Mangroves and sea grasses in Florida Research Paper

Mangroves and sea grasses in Florida - Research Paper Example They usually form mangrove forest that is often inundated by tidal salt twice a day. Sea grasses are grass-like flowering plants that are totally submerged in estuarine and marine waters. These habitats occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, however, most are found in Florida Bay, and the region between Tarpon Springs northward to Apalachee Bay. Types of Mangroves in Florida There are three species of Mangroves found along the coastal region of Florida: black mangrove, white mangrove, and red mangrove. Black mangroves survive in slightly higher elevations than red mangroves, while white mangrove grows upland more than black and red mangroves. Red mangrove grows along the water edge (Saenger 289). Red mangrove is identified by its branching and arching drop roots from branches, prop roots from trunk. Black mangrove is identified by its pencil-like roots that grow up through the soil. The white mangrove is identified by its more rounded leaves than the leaves of black and red m angrove (Saenger 289). Importance of Mangrove in the Ecosystem Mangrove ecosystems are essential habitat for fish production. They provide breeding and feeding grounds for shell fishes and many fishes. Besides fish, it also supports a variety of wildlife such as crocodile, snakes, birds, deer, insects and fishing cats (Saenger 289). The mangrove forests also protect the coast from floods, fury of cyclone, coastal erosion, UV-B radiation, wave actions and sea level rise. Mangroves act as sinks for nutrients, and traps for sediments (Saenger 289). How do Mangroves Reproduce? Mangroves are flowering and seed-producing plants. Their seeds are larger as compared to other seeds produced by other trees and plants, and they usually begin germinating while still attached to the main plant. When the seeds drop from the tree, they float on water for a short period, and then they sink to the bottom (Gleason 21). They float for a short period while being dispersed to areas where they can grow: t hey can only grow in tidal water. The rate of growth depends on mineral availability and climate. Health of Ecosystem Occupied by Mangrove These ecosystems are free from the deleterious impacts of UV-radiation. Mangrove trees produce flavonoids, which serve as UV-screen compounds. Shores and coastlines with mangrove forest are protected from cyclones with tremendous speed that severely disturbs and destroys coastal ecosystem. This makes it a potent nursery and breeding ground for many fishes and other wildlife (Gleason 21). The mangrove roots prevent erosion of the coast, and attract suspended sediments making these regions fertile grounds for cultivation. They also support the growth of planktons, which is a source of fish food (Gleason 22). How Mangrove deals with Salt in the Water Mangroves eliminate salt at the root level, and mangrove trees can tolerate high salt levels in their tissues more than normal plants. Most of the salts are eliminated at the root level through Ultra fi ltration process. Any salt that passes through the roots is stored in old and dry leaves, which are later shed (Gleason 42). A few mangroves can tolerate high salt levels in their tissues, and the excess salt is eliminated through specialized cells in their leaves. For example, Avecennia is the only tree that survives in hot and salty regions. Florida Laws that Protect Mangroves The Florida Legislature passed the Mangrove Trimming and Prevention Act to protect mangrove forests. The act

