Deforestation does refer to the destruction (often by fire) of forests and it is deforestation that matters when it is primarily due to our human activities. Activities such as logging, what is called “slash and burn” agriculture, urban sprawl, residential and commercial development, economic activity will reduce the size of the forests. It comes about when people expand their activities, as in mining operation, petroleum drilling (whether exploratory or production), building dams, and any other type of human population expansion program.

Many of us go camping out in the wilderness and sometimes use scattered dead wood to burn as fuel for food and warmth. This is not deforestation. When you cut the trees down and remove them because they are in the way of your program of expansion and you do it over large areas, that is deforestation.

Another way of deforestation is through uncontroled logging, and I realize that many good, hard working people use the logging industry to take care of their families. I read recently about thirty-two million acres (a great deal of it illegal) of forest disappears each year. This according to the Nature Conservancy.

I am not suggesting that all deforestation is even intentional. Some is driven by human interests combined with natural processes. Recently a out-of-control wildfire burned a large section of forest not too far from where I live. It happens and it is not always intentional. Forests are a blessing to us where I live. They should never be taken for granted. (Keep in mind that forest fire is also a natural part of any forest’s lifecycle and the overgrazing by our livestock that occurs after a fire can prevent the growth of new trees. So it happens on all levels.)

We all know that about thirty percent of the earth’s surface is covered with forest. I recently read that of that surface area, an area about the size of the state of Nebraska is cleared for agriculture purposes each and every year.

That is a lot of area, and of that, about 23,000 square miles are “primary forest.” “Primary forest” is defined as: “native species where there are no clearly visible indications of human activities and where the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed.”

There are other programs called “reforestation programs.” This is defined as: “The reestablishment of forest cover either naturally or artificially.” This from McGraw-Hill Science and Technology Encyclopedia.

OK, you’re probably thinking, so what? Why is that a big deal? Well, for one thing, it is estimated that about eighty percent of all species on Earth, and here we are counting species not even discovered yet, live in tropical rainforests.

Deforestation down in those regions tends to wipe out critical habitat. Deforestation tends to disrupt ecosystems and leads to the extinction of certain species, including species which are irreplaceable. Species that could be used to make medicine essential for effective treatments of devastating diseases.

Deforestation also contributes to global climate change. Studies have shown that tropical deforestation accounts for about twenty percent of all greenhouse gasses. The people doing this are not bad people. They are just trying to take care of their families just like you do. And they feel they receive significant immediate short term benefits from these activities. The problem is that these short term gains cannot, and will not, offset the long term negative losses. Economic losses.

You want to know why you should care about this? Look at the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Bonn, Germany in 2008. Scientists there along with economists and other experts came to the conclusion that deforestation and damage to the environments systems of the world could cut the living standards for the world’s poor people by half. Also, they concluded that this could reduce the gross domestic product (GDP) globally by about seven percent. That’s globally, not just in some area far away from you.

If you carefully consider this and come to the conclusion that this will have no effect on you, you’re just not paying attention to the long term and you are not thinking this through. The economic problems of the looming energy transition are coming and they won’t be pretty.

You might think you can just ignore the rest and keep on keeping on but it won’t work. Many of us can see what is coming and know what energy salvation is. It is when our families have energy to be mobile as well as to be warm and comfortable.

Physiological Abnormalities detection: This might the main function of the x-rays. Many hospitals and clinics use x-rays to detect abnormalities in the body, check a person’s bone structure and procure dental imaging. As the National Heart and Lung Blood Institute state, you will find that x-rays are very helpful in detecting the medical problems, verifying surgery results and improving treatments.

Forensics: There are many fields such as industrial companies and airports that use the x-rays to examine an enclosed packages and items. These rays can also be used to reveal the structural abnormalities that the naked eyes may fail to see. Usually, the x-rays are used in high-security areas. Based on the International Centre for Diffraction Data report, these can detect the knives, guns and other objects that are considered to be dangerous in the bags or pockets.

