Wolf Predation Essays - Predation, LotkaVolterra Equations, Caribou

Wolf Predation Effects of Wolf Predation Abstract: This paper discusses four hypotheses to explain the effects of wolf predation on prey populations of large ungulates. The four proposed hypotheses examined are the predation limiting hypothesis, the predation regulating hypothesis, the predator pit hypothesis, and the stable limit cycle hypothesis. There is much research literature that discusses how these hypotheses can be used to interpret various data sets obtained from field studies. It was concluded that the predation limiting hypothesis fit most study cases, but that more research is necessary to account for multiple predator - multiple prey relationships. The effects of predation can have an enormous impact on the ecological organization and structure of communities. The processes of predation affect virtually every species to some degree or another. Predation can be defined as when members of one species eat (and/or kill) those of another species. The specific type of predation between wolves and large ungulates involves carnivores preying on herbivores. Predation can have many possible effects on the interrelations of populations. To draw any correlations between the effects of these predator-prey interactions requires studies of a long duration, and statistical analysis of large data sets representative of the populations as a whole. Predation could limit the prey distribution and decrease abundance. Such limitation may be desirable in the case of pest species, or undesirable to some individuals as with game animals or endangered species. Predation may also act as a major selective force. The effects of predator prey coevolution can explain many evolutionary adaptations in both predator and prey species. The effects of wolf predation on species of large ungulates have proven to be controversial and elusive. There have been many different models proposed to describe the processes operating on populations influenced by wolf predation. Some of the proposed mechanisms include the predation limiting hypothesis, the predation regulating hypothesis, the predator pit hypothesis, and the stable limit cycle hypothesis (Boutin 1992). The purpose of this paper is to assess the empirical data on population dynamics and attempt to determine if one of the four hypotheses is a better model of the effects of wolf predation on ungulate population densities. The predation limiting hypothesis proposes that predation is the primary factor that limits prey density. In this non- equilibrium model recurrent fluctuations occur in the prey population. This implies that the prey population does not return to some particular equilibrium after deviation. The predation limiting hypothesis involves a density independent mechanism. The mechanism might apply to one prey - one predator systems (Boutin 1992). This hypothesis predicts that losses of prey due to predation will be large enough to halt prey population increase. Many studies support the hypothesis that predation limits prey density. Bergerud et al. (1983) concluded from their study of the interrelations of wolves and moose in the Pukaskwa National Park that wolf predation limited, and may have caused a decline in, the moose population, and that if wolves were eliminated, the moose population would increase until limited by some other regulatory factor, such as food availability. However, they go on to point out that this upper limit will not be sustainable, but will eventually lead to resource depletion and population decline. Seip (1992) found that high wolf predation on caribou in the Quesnel Lake area resulted in a decline in the population, while low wolf predation in the Wells Gray Provincial Park resulted in a slowly increasing population. Wolf predation at the Quesnel Lake area remained high despite a fifty percent decline in the caribou population, indicating that mortality due to predation was not density-dependent within this range of population densities. Dale et al. (1994), in their study of wolves and caribou in Gates National Park and Preserve, showed that wolf predation can be an important limiting factor at low caribou population densities, and may have an anti-regulatory effect. They also state that wolf predation may affect the distribution and abundance of caribou populations. Bergerud and Ballard (1988), in their interpretation of the Nelchina caribou herd case history, said that during and immediately following a reduction in the wolf population, calf recruitment increased, which should result in a future caribou population increase. Gasaway et al. (1983) also indicated that wolf predation can sufficiently increase