The Value of Doubt through O’Brien’s “On the Rainy River” Essay Example for Free

The Value of Doubt through O’Brien’s â€Å"On the Rainy River† Essay People value being certain as it gives them a sense of stability, self-reliance and control. Being certain gives one the power to be able to confidently assert beliefs or claims and act upon them. Descartes says as seen in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2005), â€Å"As my certainty increases, my doubt decreases, conversely, as my doubt increases, my certainty decreases. † Doubting threatens the stability and assurance one initially possesses, which is why it is less frequently valued or appreciated. However there is value in doubt, because through doubt, a person undergoes contemplation that may influence a decision or disposition, eventually evaluating the certainty of something. As a consequence the actions of the person toward this certainty may be compromised. This is exemplified in Tim O’Brien’s short story entitled â€Å"On the Rainy River†. The short story â€Å"On the Rainy River† chronicles the events of O’Brien’s life after he has successfully finished his studies at Macalaster College. During his stay in school, he was an achiever. It was the time of the Vietnam War and he then learns that he was being requested to go to battle. Undecided as to whether he should fight or not, he chose to stay and work in a factory but eventually realized that he could not find a way out of fighting. Unable to handle his situation anymore he fled to the Canadian boundary. There he met and spent time with the fishing resort owner Elroy Berdahl. O’Brien contemplated on the events of his life, especially during the fishing trip where he was faced with the option of going to Canada or going off to war. In the end, O’Brien chose to go return to his hometown and eventually decided to fight in the Vietnam War (Sparknotes, 2006). From the summary above, it can be seen that O’Brien doubted joining the war. This doubt that O’Brien felt was a huge contrast to the certainty he had when he was in Macalaster College. In the institution he was an honors student and represented the student body, making him strong and secure about himself, his ideas and his values. One example of this is his stand against war (Sparknotes, 2006). Once he received news of going to war, his initial reaction was to stand by his conviction. However, the notice fueled his thoughts about going to war. He started to contemplate and think about whether he is fit to be a combatant. People making him feel that he had to go to war further aggravated his hesitation. He also realized that it would be hard for him to find an excuse or a way out of combat. Doubting showed his struggle of letting go of what he was certain about, which was not to go to war. Because of internal and external influences that fed his doubt, his certainty on denouncing war diminished and he was unable to handle the burden and decided to run away. However, by leaving and meeting Elroy, he was also able to reflect upon the consequences of going and not going to war. He finally decides that he could not bear the thought of disappointing people he knew, especially his family. This shows the value of doubt because had he not questioned his stand, he would have not considered weighing what was more important to him at that point in his life. As he looked back, whether he was ashamed of his decision or not is not the main point. What is to be stressed is that his doubt was able to question his certainty and it made him act towards this as seen by his decision in the end to join the army. In conclusion, the value of doubt can be seen in the text as it shows how O’Brien’s outlook on participating in the war was affected. First, doubting allowed him to contemplate and reflect on something that he used to be certain about. Second, doubt contributed to changing his conviction, as after much contemplation, he could not bear the embarrassment of not going to war that led him to fight. Doubt is valuable because it has the power to challenge something that one considers as certain, and allows that person to take action. References Sparknotes. (2006). The things they carried study guide: â€Å"On the rainy river†. Retrieved October 24, 2007 from: http://www. sparknotes. com/lit/thingscarried/section4. rhtml Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2005). Descartes’ epistemology. Retrieved October 24, 2007 from: http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/descartes-epistemology/

Essay on Language and Mores in Sherwood Andersons Winesburg, Ohio

Language and Mores in winesburg, ohio Language and literature lead parallel lives. What changes most often and most dramatically is the language we use to describe events and feelings that are common to all times. Language shifts, stretches, adopts, and absorbs -- it drops antiquated terms and picks up a few new ones, and you don't have to look far to find novels and short stories grown stale from shaky, outdated prose, from too many neo-tropisms, catch-phrases, and slang with a short shelf-life. Literature, though inseparable from language, endures. Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio encapsulates both the changes that have swept up language from 1919 till the present, and the endurance of certain themes. The question concerning language is, at heart, a question of mores: How do you talk about yourself and others? What are we allowed to say, and how? The question posed by literature is moral in nature, but it is phrased differently: What is it about myself and others? The constraints in literature reflect the constraints in language, but the former apply to morality, the latter to mores. Morality, broadly defined, refers to a sense of decency inherent in everyone. Mores refer to the set of constraints, a sort of value table, that a society has placed on itself and on its members. Morality and literature have hardly changed -- their central concerns remain the same (man's place in the universe, death, love, everything in between). Mores and language have changed -- their central concerns have adapted to suit the shifting times. It's no surprise that morality often comes into conflict with mores (segregation was never moral, but it was, for a time, a more), and that literature often comes into ... ...being human. Winesburg seems less threatening now mostly because of its language, its timidity and overuse of euphemisms (particularly the word "adventure," used throughout to designate a sexual escapade, and Anderson's proclivity to drawing the blinds on his readers when things get too hot), not because it is any less a work of literature. Our mores have changed in much the same way. There is a tendency these days to spell everything out, moles and all, the more explicit the confessional the better, and this tendency will most likely pass. Our current mores are consistent enough with morality -- they are, in fact, outward signs that we are moral people -- but they are not inflexible. It is through the filters of language and mores that we look at literature and morality. And Anderson's Winesburg seems to be doing fine on both counts. It's still standing.