Risk of Cancer: Instead of being very useful, the x-rays can also be dangerous for people. These can increase the risk of suffering cancer if someone frequently undergoes procedures in X-ray. The radiation produced by the x-rays is very dangerous for the cells in the body tissue because of the protons absorbed. Thus, doctor should limit the unnecessary scanning to decrease this risk. This is based on the New England Journal of Medicine report.

Risk of Heart Problems: Next risk of x-rays is the risk of developing of heart disease. According to Medical News Today, when the x-rays test is done, the endothelial cells in the blood vessels that lead to the heart may be damaged and inflamed. This inflammation of danger can cause the risk of heart problems.

Birth Defects: Another risk of the x-rays is birth defect. You will find that an unborn baby will have physical deformities caused by the radiation when a pregnant woman is tested using the X-rays. Thus, you should not undergo x-rays procedures when you are pregnant since this can be very dangerous for your baby. This is reported by the Science Encyclopedia.

Those are some uses and dangers of the x-rays. Thus, when you are about to have an x-ray test, you should make sure that all the procedures are done correctly so that you will have a safe x-ray test. Make sure that you have consulted with your doctor about this.

The primary key in determining what topic to work on is observation. Science is all around us even though we pass by it without consideration. We simply need to slow down, stop even, and watch. Look for the unexpected. Look for things that make you ask ‘why did it do that?’ Let me put this another way.

Recently, there has been an influx of television shows based on crime scene investigation. What these investigators do, is look at the objects in front of them and then have to figure out what variables causes those objects to end in its present state. They even run multiple experiments with different variable to find the test results that match the crime scene. This analogy is a little backward for our sake since investigators have the result of some undermined set of variables while science fair projects manipulate variables to find the results. However, the experiments done by investigator are very similar to what you might do in a science fair project.

Here are some ideas for coming up with a science fair project topic. As I mentioned above, observe. Break things down, ask ‘why’ or ‘how does that work’. Also, looking for topics related to your personal interests and hobbies will be extremely beneficial. Imagine working with something you already have a passion for. It would give you motivation, even excitement, for your project. It will also allow you to gain more insight and knowledge into your hobby. Other ideas can be found in magazines, encyclopedias, libraries, science textbooks and even talking with older relatives.

If you are still in need of a project topic, seek out professionals in your community. They are often excited to share insight into their field of expertise and can make suggestions on the best ideas to start with. You may also gain ideas by checking out local hospitals, universities, government or state departments (like the Department of Agriculture or Department of Transportation), zoos, museums, aquariums, greenhouses, computer centers and water treatment plants. If you choose a topic related to any of these locations, it may work out that you may be able to work with these facilities for the purpose of observation or even basic research.

In determining what topic to explore, be sure to check out the resources listed in this article. Make notes of things that interest you or raise intrigue. Explore ideas that appeal to your passions and interests, so that you may set yourself up to succeed. The important thing is to find something that you will enjoy. Remember to slow down and observe. Everything can be broken down into a science. Good luck in your quest for a great science fair project topic.

The first thing to understand about organic food definition only covers the tip of the iceberg as the saying goes. Well the basics of organic food is quite simply food that is grown without any sort of man made substances being poured over it, around it and even inserted under it. The condition for the growing of the organic matter has to be composed of 100% natural environment.

Now that we have covered the organic food definition is short we should take a closer look at this subject. For any food to be classified as being an organic food it needs to be free from all genetically modified internal cell structures. The plant must be like the ones that you see growing in the wild – but ones that we can eat without getting poisoned – and their inner cell structure should not have been tampered with.

Next the land that you are choosing to plant these 100% organic plants should be absolutely free from all traces of chemicals. To allow the land time to recover from the abuse of these harmful products like chemicals and pesticides you should uproot any chemically treated plants. Then you will need to leave the land alone for about 2 to 4 years.

This time period will allow the land to recover from the various chemicals which were heaped on it. Once you are sure that the land is ready for planting begin by fertilizing the land with organic fertilizers. These fertilizers will help prepare the land for plants. The first phase of organic food definition includes the preparation of the land where the food is to be grown.

