Demographic Data research

Demographic data for the town of Amherst, NY:

Population:

• Total pop. in Amherst: 17,991
• Male population: 8,810
• Female population: 9,181

Races:

• White: 16,581
• Black or African American: 269
• Asian: 939

Households:

• Average household size: 2.94
• Average family size: 3.27
• Total housing units: 6,280
• Owner occupied housing: 5,746
• Renter occupied housing: 373

Social Characteristics:

• Population 25 years and older: 11,518
• High school grad or higher: 11,059
• Foreign born: 1,682

Economic Characteristics:

• In labor force: 9,579
• Median household income(dollars): 88,317
• Families below poverty level: 72
• Individuals below poverty level: 411

Biological Terrorism

In Buffalo, NY many actions have been taken in order to be prepared regarding a biological terrorism attack. For example, the CAE( Critical Arts Ensemble) has taken many steps toward making the people more aware of biotechnology. The federal jury conjoined in Buffalo on June 15th to discuss charges brought against the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The US biological weapons anti- terrorism act of 1989 which has expanded by the USA patriot act, prohibits the possession of any biological agent without the justification of peaceful purpose.  Buffalo's officials have really been sticking to this policy in order to eliminate any danger due to a biological terrorism attack. After the terrorism attack of 9/11 in NYC the whole state of New York has boosted its security. One main place where precautions are mainly taken are in the airports. Security while traveling has become a lot more strict in the Buffalo airport and in airports all over the country. Any action that may keep Buffalo from being attacked by terrorists has been considered and put into play. 

Evolution, Darwin's theory and the comparison to the creationism theory

Evolution can be described in many ways to explain the process of change in the inherited traits of of a population of organisms from one generation to the next. The genes that are passed from one organism to the next produce the inherited traits that are the basis of evolution. In species that reproduce sexually, new combinations of genes are formed by genetic recombination which results in the increase of variation in traits between organisms. 

Evolution was discovered when Chalres Darwin took a trip to the Galapagos Islands. He studied a number of species such as finches, whom proved by the shapes of their beaks to adapt to the different habitats. Although many theories of evolution existed through history, Darwin was the first to explain using the concept of natural selection. Darwin's theory explained that creatures who were best adapt to their environment enabled them to pass on their genes to offspring. Darwin also proposed that idea that humans had evolved from apes and over time small genetic mutations created the humans we are today. Darwin back this theory by using "survival of the fittest" to explain that species that could adapt to their changing environment easier would survive, while the weaker species died off. 

The main critics of Darwin's theory of evolution are the supporters of creationism. Creationism is the religious belief that that humanity, life and earth were created in their original form by a higher being such as god.  This term is also used to refer to the religiously- motivated rejection of evolution. Creationists oppose the theory of evolution mainly because they believe that the living and dead are the end products of a natural process. Creationists also oppose the Darwinian theory of evolution such that population pressures lead to a struggle for existence. It is believed to be false by creationists that organisms differ in random ways brought on by changes in the genes and mutations; that the struggle between organisms leads to a natural form of selection; and that the end consequence of evolution is a well- adapted organism. Since creationism is based mainly on religion, developing theories began to create a separation in church and state. Since there are many different aspects and explanations connected to the theories of evolution and creationism, different sides formed. 

Creationism and Evolution not only became a problem between church and state, but mainly in the education system. Studies in schools all over the world were unsure whether to teach the ideas of evolution or support creationism. One of the first public controversies over teaching evolution in schools was brought about by the "Scopes monkey trial" in 1925. This case concerned the enforcement of a Tennessee statue that prohibited the teaching of evolution in school systems. However this trial did not resolve the question of whether the First Amendment permitted states to ban the teaching of a theory that contradicted religious beliefs. Beginning around 1925, this struggle to know what theory should be taught to young children in the classroom is still not settled. In 1999, the Kansas board of education voted to remove evolution from the lists of subjects tested in standardized testing.  We may never really find an answer to solve this disagreement between science and religion, but the strive to teach individuals about every aspect is very important.

Superfund site

In 1978 the discovery of the Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York pointed out the consequences of environmental neglect. For many years American businesses had disposed of hazardous waste improperly and the materials ended up deep inside the land. These disposal sites soon posed potential threats to to public and environmental health. Reaction from the people led congress to establish the superfund program and create sites. 

The closest site to my home is the Brownfields site. This developmental site is located in downtown buffalo, which was granted 200,000 due to the fact of the love canal and lake erie being located so close. This clean up is expected to dramatically stimulate the economic development of the city of Buffalo. 

Grocery List

Intructions: On your next visit to the grocery store, make a list of genetically altered foods that are on sale for public consumption.

Genetically altered foods are mostly plants that have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired reactions such as resistance to herbicides or improve nutritional content. Some advantages of genetically modified foods are that they are pest resistant, disease resistant, cold tolerance, drought tolerance and nutrition. 

List of foods: 

1) Cantalope

2) Soybeans

3) Corn

4)Lettuce

5) Peppers 

Endangered Species in Western New York

Wildlife is not a big factor in Buffalo, New York. Some of the species that are found there and beginning to become endangered are: 

Peregrine falcon- This species was eliminated from the Eastern United States in the 1960's reports from the New York State Conservation law show. There was reduced breeding due to pesticide residues in their bird prey. Due to efforts their population has begun to grow steadily with about 50 pairs now spotted, but still remain on the endangered list.

Great Lakes wolf- First began to disappear when these wolves hybridized with gray wolves moving in from Canada. The native species began being taken over and now these great lakes wolves are being protected by the states.

Indiana bat- These bats are located on the endangered list because of destruction of habitat. It is believe that there are only 13,000 indiana bats left in the 8 out of 120 caves located in New York. Because bats hibernate in caves, they are subject to flooding or collapsing, both which have killed thousands of bats in the past.

Allegheny Woodrat- In 1980 there were only 5 known sites that woodrats occupied, which became extirpated in 1987. It was discovered that the woodrats had been wiped out by a parasite of the raccoon called raccoon roundworm.

Eastern Cougar- With exception of Florida, the eastern cougar has been extirpated from east of the mississippi since 1900. Studies have shown that this is due to human expansion and the taking over of land that the cougar used to make its habitat. 

Mini Project #2

The Carbon Cycle

Mini project #2- Complete the missing links in the carbon cycle

Carbon Cycle- The main function of the carbon cycle is to convert carbon dioxide into living matter and then back. The carbon cycle moves, in its many forms, between the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans and geosphere. The carbon cycle is known to be a great natural recycler of carbon atoms which many factors on earth rely on, which makes it very important to keep the carbon cycle flowing and balanced. 

A simple explanation of how the carbon cycle works mainly deals with the earths plants and animals. First of all the plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it, combined with water from the soil and make substances necessary for growth. The process of photosynthesis is involved in changing the carbon atoms from carbons to sugars. Animals eat plants and use the carbon dioxide contained to build their own tissues. Animals return the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they breathe and also when they die and the decomposition remains in the soil. The carbons left in the soil are used for a new plants growth.