Benjamin Franklin: Man Of Manytalents

To say that Benjamin Franklin was a jack-of-all-trades is an understatement. Franklin, a notable polymath, excelled in politics, diplomacy, writing, printing, math and science. His inventions, both physical and social, subsist in modern societies worldwide. But Franklin influenced no country more than the land he fathered, the United Sates of America. His signature is on our Declaration of Independence, but Franklin’s influence does not stop there. His signature is also on the lightning rod, glass harmonica and bifocal glasses.His signature graces the abolition movement, republicanism and the Franklin Institute of Boston. Franklin’s contributions to the advancement of the United States of America were diverse and long-standing. Verification lies in Franklin’s involvement with the American Revolution and abolitionism, as well as his lasting legacy in American society. To understand a person and his contributions, it is important to know the man behind the ideas. B enjamin Franklin was born in 1706 to Puritan parents Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. Benjamin was one of Josiah’s seventeen children, ten of which were born of Abiah Folger.From a young age, Puritan values were instilled in Benjamin’s daily life. Hard work and equality are two such values that followed Franklin through his professional career. At twenty years of age, according to his autobiography, Benjamin penned a list of thirteen virtues by which he should conduct his life. The list includes common Puritan values, such as humility, moderation and chastity. Franklin also added a few of his own principles, including resolution, order and justice. â€Å"These names of virtues, with their precepts were: 1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i. e. , waste nothing. 6. Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 8.Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 9: Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. 11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation. 13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates. † This diverse list would prove invaluable throughout Franklin’s career.Be it his diplomacy during the American Revolution, the abolition movement after the war, or his lasting contributions to American society, Franklin rarely saw a dichotomy between personal beliefs and public persona. Our first glimpse into the mind and times of Franklin came via his 1733 publication of Poor Richard’s Almanack. Under the pseudonym Richard Saunders or â€Å"Poor Richard,† Franklin composed an abstract almanac. The publication included conventional information such as calendar, weather astronomical and astrological information.It was abstract, however, in that Poor Richard’s Almanack contained proverbs composed personally by Benjamin Franklin. The same pages that included temperature fluctuation and moon cycles also housed some of the most recognizable maxims of modern history. â€Å"Fish and visitors stink in three days,† warned Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanack. Some sayings have changed slightly over time. For example, we know â€Å"a penny saved is twopence dear† as â€Å"a penny saved is a penny earned,† but both hold true in modern society. The mere compilation of information and statistics was commendable in Franklin’s time.Poor Richard’s Almanack was notably accurate and popular among American citizens. The annual publication ran without interruption from 1733 through 1758. Franklin sold roughly 10,000 copies of Poor Richard’s Almanack per year, an amount comparable to nearly three million copies by today’s standards. Franklin was not content publishing a traditional almanac. In 1750, Franklin reported what would prove to be our country’s first unofficial demographic. Franklin continually redefined and remolded Poor Richard’s Almanack throughout its tenure.However, it would be Franklin’s proverbs of Puritan virtues that proved most noteworthy of Poor Richard’s Almanack subject matter. Nowhere are Franklin’s virtues more apparent than in his supp ort in the abolition of slavery. It was not until after that American Revolution that Franklin declared himself an abolitionist. However, it goes without saying that Franklin’s Puritan morality had been leading him there for some time. It is also interesting to note that Franklin’s maternal grandmother, Mary Morrill, was an indentured servant prior to marriage.It could be said that abolitionism ran through Franklin’s veins. Franklin’s first public exposure to slavery and abolition came during the American Revolution via a British court ruling by Lord Chief Justice Mansfield. Mansfield presided over the case of James Somerset, a British-owned slave who ran away from his master. After much deliberation, Mansfield ruled in favor of the runaway slave. Mansfield determined that since slavery had never existed as an institution under British law, Somerset was free. This marked the beginning of the end of slavery in England.While abolition was a giant step for h uman rights in England, Franklin and the other colonists viewed the ban on slavery as contempt toward America. The end result was an increase in revolts among American-owned slaves. Franklin finally stepped in after the British downplayed America’s call for human rights. The British labeled the Americans hypocritical for preaching human rights while many of their leaders still owned slaves. Franklin responded publicly by mocking England’s so-called attempt toward abolition.Franklin pointed out that freeing one slave, yet still permitted the Slave Trade is also hypocritical. After the war, Franklin led by example, freeing both of his slaves. In 1787, Franklin accepted the presidency of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. As outspoken as he was on the issue of slavery, Franklin understood the dangers of premature abolition. â€Å"‘Slavery is such as atrocious debasement of human nature that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of serious evils,’ Franklin wrote in a November 1789 address to the public from the society.† Franklin still fought for the abolition of slavery. He also took special precaution by establishing a twenty-four-person committee divided into the following subcommittees: â€Å"Committee of Inspection, who shall superintend the morals, general conduct, and ordinary situation of the free Negroes, and afford them advice an instruction. Committee of Guardians, who shall place out children and young people with suitable persons, that they may (during a moderate time of apprenticeship or servitude) learn some trade or other business.Committee of Education, who shall superintend the school instruction of the children and youth of the free blacks. They may either influence them to attend regularly the schools already established in this city, or form others with this view. Committee of Employ, who shad endeavor to procure constant employment for those free Negroes wh o are able to work; as the want of this would occasion poverty, idleness, and many vicious habits. † Franklin’s petitions for abolition were strongly denounced, especially in the South.Still, Franklin dedicated the latter part of his life to anti-slavery lobbying in the form of essays and actions. Franklin is best known for his involvement in the American Revolution and subsequent drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Ironically, it was Franklin, a plain-clothes politician who never stepped foot on the battleground, that made as lasting an impression as any on the American Revolution. â€Å"Franklin had been instrumental in shaping the three great documents of the war: the Declaration of Independence, the alliance with France, and the treaty with England.