Now you can plant your organic plant into the soil. Using only techniques which are healthy for your garden or land you should make sure that friendly bugs and plants are used to protect your garden’s harvest from plant hungry insects.

The entire combination package of chemical free land, organically produced plants and environmentally safe pesticides – read spiders and ladybugs here – along with protective, sweet smelling (to us that is) plants is what is ultimately meant by the organic food definition.

Flower encyclopedia is good if you are looking to add different varieties of flowers into your garden. If you are trying to identify a certain flower then you should use the flower encyclopedia for such a cause. The encyclopedia also helps gardeners know what kind of soil we will need to plant certain flowers as well as the kind of manure to help you grow the flower from a seed to an award winning flower.

These encyclopedias can be found in bookstores and on the internet. They can benefit flower hobbyists, gardeners, and flower lovers. The book form of the flower encyclopedia you can use the index to select the flowers you are looking for or you just go through with the book to see the various information that you will find useful. There is also the internet version of the encyclopedia which comes in various forms and some you just have to use the search engines such as Google to find the flower you want.

In many forms the internet encyclopedia will have a list of flowers from A to Z and you will be able to use links to take you to the appropriate flower page. Use the encyclopedia to get all the information you need.

GIS applications comprise of effective tools that not only organize the data in a systematic manner but also present it in a user interactive format. A specialized branch of study known as Geographic Information Science familiarizes university students with geographical concepts, systems and applications.

This system of study acts as a powerful tool and it performs the following functions:

• Organization, presentation and revision of data
• Analysis of spatial information
• Creation of queries
• Preparation of graphic maps
• Formation of databases

GIS is an information system that integrates graphical mapping entities with an existing database to give a better picture about various geographical factors. One good instance in this regard is the GPS on mobiles, which uses the same technology to enable consumers to determine their position while traveling from one point to the other.

GIS has revolutionized the whole concept of geography. It has expanded the scope of the subject as it seeks to provide solution to disasters and risks in real time. Other important fields where GIS technology is employed to a great extent are disaster and risk management, urban planning, criminology, logistics, archaeology, asset management, marketing, mapping etc.

GIS technology involves three dimensions denoted mathematically as the x, y and z coordinates giving the images a three dimensional visual effect. These coordinates represent the longitude, latitude and the elevation respectively. There are also other variables for information like the zip code, mile markers etc. These spatially established variables are are then entered into the GIS system.

GIS also helps to convert this data into user comprehensible format to generate maps. Maps serve as important guidelines in determining a particular location or place. Statistics on census is another valuable source that fosters map-layout and support GIS thematic information. Data is stored in GIS system represents real objects found in the world like roads, elevation, and distance so on so forth.

In short, GIS has literally penetrated every field be it science, commerce or arts. The environmentalists, executives or government agencies – all of them use GIS technology to locate places of special significance and utilize it to the best of their advantage.

GIS also plays a very important role in CAD related services where activities such as urban planning and surveying are based on the data obtained from GIS data.

Unlike traditional GIS systems, modern GIS technology is highly advanced in terms of speed, automation, versatility and transferability. There are various methods used to create digital information to sustain the GIS systems. Digitization of this data is done by Computer Aided Design or CAD.

Due to the presence of Ortho-rectified imagery, heads-ups digitizing has become the main source for obtaining relevant geographical data directly over aerial imagery. This is why present day GIS systems have become more reliable and efficient, effectively becoming an Encyclopedia of the Earth.

Wikipedia is different. It incorporates an almost completely democratic model of sharing knowledge. Anyone with access to the site can log in in an administrative capacity and contribute information or make corrections that will appear immediately, available to anyone in the world with an Internet connection and specific curiosity. An inner circle of experts and editors will make changes and corrections as needed. However, these revisions follow a lag time during which anyone can see what anyone else has to say on any topic under the sun. Wikipedia is currently one of the most popular informational resources in the world, and the 7th most popular website on the Internet.

