S/N/198. Issue of Drilling for Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The paper examines the issues of plant and animal life preservation in Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) associated with the drilling for oil in the region. The benefits and risks of oil drilling are indicated; the history of national parks and wildlife refuges development is considered; the threats to the rich biodiversity of ANWR are discussed.

S/N/186. Critically examine whether the notion of 'sustainable development' is a contradiction in terms

The paper examines the concept of sustainable development (SD) discussing the definition of SD, the ambiguities of its interpretation, the need to curb wasteful use of resources, the Kyoto Agreement, the governments' policies towards CO2 emissions and other issues of the natural environment preservation that have an impact on human populations.

S/B/156. Sustainable Development: Battle for Trees

This essay begins with a general discussion of sustainable development. The main body of the essay is a discussion of forests and forest sustainability along with a discussion of why forest development is necessary. This essay also discusses the role of technology within the sustainability development area.

P/N/79. Influence of particular matter emission on morbidity and mortality

The paper reports on the emission of PM (particular matter) in the atmosphere and its impacts on human health. Regulations limiting PM emissions in the UK are reviewed; links between PM concentrations and weather conditions are established; evidences that PM influences morbidity and mortality are provided using epidemiological studies and other sources.

P/N/77. Impacts of agricultural intensification on birds habitat in UK

The paper analyses the impacts of agricultural intensification on the habitat diversity in the UK focusing on the decline in farmland bird species. Changes in agricultural land management brought about by the increasing productive competition under the EU Common Agricultural Policy, are outlined including hedgerow removal, improvement of pasture, increased use of Agro-chemicals, land drainage, etc. Solutions for the bird decline problem are recommended.

P/N/67. Coral reefs and fish diversity

The paper registers the correlation between fish species diversity and coral reef morphological variation. A study of an Indonesian marine park is conducted to identify the factors behind coral reef ecological integrity; the characteristics of Acporora coral are analyses from the perspective of supporting fish diversity.

P/N/66. Methodology of ecosystem analysis: case study

The paper offers a causal model for the changes in plant community composition on the basis of the data collected in the Bonanza Creek Reserve, Alaska. The method used in predicting future environmental changes in vegetation is described; the results of the data analysis are discussed highlighting the importance of causal models in the study of ecosystems.

P/N/63. Environmental impacts of North Sea exploitation

The paper looks at the exploitation of sea resources and its effects on the natural environment focusing on the problems of the North Sea related to the development of oil and gas fields, and fisheries. The levels of contamination within the marine environment are assessed; the activities of the agencies responsible for the management of the North Sea are reviewed.

P/N/61. Regulation in fishing industry

The paper examines the levels of fishing effort comparing the level of efficient effort and the level of excessive effort in a competitive fishing industry. A hypothetical two-firm fishing industry is described in terms of the game theory (prisoners dilemma). A need for direct and indirect regulation in biological and economic fisheries management is argued and supported with examples; regulation techniques are examined.

P/N/57. Decline in marine ecosystem

The paper looks at the issues related to the deterioration of the marine ecosystem focusing on the problem of overfishing. The environmental impacts of overfishing are outlined including the changes in the marine habitat and species diversity. Recommendations are made for fishery managers to reduce the effects of overfishing on the marine ecosystem.

S/N/26. Dissertation. Evaluate farmer's knowledge on the common agricultural policy and responses to the changes in the Peak District

The starting point of this research study is to look at the common agricultural policy (CAP) reforms agreed in June 2003; the impact on farms in the UK is likely to be significant, with negative impacts on farm incomes expected for the dairy sector. The study area focuses on farms in the Peak district and looks at in particular the levels of understanding, awareness and perceived impact on income of the CAP reforms. A telephone questionnaire was used to assess these impacts, with a total sample of 24. The study also reviews the major reports on the potential impacts of the CAP reforms from the House of Commons, DEFRA, the peak district national park authority and opinions have been collected from a range of specialists in this area of research. The literature highlights the highlights the significance of the CAP reforms and their potential impact on the environment and on farmers. The research findings showed that dairy farms appear to have the highest levels of awareness and understanding of the CAP reforms but their perceived impact on income is negative. Generally levels of awareness was high for all farm types in the study area, however levels of understanding of CAP reforms is low for the whole study area with the exception of dairy farms.

P/N/42. Fish population: problems and solutions

The paper touches upon the problems of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) focusing on the use of marine ecosystems studies in the fishing industry. The stages and objectives of IEM are outlined; the ways of dealing with globally depleting fish population are suggested highlighting the importance of Optimal Sustainable Yield (OSY).

S/N/23. Why do Animals live in groups?

This paper looks at the behaviour and environmental influences of why animals form groups. It covers a wide range of material including the hypotheses, social dominance, advantages and disadvantages, predator/prey relationships, foraging efficiency, group stability etc.

P/N/31. Dealing with waste: problems and solutions

The paper examines the UK waste strategy with the focus on the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). An overview of current national policy on the issue is presented; the framework of waste hierarchy is commented on. The performance of companies involved in waste damping and recycling is analysed.

P/N/25. Environmental indicators as methods of evaluating the quality of life

The paper examines the concepts of environmental indicators, sustainable development and quality of life, looking at their correlation. Definitions and origins of each concept are discussed; traditional approaches to measuring the quality of life are critically analysed. Types of environmental indicators are outlined and defined as methods for evaluating the state of the environment and for measuring the performance of governments, agencies and individuals.

P/N/19. The process of eutrophication: case study of Lake Erie

The paper looks at the process of eutrophication, or high biological productivity of aquatic systems. Trophic levels (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic, hypereutrophic and distrophic) are outlined; the causes and consequences of eutrophication are analysed. The author conducts a case study of the eutrophication of Lake Erie as a result of high levels of phosphorous in the water. The paper concludes that it is important to increase the public knowledge of eutrophication in order to keep water systems clean. The measures to reduce the risk of eutrophication are outlined.

P/N/17. Biodiversity conservation: protected area networks

The paper looks at the problems of environmental protection; 'biodiversity' is defined as one of the world's most important renewable resources that includes genetic diversity, species diversity, ecological diversity and functional diversity of life-forms. The threats to biodiversity are described on the basis of the recent environmental studies. The paper focuses on protected area networks, showing their significance in the conservation of biodiversity. Different approaches to the conservation of biodiversity are outlined and discussed.

P/N/12. The environmental effects of coal burning: global warming and acid rain are threats to humanity

The paper addresses the problems ensued by using coal as a major fossil fuel. While burning, it emits gasses pernicious for the environment. These are the so-called greenhouse gases (CO2, N2O, Ch4); acid gases (SO2, NOx, HCI) and particulate matter (PM10) that may cause lung disease in humans. Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation of the sunlight trapping it in the atmosphere. The increase in their concentration leads to global warming with major risks of floods, massive rainfalls, etc. that disrupt ecosystems, damage plants and animals and create major food and health problems. Acid rain, the paper goes on to say, results in pollution caused by sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and ozone emitted by fossil fuel burning. Acidification of water is harmful to aquatic organisms and destroys ecosystems creating risks of consuming contaminated fish, threatening reduction of forest productivity, etc. All this, the paper concludes, affects the life of human population and causes major concerns of the government.

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