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Home » CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY » BIODIVERSITY: WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
BIODIVERSITY: WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
May 31, 2018 Comments Off on BIODIVERSITY: WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
Biodiversity – or biological diversity – is the variety of life found on our planet. While that may sound simple, it is in fact one of Earth's most complex features. Biodiversity is a key indicator of an ecosystem's health; high biodiversity means a wide variety of species, which will cope better with threats than a more limited number. This is particularly important in today's climate, given the increasing factors that are threatening our plants and animals. Biodiversity ensures natural sustainability and can be considered a library of how to survive. Years and years of evolution have taken place within species as they learn to cope with disasters such as disease and changing environmental conditions. The benefits we stand to gain from this knowledge are priceless, yet we are losing species and the important properties they provide at an increasingly worrying pace. An estimated 1.7 million species of animal, plant and fungi have been recorded so far, but estimates suggest that there could be somewhere between 8 million to 100 million yet to be discovered.
Biodiversity can be measured using many different methods. Species diversity, the number of different species found in an area, for example, shows variation and means that there are many roles being carried out – from butterflies and bats pollinating the flowers to the predators keeping rodent population numbers in check. Biodiversity is also measured through genetic diversity; the genetic differences between plants or animals of the same species, which improves the chances of surviving disease outbreaks without risking extinction.
Another measure of biodiversity is endemism. Endemic species are plants or animals that are only found in a certain area or country. In Malawi, one such species that has been identified and is heavily monitored is the Mulanje Cedar, an endemic Malawian species which occurs naturally only on Mulanje Mountain. Due to illegal logging, the species is critically endangered. The country also boasts Lake Malawi, one of the most biodiverse lakes in the world where around 15 percent of the world's freshwater species are found. Lake Malawi is home to over 800 species of fish, 90 percent of which are endemic. Additionally, it is estimated that approximately 47 species of the 172 species of molluscs, 12 species of reptiles and about seven species of amphibians are endemic to Malawi. These statistics show that Malawi has unique biodiversity, which is important to maintain not only for the country but for global biodiversity levels as a whole.
Why are we losing biodiversity?
The world is undergoing the greatest mass extinction since the dinosaurs were wiped out 65 million year ago. In the last 100 years, around 50 percent of our planet's species have gone extinct. Biodiversity is under threat from many factors and is decreasing so rapidly that we may well be losing species before we've even discovered them. Despite the fact that humans make up a tiny 0.01% of all life on the planet, we have destroyed 83% of wild animals and half of all plants. A major issue is habitat loss; almost half of the world's surface is agricultural land used to grow crops or raise livestock. This land is notoriously low in biodiversity due to only a select few species being used on farms. A field of corn is drastically lower in species than a similarly sized area of woodland. Our forests are also suffering, as trees are being cleared to make way for fields and farms, commercial harvesting, or to be used for firewood. Malawi relies heavily on wood for wellbeing and livelihoods and, despite its small size, has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world – and the highest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This highlights the urgency for sustainable action plans to be put into place. Deforestation also has an impact on the animals that once depended on the forests. They are left to migrate to untouched areas of wilderness or to try and adapt to living in farmland – a choice which can result in them being killed.
Introduced species that are not native to the area, and have been brought there by people or as a result of globalisation and transport across the world, can also cause an issue. Approximately 400,000 introduced species out-compete native species for food and territory, resulting in the populations of native species to decline. In Malawi, the Nile tilapia was introduced to Lake Malawi for fishing purposes, however it has become a competitor and predator of native species and has been the cause of a loss in fish biodiversity globally. Water hyacinth, another introduced species, has negatively affected Malawi's aquatic ecosystems by reducing water oxygen and outcompeting native plants.
