarget Market For Hillsborough Community College Essay721 Words   |  3 PagesTarget Market for Hillsborough Community College For Hillsborough Community College to attract the most students and achieve higher retention rates, Differentiated Marketing would be the best practice. Because Hillsborough Community College is predominantly diverse, target marketing groups should include dual-enrolled students, recent high-school graduates, young adults, and career-oriented adults seeking higher education. A smaller marketing group to consider is the mature adult over the age ofRead MoreCollege Education Is Not Granted For Everyone1461 Words   |  6 PagesMonica Sanad Professor Benjamin Bever English 112 26 April 2016 XX TITLE XX In retrospect, college education, in the old days, has been a privilege that was not granted for everyone. Unfortunately, this was a detriment likely to be caused by the inequality at race, gender or wealth. However, as humans have evolved beyond such inane, discriminatory issues, more people were able to go to college and earn a degree for a living, thus improving their quality of life and acting as a driving force to theRead MoreCommunity College : Is It A Waste Of Time?898 Words   |  4 Pages Is it beneficial to attend community college before attending a university or is it a waste of time? There is a huge debate on whether or not attending community college is worth the time, or if it is as wasteful as rumored. While some people argue that it is not worth attending a community college before a university, I believe that it is beneficial. It helps students transition from high school to college life as well as encourage them to further their education. Grubb, W. Norton, and Marvin

Maternity Leave free essay sample

The issue of maternity leave is a debatable topic among governments, employers and employees with differing interests. Varying across countries, Malaysia practices a minimum of 60 days according to the Employment Act 1955 (Lawnet. com. my 2010) . In theSun Newspaper, Chandranagayam (2010) discussed how Malaysian practitioners responded poorly towards National Union of Bank Employee’s (NUBE) call to increase maternity leave from 60 to 90 days, citing business operations’ interruptions, unhealthy business environment and 60 days being sufficient. The writer asserts that companies should focus on developing innovative solutions to provide for this benefit as most developed countries do. Presently, only the Selangor state enforces 90-day maternity live for its civil servants (The Star Online 2010) . The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) minimum standard is set at 14 weeks in promoting working women’s right (The Star Online 2010) . Vast majority of its 183 members provide 12 weeks or more maternity leave with more than 70 providing more than 14 weeks. The need becomes greater as Malaysian women are expected not only to be productive employees and leaders, but take on the motherhood role. A study from the Corporate Leadership Council (2009) finds effective work-life benefits result in star employees working harder and increased organization loyalty. This provides insights on how organizations can attract and retain skilled labour. Malaysia has yet to conform to ILO’s minimum recognized standard. 1. 2Issue 2: Migrant Workers 233 In March 2010’s issue of Bloomberg Businessweek, Zappei (2010) discussed on Malaysia’s migrant workers. Amnesty, an organization campaigning for international human rights urged for Malaysia to protect its migrant workers’ rights as they found exploitation of these low skilled workers a common occurrence. Among the mistreatment faced are arbitrary arrests, low wages, threats and unsafe working environments. This is a concern as more than one fifth of Malaysia’s workforce positions are filled by foreign labourers in positions shunned by locals in industries involving onstruction, households, factories and plantations. It is estimated about 1 million foreigners working illegally and 2 million working legally in Malaysia with most of them coming from poorer parts of countries including Philippines, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The situation impacts Malaysia’s diplomatic ties with other countries. Zamir (2009) found migrant workers dependent towards the economy where the global recession resulted in Malaysia cancelling more than 50000 visas in the first quarter of 2009. Many Bangladeshi workers were retrenched and forced to return to their home country, negatively impacting Bangladesh’s economic position and balance of payment being heavily reliant on providing migrant labour. Conversely, diplomatic relations among Malaysia and Indonesia over 52 years deteriorated over differing misconceptions over issues of criminal migrant workers and maid abuse. This is detrimental as both countries are heavily reliant on providing for each other’s economy (Newsbank 2009) . Over 30 years, the act resulted in about 70 percent Norwegian women today compared to less than half previously. With 40. 1 percent female board members in public listed companies, the Norwegian economy benefits from innovative contribution and high-level decision making from women. Malaysia observed a rise from 18. 8 to 30. 