Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Observation : Advantages and Disadvantages

observation method

What is observation?

Observation is way of gathering data by watching behavior, events, or noting physical characteristics in their natural setting. Observations can be overt (everyone knows they are being observed) or covert (no one knows they are being observed and the observer is concealed). The benefit of covert observation is that people are more likely to behave naturally if they do not know they are being observed. However, you will typically need to conduct overt observations because of ethical problems related to concealing your observation.

Observations can also be either direct or indirect. Direct observation is when you watch interactions, processes, or behaviors as they occur; for example, observing a teacher teachinga lesson from a written curriculum to determine whether they are delivering it with fidelity. Indirect observations are when you watch the results of interactions, processes, or behaviors; for example, measuring the amount of plate waste left by students in a school cafeteria to determine whether a new food is acceptable to them.
newton

What are the advantages of observation?


 >>  Collect data where and when an event or activity

       is occurring.
>>  Does not rely on people’s willingness or ability
      to provide information.
>> Allows you to directly see what people do rather
      than relying on what people say they did.

What are the disadvantages of observation?

 >>  Susceptible to observer bias.
 >>  Susceptible to the “hawthorne effect,” that is,
       people usually perform better when they know
       they are being observed, although indirect
       observation may decrease this problem.
 >>  Can be expensive and time-consuming compared
        to other data collection methods.
 >>  Does not increase your understanding of why
        people behave as they do.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Solar System

planets in solar system

Solar System

The Solar System comprises the Sun and its planetary system of eight planets, their moons, and other non-stellar objects. It formed 4.6 billion years ago from the gravitational collapse of a giant molecular cloud. The vast majority of the system's mass is in the Sun, with most of the remaining mass contained in Jupiter. The four smaller inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, also called the terrestrial planets, are primarily composed of rock and metal. The four outer planets, called the gas giants, are substantially more massive than the terrestrials. The two largest, Jupiter and Saturn, are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium; the two outermost planets, Uranus and Neptune, are composed largely of substances with relatively high melting points (compared with hydrogen and helium), called ices, such as water, ammonia and methane, and are often referred to separately as "ice giants". All planets have almost circular orbits that lie within a nearly flat disc called the ecliptic plane.
The Solar System also contains a number of regions populated by smaller objects.The asteroid belt, which lies between Mars and Jupiter, is similar to the terrestrial planets as it mostly contains objects composed of rock and metal. Beyond Neptune's orbit lie the Kuiper belt and scattered disc, linked populations of trans-Neptunian objects composed mostly of ices. Within these populations are several dozen to more than ten thousand objects that may be large enough to have been rounded by their own gravity. Such objects are referred to as dwarf planets. Identified dwarf planets include the asteroid Ceres and the trans-Neptunian objects Pluto, Eris , Haumea, and Makemake. In addition to these two regions, various other small-body populations includingcomets, centaurs and interplanetary dust freely travel between regions. Six of the planets, at least three of the dwarf planets, and many of the smaller bodies are orbited by natural satellites, usually termed "moons" after Earth's Moon. Each of the outer planets is encircled by planetary rings of dust and other small objects.
The solar wind, a flow of plasma from the Sun, creates a bubble in the interstellar medium known as the heliosphere, which extends out to the edge of the scattered disc. The Oort cloud, which is believed to be the source for long-period comets, may also exist at a distance roughly a thousand times further than the heliosphere. The heliopause is the point at which pressure from the solar wind is equal to the opposing pressure of interstellar wind. The Solar System is located within one of the outer arms of the Milky Way galaxy, which contains about 200 billion stars.

source : wikipedia

Monday, November 4, 2013

Ecosystem : Meaning and Definition

ecosystem

Ecosystem

        The term ecosystem was first used by A. G. Tansley in 1935 who defined ecosystem as 'a particular category of physical systems, consisting of organisms and inorganic components in a relatively stable equilibrium, open and of various sizes and kinds'.
       An Ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water, mineral soil), interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are regarded as linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. As ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment, they can be of any size but usually encompass specific limited spaces (although some scientists say that the entire planet is an ecosystem)-From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem

        According to Tansley the ecosystem is comprised of two major parts viz. biome and habitat and thus 'all parts of such an ecosystem-organic and inorganic, biome and habitat may be regarded as interacting factors which, in a mature ecosystem, are in approximate equilibrium, it is through their interactions that the whole system is maintained'-                                                                                                                 (A. G. Tansley, 1935)
        F. R. Fosberg (1963) has defined ecosystem as 'a functioning, interacting system composed of one or more living organisms and their effective environment, both physical and biological'.
        According to R. L. Lindeman (1942) the term ecosystem applies to 'any system composed of physical-chemical-biological processes, within a space-time unit of any magnitude'.
        According to A. N. Strahler and A. H. Strahler (1976), 'the total assemblage of components interacting with group of organisms is known as ecological system or more simply, an ecosystem. Ecosystems have inputs of matter and energy, used to build biological structure, to produce and to maintain necessary internal energy levels. matter and energy are also exported from an ecosystem. an ecosystem tends to achieve a balance of the various processes and activities within it'.

Based on the contents of above definitions of ecosystem provided by various scientists it may be pointed out that ' ecosystems are therefore unities of organisms connected to one another and to their environment'.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Ecology : Meaning and Definitions

ecology definition

Ecology meaning
Ecology in a very simple term. The word ‘ecology’ (‘oecology’ or ‘oekology’) derived from two greek words, ‘oikos’ meaning house or dwelling as habitat and ‘logos’ meaning the study of.


Ecology definitions
The term ‘ecology’ was first coined and used by the German biologist, Ernst Haeckel in 1869, a few conceptual terms were already proposed to reveal relationships between organisms and their environment. ecology is a science that studies the interdependent, mutually reactive and interconnected relationships between the organisms and their physical environment on the one hand and among the organisms on the other hands.
For Example, French zoologist, Isodore geoffroy St. Hilaire used the term ecology in 1859, for the study of the relations of the organisms within the family and society in the aggregate and in the community.


It may be summarized that : ecology is a science that studies interrelationships between biotic and abiotic components  of a natural ecosystem of one hand and among organisms on the other hand.



Reference:
  • S. Singh, Environmental Geography

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Dulhazra Safari Park( Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park) - Bangladesh

Dulahazra Safari Park

Figure : Map of Dulahazra Safari Park
Location: Chakaria, Dulahazra Union,Cox’s Bazar

Climate:   The climate is subtropical in nature. The average annual rainfall is 3599 mm, hottest month is October, coldest month is January, driest month is December, wettest month is July, average maximum temperature is 34.20C and average minimum temperature is 15.60C .

How to get there
It takes 2.5 hours from Chittagong.
From Cox’s Bazar you can reach Chakaria by Bus/ Microbus or Chander Gari ( One kind of Jeep).

Where to stay
After visiting this park you have to come back to Cox’s Bazar.There are many hotels and restaurant you can find in Cox’s Bazar to stay and fooding.

Entry Permits/Fees
Adults:                                                             BDT 20
Students(Below 15 years):                                   BDT 10
Student group( 30 to 100 persons):                BDT 200
Student group( More than 100 persons):       BDT 400
Foreigner :                                                      BDT 350/ USD 5    
Visit by safari bus :                                         BDT 20

Parking fee:
Bus:                                                                    BDT 100
Car/Microbus:                                                     BDT 50

