Modification on Habitat

In most cases, habitat modification poses a much greater threat to animals than the fire itself. Many animals are forced to move to other areas in order to find food and shelter when fires were to occur. The length of time animals are forced to move out of a burned area depends heavily on the size and severity of the burn, as well as the season during which the burn takes place. 

Some animals, particularly small mammals, will experience relatively large population declines immediately after a fire. However, other animals have also been known to return to a burned forest within only a few days. Some animals prefer and even thrive in recently burned forests. For example, the reduction in undergrowth and ground debris can expose small mammals making hunting easier for raptors. 

Web Cited: Weston, Dan. "Effects of Wildfire on Animals." Wildlife Risk Explorer. Institute for Natural Resources, Jan. 2000. Web. 01 May 2015. 

- Jesus Perez

Beneficial Forest Fires

The destructive manner of wildfires helps the environment and the forest’s habitat in a variety of ways. The intense heat of these fires strip the nutrients and minerals out of many burning plants, restoring the soil’s composition and creating amore fertile growing area for new species. 

Not only do they remove dead and decaying plants that act as fuel for future fires, wildfires also work to eliminate dense foliage and thin out the forest allowing plants closer to the forest floor to come in more contact with sunlight and rain. 

Webs Cited: "The Many Benefits of Forest Fires." GEOL 105 Natural Hazards. The Wordpress Experts, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. 

- Jesus Perez

Fracking

Natural gas is found through a method known as fracking. Fracking is drilling down earth surface with high pressure directed straight into a rock to release natural gas. "Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out the head of the well" ("What Is Fracking and Why Is It Controversial?"). This method has a significant impact on the environment. If carcinogen chemicals were to escape at any time, it could contaminate the ground water near the fracking site, putting many people at risk of not having clean water.  Also, it has been shown that fracking has caused minor earthquake."Two small earthquake of 1.5 and 2.2 magnitude hit Blackpoll area in 2011 following fracking" ("What Is Fracking and Why Is It Controversial?").  Fracking causes great damage to th earth, causing unnatural disasters. 

Work cited: 

"What Is Fracking and Why Is It Controversial? - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., 27 June 2013. Web. 04 May 2015.

-Janine C.

Drilling For Petroleum

Drilling for petroleum has a big impact on the marine life. When drilling we are eliminating any vegetation and top soil. This leads to the loss of some wildlife habitat, reduction in plant diversity, and it increases the potential of erosion, and there is also an introduction of invasive or noxious weeds ("Oil and Gas Drilling/Development Impacts"). In addition, there is a reduction of habitat and many animals tend to die due to the drilling. Also, the animals are at risk of contamination. If one of the pipelines were to burst or leek, this will then cause an oil spill that is hazardous for everyone. 

Work Cited:

"Oil and Gas Drilling/Development Impacts." Oil and Gas Drilling/Development Impacts. Web. 28  Apr. 2015.

-Janine C.

Transformer

You might be wondering what this is and well it is called a Transformer. George Westinghouse invented this transformer in 1885 to allow power to be efficiently transmitted over long distances. To transmits over to long distances it needs high voltage, which is very dangerous because you are using so much power that if you touch it, it can harm you. This made it possible to supply power to homes and businesses located far from the electric generating plant (Electricity Forum). Since the transformer needs high voltage, companies need to be very careful because it can overheat and cause a fire.

-Minanyiles Quintero

Works Cited:
"What Is Electricity? - Information Resource Center." What Is Electricity. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. 

Electrical Fires

This picture demonstrates an electrical fire. Electrical fires are caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits and frayed extension cords. Electrical fires affect the environment because of the smoke and toxic gases that it releases. 

Work Cited:

"Electrical Fires, Lightning and Electrical Fire Prevention Tips." Electrical Fires, Lightning and Electrical Fire Prevention Tips. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.

-Minanyiles Quintero

Energy Problem

Our energy system is dysfunctional because highly concentrated forms of energy are short in supply. 

Highly concentrated forms of energy are found in nature, such ass fossil fuels, large rivers, waterfalls and burning trees (Decent Democracy).  This becomes a threat to our ecosystem because without energy nothing moves nor transforms. 

Work Cited:"Energy Problems." - Decent Democracy. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. <http://www.decent-democracy.org/Energy-Problems.html>.

-Minanyiles Quintero