5 percent in top management positions in the public sector since 2004, but figures in the private sector remains low. Norway offers over a year’s parental leave hence an enabling environment is crucial for Malaysian women to contribute to the economy. Stone (2008) suggests three approaches to managing employment diversity Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), diversity management and affirmative action. EEO aims to eliminate unfairness in unrelated job factors and promote equitable employment opportunities for all applicants. These are often employers’ responses toward governmental legislations. Without sex discrimination in the workplace, HR practitioners need also look into ways to maximize the potential of the female employees. 2. 2 Issue 2: Migrant Workers The wellbeing of migrant workers in Malaysia deserves consideration as they significantly contribute towards firms’ productivity and the nation’s overall economy. The recurring issue on employee welfare has exacerbated, potentially damaging political ties and subjects Malaysia to public criticism. The government plays an important role in preventing exploitation of labour in the country through law and policy making. Being the biggest migrant employer in South East Asia, Malaysia, migrant workers are viewed to contribute towards developing a country’s economy but could also create social issues. Cultural differences could cause conflicts, reflected in the people’s perception and media (Amarjit 2005) . So far, the policy on Recruitment of Foreign Workers since 1991 outlines rules and guidelines on how migrant workers are to be treated. The policy requires migrant workers to have a written contract paid by the employer, wages, benefits and employment terms to be similar to local workers based on relevant national labour legislation and provide a conducive environment (clean housing and food) for the migrant workers. Although so, Malaysia is still lacking in a comprehensive legal and policy framework to regulate and manage migrant workers and different aspects of migrant workers are divided and overseen by different ministries and departments (Fair Labour Association 2008) . The lack of efficient management of human resources and processes could have led to employers disregarding the governmental policies for migrant workers enforced. 3. 0 IMPROVEMENT PLAN 700/233 3. 1 Issue 1: Maternity Leave Malaysia will soon need to step up and comply with ILO’s maternity leave standards. The compliance will improve workplace benefits for women, in particular. Employers need to recognize the unique contribution of women in the workplace including diversity, creativity and part of the labour supply. Employers need to shift from the assumption that additional leave creates losses in man hours and consider the long term advantages reaped – retention of key employees. In facilitating this benefit for working women, the government should first increase the maternity leave standards for both public and private sectors to conform to ILO’s standards. This ensures an increased commitment from employers to comply with the new policy. Working women, on the other hand, will not consider motherhood to be of a disadvantage to their career development. In committing to women advancement in the workplace, employers should look into creative and innovative workaround solutions. Employers should set up clear implementation guidelines and controls to cater for pregnant staff. Childbearing is not a sudden phenomenon; these female employees can plan and prepare their workmates throughout their pregnancy process in handing over their tasks. This permits a smooth handover during the transition period when she is on maternity leave. With flexible work arrangements and appropriate workload, returning employees will be able to resume their work positions with minimal disruptions to business activities. 3. 2 Issue 2: Migrant Workers The government plays a role in stepping up to prosecute those who illtreat its workers. Much improvement can be done to set up a legal framework in managing migrant workers’ HR activities. Workplace inspections should be conducted periodically. Migrant workers should also have communication access to relevant parties for issues. The Malaysian embassy and public affairs section should also work in response to refute on false accusations on Malaysian employers and foster better relationships with other countries. This helps Malaysia to obtain the supply of migrant workers needed for the economy. Improved legislation need to be enforced to guarantee and safeguard interests of both the employers and migrant workers. There is a need for companies to look into managing industrial relations on migrant workers’ rights, employment conditions and wages. Being a HRM function, companies need to manage the complex relationships between workers, employers and legislative bodies. With varying practices across organizations, HR managers need to observe the legal requirements in managing the migrant workers through anti-discriminating measures (Stone 2008). Companies need to work towards complying with the Policy on Recruitment of Foreign Workers. Appropriate resource planning helps companies to project the labour needed thus mimimizing the need for retrenchment of migrant workers for other options including outsourcing and hiring part time workers.