† Franklin used the pen instead of the sword to fight for his country. Franklin was unanimously chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, which was to meet amidst the battles of the American Revolution. Franklin would prove quite useful in the Continental Congress. â€Å"In the Congress, Benjamin Franklin accepted every duty thrust upon him. After all, he had more experience, more intimate knowledge of British intentions and wiles, more accumulated wisdom than most of the other delegates. † Ironically, Franklin never made a Congressional speech.He left that to the orators. Instead, Franklin stuck to his strong points of organizing, writing and committee regulation. At the time, he was a silent leader in Congress. But history writes him in a different, more honorable light. Today, Franklin is perhaps best known for his patriotism and dedication to the advancement of his homeland during the American Revolution. Temperance was a virtue that made Franklin’s list of Puritan ideals to live by. He practiced temperance, along with humility, chastity and the other virtues in his personal and professional life.Franklin was diligent in his beliefs, but fortunately f or his fellow patriots and the future of our country, Franklin knew when to shift hears. In his autobiography, Franklin published the following letter written to his British companion, William Strahan, on July 5, 1755: â€Å"Mr. Strahan, You are a member of Parliament, and one of that majority which has doomed my country to destruction. You have begun to burn our towns, and murder our people. Look upon your hands! They are stained with the blood of your relations!You and I were long friends: You are now my enemy, and I am, Yours, B Franklin† It should be noted that Franklin never sent the letter to his companion, William Strahan. The letter was, however, used to rile up his fellow American patriots during the early part of the American Revolution. The war had begun; the war to end all wars, according to Franklin’s beliefs. The British had become domineering and inhumane toward Americans. It was time, according to Franklin, to stand our country’s ground.â€Å"It was a true old saying that make yourself sheep and the wolves will eat you: to which I may add another, God help them that help themselves. † Friendship and pacifism were put on hold starting April 19, 175 at Lexington and Concord, the first battle of the American Revolution. The battles would not cease until July 4, 1776 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. â€Å"This is the greatest revolution the world has ever seen,† Franklin wrote in his autobiography. Attacks and counterattacks plagued these two countries for over two years.Franklin, his mind leveled upon the cease-fire, understood the severity of such conflict. â€Å"The extreme cruelty with which we were treated extinguish’d every thought of returning to [England], and separated us forever. England thereby lost limbs that will never grow again. We too suffered greatly, but our losses would soon be repair’d by our good government, our industry, and the fertility of our country. â₠¬  In hindsight, we can acknowledge the progress made by both countries in the years following the American Revolution. Nothing stands out as much as liberty and justice for all.The Benjamin Franklin legacy exists worldwide, but it is especially strong in Franklin’s homeland, the United States of America. Many of his inventions, including the lightning rod, bifocal glasses and the flexible urinary catheter, are used daily in modern American society. His aphorisms of civic duty and personal virtue are instilled in modern American thought. A positive image of Benjamin Franklin exists in the hearts and minds of most Americans. It is safe to say, however, that Franklin’s most noticeable legacy is his monetary investment in the United States of America.Franklin donated ? 1,000 each to the cities of Boston and Philadelphia. Rather than being put to immediate use, Franklin requested that the funds be invested in a trust to gather interest for 200 years. The trust resulted fr om a parody of Poor Richard’s Almanack written in 1785 by Charles-Joseph Mathon de la Cour called Fortunate Richard. Mocking the spirit of American optimism, the story told of Fortunate Richard’s small donation to the United States of America only to be used after a 500-year investment.Franklin was able to put a positive spin on the parody by accepting the Frenchman’s arrangement in a literal sense. Franklin donated ? 1,000 to his native cities, Boston and Philadelphia, with instructions to invest for 200 years. The trusts grew beyond the million-dollar-mark before the investments came due. The money has predominantly been spent on mortgage loans and scholarships. A portion of Boston’s trust was used to establish a trade school that became the Franklin Institute of Boston. Although Franklin was a man of many talents, he was not a man of many faces.The most noteworthy aspect of Franklin’s life is that he compromised little to none of his values when shifting duties. Be it the transition from personal to political or political to scientific, Franklin carried his Puritan ideals throughout his life and career. It can be seen in his diplomacy during the American Revolution, the abolition movement after the war, and his lasting contributions to American society. Franklin rarely saw a dichotomy between personal beliefs and public persona. Franklin was quoted as saying, â€Å"fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal.† Franklin surely was not fearful; not during his tenure as a politician, or an inventor, or a family-man. Americans are fortunate to have been preceded by such a dedicated man. His patriotism and promise shine all the way through to modern society. ? BIBLIOGRAPHY Aldridge, Alfred Owen. Benjamin Franklin: Philosopher and Man. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1965. Ben Franklin Institute of Technology. http://www. bfit. edu. Gaustad, Edwin. Benjamin Franklin. Oxford: Oxford Unive rsity Press, 2006. Independence Hall Association of Philadelphia.http://www. ushistory. org. Isaacson, Walter. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003. Jennings, Francis. Benjamin Franklin: Politician. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1996. Medicolegal. http://medicolegal. tripod. com. New York Times. http://query. nytimes. com. Skousen, Mark. The Completed Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin. Washington DC: Regnery Publishing, 2006. Virtual Library. http://www. vlib. us. Wikipedia. http://www. wikipedia. org. Wright, Esmond. Franklin of Philadelphia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1986.