Additionally, over-exploitation is also reducing biodiversity. Hunting and logging are happening at a faster rate than reproduction, meaning that species cannot keep up with replenishing their populations. It is thought that more than 300 mammal species, including 188 species of primates and all 8 species of pangolins, are being poached into extinction. Rapid population growth in Malawi has increased demand for natural resources, but a lack of sustainability has resulted in cases of overharvesting.
Other factors affecting biodiversity levels in Malawi (and indeed worldwide) include climate change and pollution. Shifts in rainfall patterns have affected the planting period, making it harder for indigenous crops to survive, and pollution run-off into rivers can result in high levels of agricultural chemicals having negative impacts on ecosystems.
Why should we be striving for biodiversity?
Nyika National Park
We rely heavily on biodiversity for a great many things and these benefits that we gain from the environment are called ecosystem services. These services are many and varied: forests provide a carbon sink and help to store the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; coastal ecosystems and barrier reefs provide storm protection and natural harbours; wetland ecosystems provide flood control and help reduce erosion. In Malawi, ecosystem services and biodiversity play a key role in attracting tourists. In 2010, fisheries, forestry and wildlife sectors contributed 12.8% towards the country's GDP. Ecosystem services also provide the country with food. It is estimated that more than 500,000 people who live near Malawi's freshwater habitats depend on fish as a source of food and livelihood.
Maintaining biodiversity in these areas will ensure employment and food security, as high diversity improves the health of the ecosystem and increases productivity. Furthermore, having a large variety of species of plants increases the number that we can use for food and industrial materials. This is particularly important for the medicine industry, with more than 60% of the world's human population relying almost entirely on plant medicine for primary health care. If biodiversity were to decrease, the plants required for this medicine may be in short supply. Malawi has over 131 plant species that are used as medicinal plants, including the Baobab fruit which has high anti-oxidant levels. Biodiversity additionally can provide models for structures that we use, such as Velcro, inspired by the hook-like properties of the burdock plant, and Olympic swimsuits, inspired by the water dynamics of shark skin.
Ecosystem services are undeniably priceless, as we would be unable to survive without them, but put their value into a figure and the services are estimated to be worth trillions of dollars – around double the world's market value of goods and services produced. In fact, biodiversity loss in Europe costs the entire continent £400m every year, with technology having to replace the lost species that were providing ecosystem services. The cost of biodiversity loss across Africa is likely to be even greater.
How can you help improve biodiversity?
Helping the environment may often seem like a difficult task for one person. While the creation of wildlife reserves and the use of sustainable farming methods that encourage diversity of crops and traditional agriculture techniques are vital, there are ways to help that can be done at a personal level. Helping pollinators such as bees and butterflies to thrive in your garden by planting insect-friendly flowers will boost the number of plants that are being pollinated. Similarly, encouraging birds into your garden will aid seed dispersal and prompt plant populations to spread.
Reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertiliser will prevent harm to other animals that aren't being targeted by the chemicals. Instead, consider natural fertiliser and organic pest control. Encourage the animals that eat the pests into your garden and let them deal with infestations. You can also cut down on meat consumption, avoid products containing palm oil, and have a go at growing your own food to reduce the demand for forests to be cleared for agricultural land. Speaking up for nature, endorsing biodiversity, and supporting charities that work towards conserving the natural world will also aid in spreading the message that biodiversity is important.
The future of the millions of species on our planet is uncertain. What is not uncertain is that humans are causing this devastating biodiversity loss – and the situation is not going to improve without our intervention.