Smart marketing experts know that having a presence on Wikipedia is as validating and mandatory as a well-run website. Run a search for any successful business and you’ll be greeted with a professionally populated page complete with history, demographics, services, premiums, outside resources and a Who’s Who. Shop NBC’s page, for example, includes a concise profile, followed by parent companies, affiliates, geographic headquarters and main commercial competitors. A tight squeeze, and that’s just the introductory paragraph.

Investigate further and learn a detailed and highly readable history of Shop NBC, from its humble beginnings as a regional at-home shopping program née Valuevision in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, to the latest relevant trading updates. Broadcasting the information that NBC’s possible coming merger with Comcast may affect the company’s relationship with Valuevision is just one example of how Wikipedia, because it receives updates on new events and developments so quickly after they occur, functions as a news source; a living news ticker conversant in even the most obscure corner of any field. Thanks to a worldwide brain trust divorced from the meritocratic system that has traditionally dominated resource building and editing, Wikipedia is free to expand as far and wide as the intellect hive mind that writes its content.

Admittedly prone to broadcasting information that can be scattershot or under-verified, Wikipedia’s larger and more technical science articles have been grudgingly assessed by experts as having a similar overall record of accuracy and number of “serious” errors as the Encyclopedia Brittanica, the reigning queen of knowledge aggregation. Institutionally accredited encyclopedias have to pass through regular cycles of review and supplementation each year. Wikipedia is renewed, augmented, corrected and challenged every single day, in real time. That’s a revolutionary concept in maintaining a bank of human knowledge that can be relied upon to proffer up-to-date, expertly filtered facts on demand.

ShopNBC’s page also provides a subheading Personalities. Here, we are introduced to notable members in ShopNBC’s retinue of onscreen representatives, including Charla Rines, Jim Zons, Chuck Podhaiski, Shawn Wilsie, Skip Connelly, Steve Sedahl, Laura Duffek, Jum Skelton aka England Jim, Angela Gustaffson, Tim (Ford) Temple, Kristyn Burtt, Jim Fish, spouses Wes McCoy and Pamela McCoy, and even Suzanne Somers, introduced in 2009, who will occupy an esteemed position as one of the latest faces of ShopNBC. She’ll introduce a signature fashion line and host one weekend every month. It’s highly specific details like this that make Wikipedia such a valuable online resource.

The article goes on to list notable present personalities, like Allison Waggoner, Brian Kessler, Connie Kunkle, Daniel Green, Dave King, Heather Hall, Jim Skelton, Katina Forte, Lynne Schacher, Melissa Miner, Shawn Wilsie, Bob Bowersox. It’s easy to see how such obsessive attention to detail would be unthinkable without the passionate interest that the individuals who collaborate to build Wikipedia bring to the table. That’s the magic of crowd-sourcing. Everyone is an expert in something.

Finally, appendices at the bottom of the page offer a sort of bibliography and extended reading list for those who wish to fact check or fill in the blanks. Keep in mind that any new information and statistics can be added to the Wikipedia article by simply creating an account and logging in to the page. That recasts every new question as an opportunity to expand and deepen Wikipedia’s already considerable and constantly growing information trust.

What is Wikipedia? Wikipedia combines the Hawaiian word “wiki,” meaning “fast,” with encyclopedia. Because of the Wikipedia phenomenon, a new meaning for wiki has evolved, and it now can refer to any website or effort that is built through collaboration of a larger community. So, Wikipedia is a quick-reference, online encyclopedia built through the collaboration of multiple contributors.

Who Can You Trust? “Multiple contributors” means anyone and everyone. The only requirement is signing up for a free Wikipedia account. You can start new pages about unfound topics or edit existing entries about everything from historic events to celebrities and pop culture. Right now, your neighbor, or even your neighbor’s kid, could be editing a Wikipedia article about the Byzantine navy.

Don’t panic yet. It’s much more likely that a renowned historian studying the Byzantine Empire created the article. It’s also very likely that the historian’s colleagues or students have found the article, added helpful information, edited existing information and created a reliable source of information.

Wikipedia has several policies and self-governing processes in place to help prevent or quickly correct inaccurate information. Contributors must protect their reputations to avoid getting blocked from the site. Anyone can view a history of all edits by all contributors giving you a step by step look at the articles evolution. If necessary, you can use this history to draw your own conclusions about the stated facts.