Program Development And Director(articles T Be Read) Article

Program Development And Director(articles T Be Read) Article Program Development And Director(articles T Be Read) – Article Example Program Development and Director al Affiliation Data collection and analysis is the focal part of any research. However, during a study the participants may encounter several challenges that could affect the data collection and analysis. An analysis of Celine Mercier’s work on the multi-component program aimed at improving health and social services to the homeless several challenges manifested. First, the program was complex due to its magnitude. Finance also posed a serious challenge; the plan was forced to operate on a limited budget (Mercier 1997). Teams were required to produce reports regularly and on a timely basis. Additionally, in the data collection and analysis the qualitative approach taken resulted in some level of anxiety, as it does not offer the participants any control over the information collected during the study (Mercier 1997). Many of the individuals involved in the evaluation steering committee did not take part in the actual evaluation. Resulting in a d isconnect between planning and implementation. These challenges affected data collection and analysis. Finance could be a challenge to my study. To monitor and evaluate a child and family welfare would require constant data collection, storage and evaluation. To tackle this challenge proposal for funding would be presented to various child and family welfare organization to help bridge any deficit in the budget. Witken (1994) suggests that a need assessment should be done before the actual evaluation is commences. Needs assessment will enable the identification of the study group as well as all the resources required to assess this population (Witken, 1994) Due to the difficulty in accessing finances, a needs assessment is necessary before the actual evaluation. Financial challenges in needs assessment have however, reduced largely. Needs assessment targets a particular portion of any population, and there has been increased interest to fund studies on particular groups within the s ociety. Nevertheless, there are still numerous challenges facing needs assessment. There exists no clear distinction between need and demands of the target population. Experts also tend to confuse primary and secondary needs. The research has thus over the years focused on second and third level needs while completely ignoring the primary needs. Written questionnaires followed by structured interviews are the methods used to conduct needs assessment. However, scholars argue that the use of only these two methods does not represent the true picture since different methods are bound to produce varying lists of needs. These are some of the shortcomings of needs assessment when compared to project evaluation. A needs assessment model is necessary before an evaluation is done. Berberet (2006) proposes that an integrated needs assessment model should have various aspects. Firstly, the needs assessment should employ qualified personnel (Berberet, 2006) the qualified workforce will then be able to collect data, analyze the data and provide results. A good team should invest time, money and exercise perseverance. Data collection is considered the most important aspect of the needs assessment study. The data aids in the determination of the needs of the target population, the service provider can use the data to allocate resources appropriately and plan all activities in line with the data collected.References Berberet, H. (2006). A Model Of Integrated Assessment of Need and Programme Planning. Putting the Pieces together for Queer Youth, 85(2), 361-384. Mercier, C. (1997). A Case Study. Participation in Stakeholder-Based Evaluation, 20(4), 467-475. Witken, R. (1994). The State of the Practice. Needs Assessment Since 1981, 1(1), 17-26.

Organisational Structure and Change ( MANAGEMENT Subject ) Essay

Organisational Structure and Change ( MANAGEMENT Subject ) - Essay Example It is logical to think about the relevance of the Toyota way into industries outside the manufacturing sphere as well – Services organizations like Banks and Software companies have tried and assimilated the ‘factory’ model of Toyota as well as the ‘Lean’ manufacturing principles. What follows here, is a critical analysis of the pro’s and con’s of adopting the Toyota operative model into the service industry, particularly banks. The Toyota experience spells a success story and a story of survival with sheer grit, persistence and tenacity amidst periods of fluctuating fortunes across the decades. Likewise, fabled banks have their own stories of how they have (and have not) survived to this day. If one were to explore the validity of Toyota’s fundamental principles and their applicability to the Banking industry, the following aspects seem pertinent: a) Governance and Ethics are the pillars of Toyota – needless to assert, these have been the sustainers and destroyers of Banks today, especially in the context of the economic turmoil of the past few months. Banks that were seemingly invincible just a year ago have bitten the dust and sunk without a trace. Hence, Toyota, in stark contrast, demonstrates what strong governance and ethics can do for a company’s survival. b) Back from the brink and flourishing thereafter – Toyota almost collapsed during the Korean War and was saved only because of an order of trucks that came from the US army in 1950 – Toyota has ‘never’ forgotten this bitter lesson and the company thrives to this day on what it proudly calls the value system of ‘presumptions of imperfection’ – others would term it as healthy paranoia.. In direct contrast, Banks have in recent times turned adventurous, invested recklessly, served bad credits, and quite simply, collapsed – Bringing in

Taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Taxation - Essay Example s taxation is replete with various complexities and disparities, while saving is discouraged in many ways, wherein simple interest-bearing accounts are meted out the harshest treatment, while the same time other types of savings are granted large-scale benefits for tax savings (Mirrlees, Adam, Besley, et al., 2012). This disparity and intricacy in tax treatment have led to the emergence of an industry that thrives on simply advising people on the nature of their savings allocation that is not based on the best form of underlying investments, but is more dependent on the form of tax treatment. In this context, the essay provides a brief review of the Mirrlees Review’s recommendation to provide a tax system with a neutral treatment of life-cycle savings for the vast majority of taxpayers. The Mirrlees Review aimed at addressing the challenge of designing a tax system that would enable the UK government to raise revenues necessary for achieving its distributional and spending objectives, while lowering its administrative and economic inefï ¬ ciencies and avoiding disparity in tax treatment across citizens and different types of economic activities. It main principle behind all its proposals was the framing of a progressive, neutral tax system, wherein the three words ‘progressive,’ ‘neutral,’ and ‘system’ form to be the important keywords that are suggestive of the main findings of the Review. Therefore, it can be suggested that first, policy makers must aim at designing a tax system that functions effectively as a ‘system.’ The way in which different taxes can be assembled together is important, as is a clarity regarding the role played by each tax within the system. Second, distribution plays a major role within the system of tax and beneï ¬ ts, similarly the trade-off between efficiency and redistribution is at the core of tax policy related debates. The redistribution ambit is ascertained by society’s choices and the system effect is based on

Final Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Final - Research Paper Example Summary of Literature Review The review of three different research articles has been conducted for supporting the proposed subject matter. Chow, Jaffee and Snowden in the year of 2003 concluded that in the High Poverty Areas African-American males, along with those individuals who belong to some other minority groups, are standing at odds to get the hold of quality mental health treatment on their own basis as compared to those African-Americans males who belong to the affluent community or Low Poverty Area’s (LPA). They further reported that the social service providers or agencies are most likely to provide such services to those who belong to HPAs; moreover, there are some cases in which law-enforcement agencies correspond with them to endow this community with certain mental health services than to the individuals in the LPAs. Chow, Jaffee & Snowden (2003) came up with all-inclusive outcomes in this regard for the male population of African-American’s in the United States by representing 30.3% of such incidences among the total sample population in their conducted survey; on the other hand, this representation with respect to the total populace is somewhere around 25%. The literature review above is a clear case of disparity in the legal system as well as disparity in the distribution of national resources. This should be a major case for worry people of the indication that not all people within the African American community receive the same treatment from State authorities. As a matter of fact, the health needs of the citizenry should be something that should be considered with the best of vigilance and fairness. This is because of the important role that quality healthcare plays in the economic and general development and growth of the country. It is observed that more health among the citizenry accounts for up to 12% of all cases of under production in various departments, organizations and companies (Chow, Jaffe and Snowden, 2003). The r elation that this statistics have with the above literature is that if the anomaly of healthcare provision disparities are not addressed, the high poverty areas of America will continue to experience poverty. This is because the indwellers will not be in a position to give off their best in working for the country. Contradicting to Chow et al, Thornton & Carter in the year of 1975 put forward their discussion in which they highlight the projected theme by establishing their firmly researched statements that the African-American males who come up with poor financial status clearly depict lack of access to mental health services for their mental illness just because of their poverty, diminutive social status and poor relations with the higher authorities and thus, they are exposed to such social discrimination by having minimal access to mental health services by all means. There are a plenty of researches and literatures in this context which evidently draw that for ensuring the acce ss of poor African-American to mental health services for their mental health treatments there must be an approach adopted by the concerned communal groups to endow the deprived African-Americans with the medical services so that they can meet their psychological needs and an unbiased environment could be established within the same community of people belonging to same race and creed. In inference, Chow et al, Thorn