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Q: $wp_customize get_theme_mod wpml issue I've this problem, and have been looking everywhere (amybe searching the wrong thing) for a solution with no results.
In my function.php I have the following code:
function fivelayer_customizer( $wp_customize ) {
$wp_customize->add_section(
    'fivelayer_header',
    array(
        'title' => __('Header','fivelayer'),
        'description' => __('You can the customize header of your website from here.','fivelayer'),
        'priority' => 35,
    )
);
$wp_customize->add_setting(
    'fivelayer_contact_info_top',
    array(
        'default' => '
Sacramento, CA, USA

 (326) 556-8888

 sales@5layer.com
',
    )
);
$wp_customize->add_control(
    'fivelayer_contact_info_top',
    array(
        'label' => __('Contact info','fivelayer'),
        'section' => 'fivelayer_header',
        'type' => 'textarea',
    )
);
}
add_action( 'customize_register', 'fivelayer_customizer' );

I can add a text and it's shown correctly in my header using:
<?php echo get_theme_mod( 'fivelayer_contact_info_top', '
Sacramento, CA, USA

 (329) 556-8888

 sales@5layer.com
' ); ?>

So far so good. The problem is that I can't figure out how to make this translatable by wpml string translation plugin.
I even added a wpml-config.xml file in the root folder for my theme with the following code:
<wpml-config>
<admin-texts>
<key name="theme_mods_fivelayer">
<key name="fivelayer_contact_info_top" />
</key>
</admin-texts>
</wpml-config>

with no success. I can't figure out how to make the text that the user insert appear in the list of strings to translate.
any insights?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


How long did you sit in traffic on your way home from work tonight? If you were anywhere around a Bay Area highway with the numbers 8 or 0 in it (580, 680, 880, 80), you probably saw more brake lights than you'd like.
While many drivers will give you antecdotes about traffic has been lighter in recent months and years because of the lag in the economy, a group who studies the matter as a science says while it did loosen up during the height of the recession, roads are snarled once again now that people are returning to work.
According to the Texas Transportation Institute, the average American spent 34 hours in traffic in the last study year of 2009. The Bay Area is at the top of the list and that makes our wasted hours closer to 70 hours a year. The dollar amount from all that slow driving is $115 billion annually or about $800 per driver.
And yes, the Bay Area is among the worst in the country.
"You could think of that as a congestion tax. The amount of extra time your sitting on road, the amount of extra fuel you have to buy cause you're sitting in stop and go travel," Tim Lomax with the Texas Transportation Institute said.
Congestion costs continue to rise: measured in constant 2009 dollars, the cost of congestion has risen from $24 billion in 1982 to $115 billion in 2009.
Cost to the average commuter: $808 in 2009, compared to an inflation-adjusted $351 in 1982.
Yearly peak delay for the average commuter was 34 hours in 2009, up from 14 hours in 1982.
The only good news is that as the traffic gets worse, it is a clear sign the economy is getting better.


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Pop! Bang! Boom!
Favorites of the Year
New Music - Coldplay
With two weeks left to go before releasing their sixth album ghost stories, Coldplay is already on their third single. Where previous singles midnight and Magic didn't make much of a splash, the British pop rock empresarios are looking for their first hit from this new LP.
A sky full of stars was produced by the band themselves, Avicii, and Paul Epworth. Well the song is fine enough, if you didn't know anything about it going into a first listen, you re mediately be able to tell who was involved in its creation. The song honestly does sound like a mix of Coldplay and avicii combining the lesser of versions of both of their last hit singles.
Now for any other artist we could still count that as a big hit, but right now we're talking about the biggest rock band in the world. Although, when you have Avicii producing you're singles, do you still get to call yourself a rock band?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
<?php

/** @file
* @brief
*/

if (!defined('GLPI_ROOT')) {
   die("Sorry. You can't access this file directly");
}

/// Class Reminder_User
/// @since version 0.83
class Reminder_User extends CommonDBRelation {

   // From CommonDBRelation
   static public $itemtype_1          = 'Reminder';
   static public $items_id_1          = 'reminders_id';
   static public $itemtype_2          = 'User';
   static public $items_id_2          = 'users_id';

   static public $checkItem_2_Rights  = self::DONT_CHECK_ITEM_RIGHTS;
   static public $logs_for_item_2     = false;

   /**
    * Get users for a reminder
    *
    * @param $reminders_id ID of the reminder
    *
    * @return array of users linked to a reminder
   **/
   static function getUsers($reminders_id) {
      global $DB;

