Despite living in a country that houses the greatest percentage of fresh water in the world, efforts are still constantly taking place to keep this percentage and the ultimate freshness of the water forever constant.
University of British Columbia's professor John Richardson is trying to find the best way to protect freshwater streams in logging areas. Since many decades ago, loggers and environmentalists have come up with the idea of 30-meter buffer, a notion in which 30 meters of trees are left on the sides of streams in order to reduce erosion of the stream-bank, shade streams to keep temperatures down, protect fish habitats, prevent sediment from accumulating and increase the overall stability of the ecosystem. Professor Richardson is working to introduce a variant strategy which will prove to be more efficient in protecting our freshwater.
To read the full article of this buffer and the endeavor to protect our precious fresh waters, see
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2012/04/04/protecting-our-freshwater/
With Apri 14,2012 marking the 100th year of the sinking of what was deemed to be 'unsinkable', director James Cameron, naval experts, geologists,and engineers took a dive down to 'The Abyss', the location of what is now left of the massive ship.
The primary cause due to the catastrophic event is well-known but these researchers took over 30 dives into the ocean for reasons that lead to its disintegration.
Amazingly, the one factor that was predominant was HYDRAULIC ACTION, the powerful force of water. This method of erosion is behind the steepness of walls and the formation of landscape features but who would have known that it also behind the splitting of the ship.
The particular facet of why the ship had sunk the way it had and how it had slowly made its way a few miles from the coast of Newfoundland from where it primarily sank was clarified through the observation of water qualities.
Who knew something so blue and liquid'y' could be so powerful?
The world's weaving waterways, extending from mountains to lowland flood plains and deltas become the source of food, water, and even electricity for nations. Though with the growing populations and the ultimately growing needs of the world's populace, these natural water suppliers degrade from their fresh running water to merely dry land.The over-consumption of the rivers causes it waters to never even reach its delta or be resourceful to the cities or towns located further down its channel.
For example, the Colorado River is a life source for nearly 30 million people and since it is so heavily tapped with dams and agricultural industries, its water flow covers approximately only one-tenth of what it did formerly. This river, which was significant and resourceful for two countries, is now subjected to only a few acres of land and if such practices continue, it will find its way to nothingness.
In the past summer, I took a trip to Alberta. During this vacation of mine, I had the fortune to see the many beautiful aspects of nature in areas such as Banff and Drumheller. The attractions that were present here were made to seem even more appealing and significant due to the fact that they were solely the outcome of nature's happenings.
Most significant was my visit to LAKE LOUISE, located in the many mountains of Banff.
This lake is iconic to Canada's natural attractions for it is the product of glacier recession. Thus, the waters of the lake are deep blue, fresh, and, nonetheless, very cold. The U-shaped valley above the lake clearly portrays the origination of the lake and the abundant waterfalls and cliffs around it represent the landscape changes the once present glacier has brought about.
GRAVITY, a force that became the amazing discovery of Newton's, becomes the ultimate cause of much destruction to world's land. Its constant downward force causes objects to ultimately to move in an according action, not only humans, but even rigid houses, rooted trees, and towering lamp posts and street signs.
In this picture, the effect of SOIL CREEP is evident. This wooden fence has been established on a steep slope. In this area, when rain or other forms of precipitation seep into the soil, the soil moves in the direction of the force of gravity, downhill. Thus, the pickets anchored in the soil will also move when the platform that supports it is moving.
How would you like to build a house here?