Career Service

Allyssa Snyder Career services 9 am class 1-9-13 Employability skills in an office My paper is going to be focused on the topic how will you use employability skills and in your career. Employability skills are very important in my career because you are around people all the time. If you didn’t have communication in a dental office you wouldn’t get anything done if you didn’t have teamwork in an office you would have to pay more people to do it individually if you don’t solve problems the there will always be problems in the office.Initiative in an office is important so that people can get tasks done faster and shows responsibility and politics. Planning and organization is also needed in an office so that you can schedule appointments and organize where the supplies and office equipment goes in the office. Self-management is how you keep yourself on time, responsible, and in self-control essay writer premium 3d. Learning in an office is important becaus e you learn new things and new techniques and you are never too old to learn new things.Technology is very important and office because you have you are growing every year and you need to keep up with the new technology and office. Communication in an office is important, between the boss and their employees, between the employees and the patient’s. The communication between the boss and their employees is important so that they know what to do in the office and how you want things were on. The communication between the employee and the patient is important so they know what’s wrong what they need. It is also important during scheduling.When you are working in an office you should also be a people person, you don’t want to have a negative attitude around patients. If you have a bad attitude when you are around patients they won’t want back to your office. That is why I think communication is important in an office. Teamwork in an office is common between the dental assistant and the dentist. If there wasn’t teamwork in the office there would be no dental assistants and the dentist would be working alone. It would take longer for the patient to be seen and also the octor would be tired by the end of the day. The dental assistant and dentist work together to examine the patient, do procedures on the patient. The dental assistant handles the paper work and scheduling for the doctor. Problem solving is an important skill to have, when you’re in an office and something happens you have to know how to handle is calmly, quietly and quickly. You don’t want the office to find out what happened and they worry what’s going on. When there is a problem with the insurance company that is when communication skills come in. ou have to know how to talk to them to resolve the problem. If there is a problem with the doctor then you have to remain calm when you talk to him and you have to know how to ask questions and listen to what they say. That’s why problem solving is important in a dental office. Organization and planning is useful in an office. When you are organized you know where things are in the office. You wouldn’t have a problem knowing where charts are, supplies and equipment is. Planning is useful in a office so that you know what the schedule is for the day and what the doctor is doing.Without those two skills the office would be very chaotic. You would not know where anything was or when appointments are. That’s why organization and planning is useful in an office. Self-management is when you are responsible for yourself and you go to work on time, do what your suppose to and take on new commitment. If you don’t make it to work on time or do not show up then the office would be short handed and you would of left then in a tight spot with less employees to see the patients for the day.If you don’t do what your suppose to then that means someone else has to do it, and that is not fair. That’s what you need to have good self- management skills or you would will not make it far in life. There are new techniques and technology that you have to learn. The technology is important so that you can know how to schedule appointment, know how to do the charting and most important emails and phone calls so that you can keep in touch with the employees and the patients.All these skills are important so that you can have a successful career in anything you do. All my examples are in the dental field because that’s the field I am going into. The three most important to my success is communication, so you can ask questions. Team work, not all the stress is not me if we work as a team. The last skill that is important to me is learning, so I know what the office is doing, what technology and also what techniques the doctor uses.