      $users = array();
      $query = "SELECT `glpi_reminders_users`.*
                FROM `glpi_reminders_users`
                WHERE `reminders_id` = '$reminders_id'";

      foreach ($DB->request($query) as $data) {
         $users[$data['users_id']][] = $data;
      }
      return $users;
   }

}
?>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Be in the Magazine
Our Stories Told
The new National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio, offers a $12 million look at the history of our great lakes, including shipwrecks, steamboat races and the world's first five-masted schooner.
By Jennifer Keirn
Max Wedge
A life raft recovered from the shipwreck of the doomed Edmund Fitzgerald. The bell that sounded as the Cortland sank into Lake Erie's depths in 1868. The Christmas dinner menu from the USS Wolverine, the aircraft carrier that trained President George H.W. Bush to land at sea.
All are artifacts from the Great Lakes' rich history that go on display in April at the new National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio. Operated by the Great Lakes Historical Society, it replaces the Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Vermilion, which closed in 2011 after nearly 60 years.
"We decided (about 10 years ago) we wanted to expand our facility, but we didn't have enough property in Vermilion," says Chris Gillcrist, the society's executive director.
Feasibility studies showed the potential to attract more visitors at locations outside Vermilion, leading the society in 2008 to select its new home on 2.5 acres previously called the Toledo Maritime Center, an under-utilized Maumee River ferry terminal and marina. Gillcrist expects 41,000 to 65,000 visitors annually, as compared with the 5,000 to 7,500 annual visitors in Vermilion.
Through artifacts and interactive displays, this 15,680-square-foot, $12 million museum tells the stories of the Great Lakes' early exploration and settlement, their role in industry and public safety, our region's famed shipwrecks and the environmental challenges our lakes face today. There's plenty that kids will enjoy, too, stresses Gillcrist. Use virtual technology to dive the Edmund Fitzgerald, load a steam engine boiler with artificial coal to generate steam or have your photo taken and superimposed on a vintage photograph from a '20s-era passenger boat. "You're putting yourself back in time," Gillcrist says. "And then you can send it to your email or Facebook page."
Docked outdoors is the restored freighter S.S. Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship. "Even if you are from Arizona or Texas or Virginia, you will understand how Great Lakes history has impacted our nation's history," Gillcrist says. "All of the Great Lakes have a part in a national story that hasn't been told."
10 Sights to See
John Sherwin Propeller. Created in one piece from a single cast, this propeller weighs 22 tons and is 23 feet in diameter. It was believed to be the largest cast propeller in history at the time.
Schoolcraft Snowshoes. These snowshoes belonged to 19th-century ethnologist Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who was appointed as an Indian agent in Michigan in 1822. Schoolcraft was known for the treaties he negotiated with Native Americans across the upper Great Lakes.
Joseph Francis Lifesaving Boat. This 160-year-old Kelleys Island lifesaving boat is thought to be the last of its kind in its original condition in the world. Built in the 19th century, the boat was found in the 1970s on Kelleys Island, where it was used as a pig sty.
Edmund Fitzgerald Life Raft. One of two life rafts recovered from one of the most important shipwrecks in American history. The cargo ship Edmund Fitzgerald sunk in 1975 during a devastating storm on Lake Superior, taking the lives of its 29-member crew. Its empty lifeboats, which were automatically deployed, were the first evidence discovered by search vessels. "The boat sank so quickly," says Chris Gillcrist, executive director of the Great Lakes Historical Society. "She probably came down a wave and submarined down 500 feet and was never able to recover. They never knew what hit them."
Cortland Bell. This 100-pound bell from the shipwreck of the Cortland was recovered from Lake Erie by a team of archaeologists led by the Great Lakes Historical Society in 2006. The bell's tones were the last thing heard by the ship's crew before the Cortland collided with passenger steamer Morning Star in 1868. Both ships sank, and the collision claimed more than 30 lives.
Ship's Wheel from the David Dows. The David Dows was the first five-masted schooner in world history. Built in 1881 in Toledo, she was the largest wooden boat at that time, with comfortable crew quarters and cargo capacity of 2,500 tons of coal — an effort to prove that wind could still measure up to steam, oil and diesel. The problem was the boat was so big that "when she was fully loaded she often couldn't get into a harbor," says Gillcrist. The boat was converted into a barge and sank, with no casualties, on Lake Michigan in 1889.
Christmas Dinner Menu from the USS Wolverine. Commissioned in 1942, the USS Wolverine is one of only two coal-fired, steam-powered, side-wheel aircraft carriers in world history. The ship trained more than 15,000 pilots to land at sea on Lake Michigan, including former President George H.W. Bush during World War II.
Lawson Plaque. This plaque was replicated by the museum to replace one that originally hung at Northwestern University near Chicago and honors the student members of the Evanston Life Saving Station who served from 1875 to 1915. This station was the only lifesaving station in U.S. history manned by volunteers and was created after a terrible shipwreck off the coast of Chicago. "You could hear people screaming in the water," says Gillcrist. "Students from Northwestern ran out to save people." The station's motto was: "We have to go out, but we don't have to come back." How the original plaque disappeared remains a mystery. "It's probably stuffed in some fraternity closet in Northwestern," jokes Gillcrist. "If it ever comes up on eBay, I'm buying it."
Tashmoo Wheel and City of Erie Bell. Artifacts from these two boats tell the story of one of the most famous steamboat races in United States history. The two boats raced from Cleveland to Erie on June 4, 1901, with City of Erie winning by just 45 seconds, what in steamboat time would be considered a photo finish.
Capstan Cover from the V. H. Ketcham. This boat bore the name of Toledo's first millionaire, who led a large bank in the town in the 1860s and 1870s. This artifact — a cover for the spool-shaped vertical axle used to wind ropes or cables — is one of about 20 that will be designated with a "Toledo Trail" icon, designating its connection to Toledo history.
The National Museum of the Great Lakes
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The book every malware analyst should keep handy.
An excellent crash course in malware analysis.
. . . the most comprehensive guide to analysis of malware, offering detailed coverage of all the essential skills required to understand the specific challenges presented by modern malware.
A hands-on introduction to malware analysis. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to dissect Windows malware.
. . . a great introduction to malware analysis. All chapters contain detailed technical explanations and hands-on lab exercises to get you immediate exposure to real malware.
. . . brings reverse engineering to readers of all skill levels. Technically rich and accessible, the labs will lead you to a deeper understanding of the art and science of reverse engineering. I strongly recommend this book for beginners and experts alike.
If you only read one malware book or are looking to break into the world of malware analysis, this is the book to get.
. . . an excellent addition to the course materials for an advanced graduate level course on Software Security or Intrusion Detection Systems. The labs are especially useful to students in teaching the methods to reverse engineer, analyze and understand malicious software.