Some facts may be open to interpretation, and Wikipedia is a way for people with opposing views to work out their differences and reach a compromise, so be aware that any article you view could be in the midst of this type of editing.

Is it a Primary Source? There probably isn’t a lot of new information coming out about the Byzantine navy, but edits and updates to pages about Michael Jackson and General Motors have been flying fast and furiously. Since the quality and reliability of articles can vary greatly, Wikipedia tries to alert users of possible misinformation by posting system-generated messages at the top of articles that may be missing references or include information that is too new to trust.

Follow reference links in articles is a way to check facts against a more primary source. When used, reference links appear within articles as a superscript number in brackets. Click on the number and the page will jump down to show you the original source of the information.

Another option for noobies who prefer more original sources of information is to scroll to the bottom of an article and look for “Further Reading” or “External Links,” which should take you to helpful books, articles and websites. This is a great way to jump-start your own research.

Wikipedia vs. Encyclopedia: Companies like World Book and Britannica still print encyclopedias, but they’ve also had to reinvent their business models to include online components. For some noobies, there will always be a modicum of credibility for any information that gets printed and bound. But, the reality is that encyclopedias only get printed once a year, which means much of the information they contain is outdated before coming off the presses. And, at more than $1,000 a set, you’re not likely to reinvest in new tomes every year.

Besides, think back to the Wikipedia article about the Byzantine navy. Wikipedia could potentially give you access to expert research and resources that you otherwise may only have uncovered after years as a doctoral student. And when you want a bit of information about recent events or popular culture, you may find Wikipedia more helpful than a search engine. You’ll be glad someone else cared enough to contribute their knowledge-especially people with intimate knowledge or fist-hand experiences.

Wiki What? The popularity of Wikipedia has spawned a whole genre of wikis-sites built with content contributed by community participants. The Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit entity that created Wikipedia, has other wiki projects, including Wiktionary, Wikiquote and Wikibooks. All of its projects are available to the public free of charge, and the company relies on tax-deductible donations to cover its operating costs.

Exploring Wikipedia: Are you ready to start exploring? Not sure where to start? The Wikipedia home page features an article a day and highlights facts from newer entries. If you get bored with one topic, simply click “Random Article” in the left navigation bar of every page. You can instantly dive into a new, surprisingly interesting topic-like the Byzantine navy. Before you know it, you’ll be the next noobie to say, “I love Wikipedia!”

Is it a Primary Source? There probably isn’t a lot of new information coming out about the Byzantine navy, but edits and updates to pages about Michael Jackson and General Motors have been flying fast and furiously. Since the quality and reliability of articles can vary greatly, Wikipedia tries to alert users of possible misinformation by posting system-generated messages at the top of articles that may be missing references or include information that is too new to trust.

For pedestrian research Wikipedia can be a remarkable resource. Search on wheat production in Kansas, and you’ll get seventeen articles that refer you to a commodities trading organization, a couple of agriculture publications, the Kansas Board of Trade and links to other sites that may or may not be related. If you don’t find what you want, chances are that a search on Kansas will get you their annual wheat production in a review of the state and its resources. For general information, Wikipedia has become a repository for an unmatched collection of resources. From quantum physics to cartoons, you’ll find something on virtually any topic.

The information provided there seems factual, precise and for the most part professionally presented. Wikipedia does employ a staff of article checkers, in order to eliminate the most egregious examples of self aggrandizing nonsense. Most articles are posted by registered users, which cuts down on the traffic from flamers. Contributors are also able to edit posted articles and contribute further knowledge they may have.

Wikipedia has suffered some growing pains recently in situations where it has become a resource for current events. For example, the entry on Enron’s Kenneth Lay had several erroneous entries about the circumstances of his death, as well as a few soapbox entries about the death of the Houston rip-off artist, etc. There have been other instances where edits have been made regarding breaking news that have been incorrect. Because Wikipedia has become such a widespread resource, the managers of the site and its founder, Jimmy Wales, have been criticized.

It is a legitimate question as to whether Wikipedia has a role in the business of newsgathering with its open source format. Management’s response has been that henceforth, there will be no more anonymous entries but that only registered users will be allowed to post on the site. But while the operators of Wikipedia wrestle with success, it is nevertheless a unique information resource – an encyclopedia drawn from the population at large.

The front page has featured articles and links to a number of sections. One provides tips to using the site, while another is a reference section designed to function as a library resource. There are a couple of community forums and news about new features on the site.

Sister projects include a Wiktionary – their dictionary and thesaurus service. Wikispecies is a biological database about the species found among flora and fauna. Wikisource is a free content library – a source of links to online content that has been made available at no cost. The family of Wiki services (Wikiwiki means “in a hurry” in Hawaiian) is a unique online service that owes its origin to the open-source, anarchic origins of the World Wide Web. Some intelligent fellow came along and found a way to present information in an organized fashion, provided by participants and at no cost – and to make a personal commercial success of it. That is the internet at its best.

Student Benefits of Using an Online Encyclopedia:

1. Speed

It is much faster to use online encyclopedias to do research than to spend hours in the library. When working online, the student needs to simply find the encyclopedia of their choice and type in a search phrase. From here, the student can be given a number of articles relating to the focus of their research. They will be able to amass a wealth of information in a matter of minutes. This same process can take literally hours when using printed materials in a library.

2. Updated Information

When using an online encyclopedia, students will receive updated information. If the facts change, these changes will be reflected by the online reference materials. With printed materials this simply isn’t possible. Once a book is printed, it cannot be changed. Many schools and libraries have encyclopedias that are five or ten years old. Students that are forced to use these materials, may be absorbing information that has been long out of date.

3. Depth and Breadth

Because online encyclopedias are constantly being updated, they often have more depth and breadth than a traditional encyclopedia. This gives students a chance to find much more information on any given subject. Additionally, if they are focusing on a topic that is not well known, it may not be found in traditional printed reference materials. A final advantage is that when there is a citation or footnote in an online encyclopedia, it is often accompanied by a link to the original source. This gives students an easy way to gather more information as well as easily reference original sources.

Teachers and Researchers Benefits to Using Online Encyclopedias:

1. Create a Connection

Students are using the internet and all that it has to offer at a continually growing rate. By utilizing online reference materials, you are able to make a connection with the students. This will normally increase their attention to the project as well as increase their overall level of engagement. A more engaged student will not only work harder, but will also naturally retain more of the information that they find.

2. Image Building

In order for a teacher or researcher to be taken seriously and be more respected, they must gain the approval of their audience. With more people utilizing the internet, a teacher or researcher will naturally appear that they have utilized resources that their audience would find acceptable, thus improving their image.

Should Online Encyclopedias and Reference Materials Trusted?

While the benefits of using online reference materials to find important facts, whether or not they can be trusted has been up for debate for some time. At the core of this debate, there is one major issue; where do online reference materials and encyclopedias get their information. If they are getting their information from low-quality resources, then the information is likely to be incorrect. There are many printed encyclopedias and reference materials that have been replicated online, such as the Encyclopedia Britannica, and are considered to be legitimate. However, the most popular online encyclopedia, Wikipedia and similar websites, is often criticized.

Since anyone can contribute to Wikipedia, many scholars argue that it is full of mistakes and inaccurate information. The founders of Wikipedia admit that some of the information may be inaccurate, however in total it has been found to be shockingly factual. In order to contribute to a Wikipedia entry, it must be cited. It is then reviewed by editors and the citation must be from a source that is unbiased and proven to be factually accurate. In fact, several studies have been conducted and concluded that Wikipedia is nearly as factually accurate Encyclopedia Britannica and Encarta.

If you are still wondering if Wikipedia can be trusted, keep in mind that it took over 70 years and thousands of contributors, including an inmate in an asylum for the criminally insane, to create the original Oxford English Dictionary. Just because thousands of people have made a contribution, that doesn’t inherently make the information incorrect.