Opening time
9.00 AM

Closing time
5.00 PM


safari park
Figure 2 :We are in safari park (GES 1st year field work team)
Bangladesh is a diverse country that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Tourists flock to the country to experience its unique culture, meet its friendly locals and enjoy the magnificence of the country’s wildlife. Many reserves and conservation projects have been established in Bangladesh to protect its rare wildlife and bird populations, and one such breathtaking eco-tourism initiative is the Dulahazra Safari Park.
Dulahazara Safari Park was established in 1996.This is the only  safari park in Bangladesh, situated 107 km south of Chittagong City under Chakaria Upazila of Cox’sBazar District. Dulahazra Safari Park was developed on an undulating landscape of around 2,224 acres of area at Chakaria Upazila in Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh, some 50 km away from the cox'sbazar, with an objective to create facilities for Eco-tourism, research work and entertainment aside from conserving wild animals in a natural environment. Dulahazra Park is home to at least 4,000 animals of 165 species. There are several attractions inside the park. After entering the park, you'll find the orchid collections at right, and a museum at the left side, both are equally attractive. You can travel inside the park by transport system of the park or by feet. Attractive animals include Lions, Bengal Tigers, Crocodiles, Bears, Chitals and lots of different types of birds and monkeys. There has a watch tower from top of which you’ll enjoy the vast ocean of green plants.
Many individuals also 'donated' some of the animals to the park . The seized and donated animals recently sent to the park include 90 spotted deer (chital), 42 barking deer (maya, a species of muntjac deer), three sambar deer, one freshwater crocodile, one saltwater crocodile, nine black bear, four pythons, 17 peacocks, 19 Turkish pheasants and two emus. Other source of animal includes the Dhaka Zoo. While the animal population in Dhaka zoo has increased over the years due to their breeding, the Dhaka zoo donates a number of lions and tigers to the Dulhazra Safari Park. Visitor Attractions: The park itself protects a large number of wild elephants which are native to the area. In the safari park there are domesticated elephants which are available for a ride. Other animal attractions include lions, Bengal tigers, Crocodiles, Bears, Chitals and lots of different types of birds and monkeys. Since the park was made open to the public, it has been drawing a huge crowd all year round — 6,000 visitors daily during peak season.


monkey in safari park
Figure 3: monkeys in safari park

Dulahazra Safari Park is absolutely located for visitors to take pleasure in day trips out to this amazing conservation area. The park has got concentration as a recreation spot for universal mass of the people and for the biologists. It is one of the learning spots as well. The place has now become a Safari Park and a Zoo. Now a days, if any wild animal is unlawfully or unintentionally caught anywhere of the country, is being transported and placed in this area. Large number of people visits Safari Park because of its magnificent natural scenic beauty and attractive undulated landscape with green coverage. Hills and water bodies are interwoven with each other. It is also recognized for its ecological importance, and scientific, aesthetic and recreational values. The forest of Dulahazara range sustains subtropical evergreen and semi evergreen trees and wildlife. This area is important feeding ground of wild elephants because the herd of wild elephants often visits this area and damages public property.
Dulahazra Safari Park project got underway Between the years 1998 and 1999, occupying only a little piece of land, which has now mature to over two thousand acres of sheltered land. The government began to play an dynamic role in the improvement of the park in 2007, ensuring that unlawfully owned animals was held and taken to the park, with many of the animals also being donated by their owners. This has allowed the park’s population to grow to nearly four thousand animals, providing visitors with 165 species to marvel at. The variety of animals that have been seized and donated is astounding, with the park taking in saltwater crocodiles, black bears, barking deer, spotted deer, pythons, emus, freshwater crocodiles, peacocks and pheasants. All the animals have been given huge areas to roam freely, with lush forests and brush for their habitats. Some animals are kept at a distance from visitors for safety reasons. The Dhaka Zoo has also assisted in growing the number of animals in Dulahazra Safari Park through their reproduction program, enabling visitors to view other wildlife such as monkeys, lions, parrots, horses, giraffes, tigers, elephants, lizards, zebras and frogs. Some of the elephants at the park are domesticated, and visitors are able to interact with them.


Visitors can be driven through the Dulahazra Safari Park by jeep to explore the extraordinary wildlife, and there is a specially constructed tower for tourists where they are able to look out over the park and view numerous animals. It is really the ideal attraction for a family outing, as it is also a research centre that focuses on conserving the environment as well as educating the public.


Objectives
With the major goal of serving the national need of biodiversity conservation education, research, recreation and in-situ  and  ex-situ  conservation of the  threatened, extinct and endangered animals. The park was established in 1998 with following objectives :-
Conservation and breeding of the extinct and endangered wild animal species. in the park as ex-situ condition.
To provide assistance for in-situ conservation of critically endangered wildlife through out the country.
Development of rescue center and veterinary hospital to provide assistance to injured wildlife in the country.
Development of the Nature Interpretation Center with light and sound model for creation of conservation awareness among the public.
To bring large water body for migratory birds under scientific management.
Establishment of aviary for extinct, rare endangered species of bird.
Establishment of a Natural History Museum for plants and animals endemic to the area.



Friday, November 1, 2013

Weathering ?

weathering definition
weathering


what is Weathering ?

Weathering is a static process. The process of disintegration and decomposition of rocks in situ is generally called weathering.

weathering definition

Weathering refers to the breakdown or disintegration and decomposition of rocks in situ through mechanical and chemical changes in the rocks  and their minerals effected by water, temperature, wind, different atmospheric gases and organisms provided that there is no large-scale transport of weathered products by denudational processes except massmovement of rockwastes down the slope under the impact of gravity.

According to C.D. Ollier (1969), “weathering is the breakdown and alteration of minerals near the earth’s surface to products that are more in equilibrium with newly imposed physico-chemical conditions”
According to P. Reiche (1950), “weathering is the response of minerals which were in equilibrium within the lithosphere to conditions at or near its contact with the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and perhaps still more importantly ,the biosphere.”
B. B. Polynov(1937), has very precisely defined weathering as ‘the change of rocks from the massive to the clastic state.’
According to B. W. Sparks, “weathering may be defined as the mechanical fracturing or chemical decomposition of rocks by natural agents at the surface of the earth”

Arthur Holmes has presented more elaborate definition of weathering which also includes the processes of weathering.According to him “ weathering is the total effect of all the various subaerial processes that cooperate in bringing about the decay and disintegration of rocks, provided that no large-scale transport of the loosened products is involved. the work of rainwash and  wind, which is essentially erosional, is thus excluded”
-A. Homes (1952)


It appears from the above definitions that weathering is essentially the breakdown of rocks due to chemical and mechanical processes at their places.




Tuesday, October 29, 2013

What is environment ?


environment

Meaning Of Environment



The word environment’ has been derived from the French word ‘environer’ meaning to encircle or to surround. The Dictionary meaning of the word ‘environment’ is a ‘surrounding’ ; external conditions influencing development or growth of people, animals or plants; living or working conditions etc.

definition


Environment may refer to the physical and biological factors along with their chemical interactions that affect an organism.
Primarily,the concern of all geographers is with the environment of man. But man cannot exist or be understood in isolation from the other forms of life and from plant life’
-(A.N. Strahler and A.H. Strahler,1976, p.4)
Environment refers to the sum total of conditions which surround man at a given point in space and time’
-(C.c. Park,1980, p.28)
Environment is defined more comprehensively by others “as a holistic view of the world as it functions at any point of time, with a multitude of spatial elemental and socio-economic systems distinguished by quality and attributes of space and mode of behaviour of abiotic and biotic forms’ -(K. R. Dikhshit, 1984)

Thus environment is defined as ‘(1)The circumstances and conditions (physical conditions) that surround (and affect) an organism or group of organisms , or  (2) the social and cultural conditions that affect an individual or community.Since human inhabit the natural world as well as the ‘built’ or technological, social and cultural world, all constitute parts of our environment’
-(W. P. cunnigham and M.A. Cunnigham, 2004)

 

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