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Purton Bowls Club
Mens' - S&D Tables 2019
Mens' - Wilts Tables 2019
Purton Magazine - Bowls
Village magazine - June 2018
Village magazine - May 2018
Village magazine - April 2018
Purton Gallery
General Views
Club Presentations - Nov 2017 (part 1/3)
Mens' Fixtures - 2019
Ladies' Fixtures - 2019
Friendly Fixtures - 2019
Mens' Competitions
Ladies' Competitions
RESULTS - SEASON -2018
Mens' Triples - 2018
Ladies' Evening (S&D)
Ladies' Afternoon (S&D)
RESULTS - SEASON - 2017
Mens' Evening Fixtures
A Team (T&B)
C Team (T&B)
D team (T&B)
Friendly Fixtures
Mens' Triples - A TEAM
Mens' Triples - C TEAM
Mens' Triples - D TEAM
Ladies' Triples Fixtures
Ladies' 2 Rink Fixtures
Club Competitions - 2016
We Are Opening
Location & Address :
The Red House, Church Street, Purton, Wiltshire SN5 4DT
History & Background :
Purton Bowls Club is situated in the north-east corner of Wiltshire. Purton itself is a long, straggling village of some 4000 souls and has always had a strong sporting tradition. Our cricket club was formed almost 200 years ago and the game is played on the same ground today.
After the last war a Victorian house and grounds were purchased as a war memorial and village centre. The tennis and football clubs soon took up residence.
Some villagers, who had grown too old for cricket and football, began to play bowls on the lawn in front of the house, but unfortunately the bowls tended to gather together, beneath a large tree in the corner of the lawn and occasionally a bowl would go through the hedge onto the road, sometimes rolling down the hill and ending up in the car park of the Hope (a now defunct public house).
This kind of bowling may have been a lot of fun but was quite unsatisfactory for visitors, so it wasn't long before a group of villagers persuaded the Parish Council to invest £5000 in the construction of a bowling green.
Purton bowls club was officially formed in 1970, but it wasn't until the 1971 that the club played their first fixture.
A plot of land was allocated for the clubs official home. This plot of land was an old walled garden at the side of the Memorial house fondly known as 'The Red House'.
Purton
SN5 4DT
Mail to Purton Bowls Club