Creative about recruiting

Creative about recruiting Question 1: How can Helen and Jesse be creative about recruiting top-notch people for the housekeeping department? Helen and Jesse have to create an atmosphere in which people believe in strategy, believe in management decisions, and believe in their work in order to create recruiting top-notch people for the housekeeping department. Additionally, people believe in management decisions, there is an enthusiasm within an organization. According to Chowdhury, 2000 such an atmosphere makes an organization do well; furthermore, successful leaders make this sort of environment equally inside and outside the organization. Jesse Rodriquez as a HR manager has to create a motivational atmosphere through setting a positive example through the utilization of good leadership practices. Moreover he must be good leader considering the fact that â€Å"leadership is a relationship through which one person influences the behavior or actions of other people† (Mullins, 2005) In addition Helen and Jesse must motivate potential employees because motivated employees help organizations to survive. Motivated employees are more productive. To be effective, Helen and Jesse need to understand what motivates employees within the context of the roles they perform. According to Maslow, employees have five levels of needs (Maslow, 1943): physiological, safety, social, ego, and self- actualizing. Maslow argued that lower level needs had to be satisfied before the next higher level need would motivate employees. Herzbergs work categorized motivation into two factors: motivators and hygienes (Herzberg, Mausner, Snyderman, 1959). Motivator or intrinsic factors, such as achievement and recognition, produce job satisfaction. Hygiene or extrinsic factors, such as pay and job security, produce job dissatisfaction. Furthermore, management team must make employees feel important and treat employees fairly and equitably. Moreover, the implement job satisfaction to their employees is required. Employees that feel they are a valued and integral part of the organization are likely to remain with the property for extended periods of time. Human resources manager must be good communicator team player and to power to his employees constantly and continue to improve overall group performance. Employees that believe their managers will lend support and reinforcement during challenging times are more likely to remain with the organization for the long term A good operating system and adequate training are essential. Employees need the proper tools and support to do the job. A performance-based compensation plan should be designed very carefully to ensure that your employees are encouraged to help build the business and are rewarded for their contributions, and provide as many extra benefits as possible. A positive corporate culture and a pleasant work environment are more important than money to most good employees. Question 2: What kind of support should Helen and Jesse ask the general manager to provide? The general manager has to support these ideas in order to give opportunity to these systems to be effective. Manager need to demonstrate a truthful sense of caring about employees and what is important to them. Manager has to help employees refocus on the demands of their roles and on the skills, knowledge and talents they bring to their jobs.. For employees to engage and commit to their employer, they need: A strong relationship with their manager; Clear communication from their manager; A clear path set for concentrating on what they do best; Strong co-worker relationships; A strong commitment to their co-workers so they will take risks and stretch for excellence; and Opportunities to learn and grow.

Lawyers’ Role in Dispute Resolution Essay -- Law Legal Lawyer

Lawyers’ Role in Dispute Resolution Modern American culture provides an inconsistent vision of the role of lawyers in dispute resolution. Lawyers are alternately portrayed as greedy, corrupt people without morals or as necessary and competent allies in protecting individuals against larger and better-funded opponents. In reality, while lawyers have the definite capability to change the outcome of a dispute in a negative way, they ultimately have a positive effect by allowing citizens access to the legal system. By its very nature, the legal system is confusing, puts the inexperienced at a disadvantage, and can be difficult to access for claimants with little authority. Lawyers provide a way to overcome these obstacles. They are beneficial because they effectively use their experience and education to help their clients, facilitate their client’s freedom in trial, aid in the formation of cases, and add authority and weight to a claim. The experience and education lawyers have is invaluable in providing legal access for their clients. Their knowledge and skill allow lawyers to effectively interpret the legal system and therefore help their clients navigate it. The American legal system, in the two hundred years it has been in existence, has become extremely complex and confusing to the uninitiated. The trial process alone can become a Byzantine series of motions, objections, briefs, and rulings. Despite the fact that defendants are allowed to represent themselves, the very structure of the system is so complicated that being or employing a professional lawyer is all but necessary. Legal documents, too, are so confusing that even non-trial disputes can be impossible for a layman to handle. A lawyer’s training i... ...nore, Peter d’Errico, Ethan Katsh, Ronald M. Pipkin, Janet Rifkin (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002) 76-83. Langum, David J. â€Å"William M. Kunstler: The Most Hated Lawyer in America, Introduction to Legal Studies: A Reader, ed. Thomas Hilbink, 2005, 83-97. Haltom, William. Michael McCann, â€Å"Distorting the Law: Politics, Media, and the Litigation Crisis,† Introduction to Legal Studies: A Reader, ed. Thomas Hilbink, 2005, 23-46. Menkel-Meadow, Carrie. â€Å"The Transformation of Legal Disputes by Lawyers: What the Dispute Paradigm Does and Does Not Tell Us,† Before the Law: An Introduction to the Legal Process. Ed. Stephen Arons, John J Bonsignore, Peter d’Errico, Ethan Katsh, Ronald M. Pipkin, Janet Rifkin (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002) 478-480 Toobin, Jeffrey. â€Å"Killer Instinct,† Introduction to Legal Studies: A Reader, ed. Thomas Hilbink, 2005, 251-260.