Vascular Epiphytes of Far North Queensland :: Botany Plants Nature Essays

Vascular Epiphytes of Far North Queensland There are several definitions of epiphytic plants, each with a subtle difference. Heywood (1993) states that an epiphyte is, "A plant that grows on the surface of another, without deriving food from its host". Raven (1992) states that an epiphyte is, "a plant that grows on another plant, but is not parasitic on it." Basically, a plant that derives its physical support from another plant (host = phorophyte (Luttge 1989)) is an epiphyte. Epiphytes fill important ecological niches in variety of habitats. Epiphytic species can exist as 50% of the tree leaf mass and make up 30% to 50% of vascular plant diversity in tropical forests (Benzing 1990). It is thought that the epiphytic diversity in tropical forests allows an increased fauna diversity. Epiphytic species, while not agronomically important, play intricate roles in ecology. HISTORY Columbus wrote the first known documentation of an epiphytic species. Martinus de la Cruz, an Aztec Indian physician, illustrated the first epiphyte (an orchid) in the Badianus Manuscript in 1552. Trade around the world by the 1770's included many exotic and tropical plants with epiphytic species among them. Orchids, ferns and others were valued by decorators and collectors (Benzing 1990). Scientific interest did not keep pace with trade interest. The scientific study of epiphytes has not been extensive when compared to the study of plants with other specializations, ie. carnivory. Within recent years, due to increased interest in rainforest preservation, an increase in epiphytic study and resulting literature has occurred. EVOLUTION Epiphytes have evolved to take advantage of resources not widely available to other plants. Epiphytes have evolved a variety of morphological and physiological differences to deal with difficulty in mineral absorption, photosynthesis, propagation, water acquisition and water retention. There are two basic theories on the evolution of epiphytes. The first theory indicates that epiphytes may have been shade adapted plants, struggling for light that moved into the canopy. The second theory suggests that plants preadapted to high sun exposure moved from dry savannahs and steppes into the canopy (Luttge 1989). The fossil record does not provide any support for either theory mentioned above. Plant and pollen fossils thought to belong to current day plant families containing epiphytes, can't be labeled epiphytic because the ancient habitats of the plants can't be readily observed. Other research has proposed that epiphytic diversity arose from the Pleistocene / Pliocene ages (roughly 1.

English Essay on the Short Story “The Island”

English essay on the short story† The Island† We all know the word Freedom, but do we truly know what it means? It’s a good word which explains: No commitments, no chains, no concerns and no insecurity. The Scottish short story ‘The Island’ is an expression for this freedom and to indulge you to something bigger than yourself. It could be God or in this case, it is the beautiful nature. This short story is published in 1992 and the author is unknown. The main character is Doris (last name unknown), she has a son, named John who is married with Annette, and is Doris’ daughter-in-law.We can estimate Doris to be 50-60 years old, if we figure her son, John’s age and his status as a married man. Doris’ relationship with the young couple is difficult, because she is an outsider, she is old, and they are young, both John and his wife Annette. â€Å"When Doris visited, Annette never found her jobs, or asked favours. If there were children , it might be different, but in her heart Doris doubted it. †(p. 1, ll. 11-12). According to this line, we easily get to know what Doris experience is with Annette. And we get to know that Doris want to involve herself more in the young couple’s life. She had half hoped that John, at least, would say he really wanted her to come. But no. Certainly her daughter-in-law did not need her. â€Å"(p. 1, ll. 8-9). And it comes to express, that Doris also not want to be alone, not needed. John and Annette, mostly Annette, tread Doris like a child. â€Å"They saw several more beaches that Doris wanted to explore on foot, but she was imprisoned in the back seat. †(p. 1, ll. 34-35). And they, John and Annette keep saying that Doris needs to relax and take it easy. The Island we are on is called Tiree. Tiree is an island off the west coast of Scotland.As long as Doris stays on the island, she becomes freer. First of all, she meets an elderly man, carrying fish in a basket o n the beach. They small-talk, and she looks at the nature around her and the man. † Standing here she felt that her house in the busy Anchusa Road belonged in another world. †(p. 2, ll. 48-49). I can imagine this feeling Doris feels, because I had stood in a directly situation like her. The busy world is far from you, and you are flying. You have no concerns about anything, you’re not bound to anything and you’re feeling like you’re flying.It is an inexpressible moment. And it gives you the taste of freedom. That’s why we, in the end of this short story, hear that Doris want to live on the island. And after this boost of freedom, she sees an otter. †She breathes a sigh of pleasure. †(p. 2, l. 53). After this experience John and Annette observe, that Doris becomes very obstinate. In the short story it sounds like, John and Annette are forced to live with Doris, because else where they can’t get her house, after she dies of co urse. The nature has a big role in this short story. Feature Article –  The Plane of the Sleeping Beauty AnalysisBecause it helps Doris to see the freedom, and to be free. We can see in different sections that the nature has an effect at Doris: The next morning it was raining but Doris went out all the same. A mist had come in from the sea and every blade of grass was hung with silver droplets. It was, to Doris, even more beautiful than the day before. She found a patch with creamy mushrooms. She picked one, peeled off the delicate skin and ate it. †(p. 2, ll. 65- 68). According to these lines, we can tell, that the nature has a big influence on Doris. I think she never tried to eat a mushroom, uncooked.And we can tell, because she lives in the city, she had too much influence from it, and that shows us, people like Annette and John. And that’s why they flip out in the end of the short story, because they hear Doris wild idea to sell the house in Anchusa Road, and move to the island:† †You’ll do no such thing. † Annette was startled into open bad manners. †(p. 3, l. 116). This clearly shows us, what kind of people they are too, compared to Doris, especially Annette. We can conclude the short story ‘The Island’ as a released giving story to people without freedom and to those people who is still in chains, and can’t get out.The short story shows a lot of things, we can categorize as the themes of this short story. Freedom, relationships in the family and identity, but the most important of these themes is freedom. Over and over again, we can reed trough the lines, that Doris doesn’t has it, and wants it, and the only thing, in her case, who can give it to her, is the nature. Therefore the nature plays a big role in this short story, and we know it from our own lives. The nature gives and shows us, the humans, freedom.

Queensland, Australia Geography

Population: 4,516,361 (June 2010 estimate)Capital: BrisbaneBordering States: Northern Territory, South Australia, New South WalesLand Area: 668,207 square miles (1,730,648 sq km)Highest Point: Mount Bartle Frere at 5,321 feet (1,622 m)Queensland is a state located in the northeastern part of Australia. It is one of the countrys six states and it is the second largest in area behind Western Australia. Queensland is bordered by Australias Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales and has coastlines along the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the Tropic of Capricorn crosses through the state. The capital of Queensland is Brisbane. Queensland is most well-known for its warm climate, varying landscapes and coastline and as such, it is one of the most popular tourist areas in Australia.Most recently, Queensland has been in the news due to severe flooding that occurred in early January 2011 and late 2010. The presence of La Nià ±a is said to have been the cause of the flooding. According to CNN, the 2010 spring was Australias wettest in history. The flooding impacted hundreds of thousands of people all over the state. The central and southern parts of the state, including Brisbane, were hit the hardest.The following is a list of ten more geographic facts about Queensland:1) Queensland, like much of Australia has a long history. It is believed that the region making up the state today was originally settled by native Australians or Torres Strait Islanders between 40,000 and 65,000 years ago.2) The first Europeans to explore Queensland were Dutch, Portuguese and French navigators and in 1770, Captain James Cook explorer the region. In 1859, Queensland became a self governing colony after splitting from New South Wales and in 1901, it became an Australian state.3) For much of its history, Queensland was one of the fastest growing states in Australia. Today Queensland has a population of 4,516,361 (as of July 2010). Due to its large land area, t he state has a low population density with about 6.7 people per square mile (2.6 people per square kilometer). In addition, less than 50% of Queenslands population lives in its capital and largest city, Brisbane.4) Queenslands government is part of a constitutional monarchy and as such it has a Governor who is appointed by Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor of Queensland has executive power over the state and is responsible for representing the state to the Queen. In addition the Governor appoints the Premier who serves as the head of government for the state. Queenslands legislative branch is made up of the unicameral Queensland Parliament, while the states judicial system is composed of the Supreme Court and the District Court.5) Queensland has a growing economy that is based mainly on tourism, mining and agriculture. The main agricultural products from the state are bananas, pineapples and peanuts and the processing of these as well as other fruits and vegetables make up a sizeable portion of Queenslands economy.6) Tourism is also a major part of Queenslands economy because of its cities, varied landscapes and coastline. In addition, the 1,600 mile (2,600 km) Great Barrier Reef is located off of Queenslands coast. Other tourist destinations in the state include the Gold Coast, Fraser Island and the Sunshine Coast.7) Queensland covers an area of 668,207 square miles (1,730,648 sq km) and it part of it extends to be the northernmost part of Australia (map). This area, which also includes several islands, is about 22.5% of the total area of the Australian continent. Queensland shares land borders with the Northern Territory, New South Wales and South Australia and much of its coastline is along the Coral Sea. The state is also divided into nine different regions (map).8) Queensland has a varied topography that consists of islands, mountain ranges and coastal plains. Its largest island is Fraser Island with an area of 710 square miles (1,840 sq km). Fraser Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has many different ecosystems which include rainforests, mangrove forests and areas of sand dunes. Eastern Queensland is mountainous as the Great Dividing Range runs through this area. The highest point in Queensland is Mount Bartle Frere at 5,321 feet (1,622 m).9) In addition to Fraser Island, Queensland has a number of other areas that are protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. Queensland also has 226 national parks and three state marine parks.10) The climate of Queensland varies throughout the state but generally inland there are hot, dry summers and mild winters, while the coastal areas have warm, temperate weather year round. The coastal regions are also the wettest areas in Queensland. The states capital and largest city, Brisbane, which is located on the coast has an average July low temperature of 50ËšF (10ËšC) and an average January high temperature of 86ËšF (30ËšC).To learn more about Queensland, visit the states official website.ReferencesMiller, Brandon. (5 January 2011). Flooding in Australia Fueled by Cyclone, La Nina. CNN. Retrieved from: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/04/australia.flooding.cause/index.htmlWikipedia.org. (13 January 2011). Queensland - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QueenslandWikipedia.org. (11 January 2011). Geography of Queensland - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Queensland