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Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME)
Daewoo Unhappy as Hyundai Inches Closer to Winning Korea's Destroyer Project Despite Info Leak Allegations
Our Bureau
06:02 AM, November 2, 2020
Aegis Weapon System
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) could award the project to build indigenous Aegis-equipped warships to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), even after allegations of classified information leak by some Navy officials to HHI.
Three Navy officers are suspected to have allowed Hyundai officials in 2014 to secretly film confidential documents related to Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) project. It was done to give the shipbuilder an advantage in winning the contract, local media had reported in September.
Citing the ongoing probe, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), which is also vying for the 21 billion-won ($17.6 million) project, filed for a court injunction against the project. In August, DAPA reviewed both companies' basic design proposals and gave Hyundai higher scores, Yonhap reported Friday.
"The Seoul Central District Court dismissed Daewoo's application on Tuesday, saying it is unclear if Hyundai uses the information that it allegedly illegally acquired," a DAPA official told reporters.
The arms procurement agency will officially announce a preferred bidder early next month to sign a contract within this year.
Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) Project
The KDDX Project to build 6,000 ton-class warships was launched in 2018. Deadline to finish design and begin construction is set for 2023 and 2024 respectively. The project is to be completed by late 2020s.
DSME completed their conceptual design in 2019. In its baseline configuration, DSME's KDDX has a length of 155 meters, a beam of 18 meters and a draft of 9.5 meters for a displacement of 8,000 tons. It features 48x VLS cells forward, 16x VLS cells aft, 16x anti-ship missiles and 2x K-DAGAIE NG decoy launchers.
HHI unveiled an entirely new design featuring an inverted bow in this year.
S.Korean Navy Officers under Probe for Leaking Warship Info to Hyundai
September 22, 2020 @ 10:14 AM
Three South Korean Navy officers are being investigated over a suspected leak of classified warship information to Hyundai Heavy Industries. The officials secretly filmed documents related to a project to build an indigenous Aegis-equipped destroyer in...
Russian Scientist Accused of Leaking Top Secret Data to the West Arrested
December 4, 2020 @ 10:01 AM
Russias Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a Russian scientist Anatoly Gubanov on suspicion of high treason for allegedly handing over classified data to the West. Moscows Lefortovo District Court on December 3 ruled to...
S.Korea's KDX III Destroyer to get Phalanx Weapon Systems
South Korea will buy a pair of MK 15 MOD 25 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 (IB2) systems to equip them on the Navy's KDX III warship. The contract was approved by
South Korea Launches Navy's 2nd KSS III Submarine
South Koreas Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME)