Invasive Species: Cane Toad

Cane Toads came to Australia from Hawaii in June, 1935 by the Bereau of Sugar Experiment Stations in order to control the cane beetle. They bred immediately in captivity and by August 1935 more than 102 young toads were released in areas around Cairns, Gordonvale and Innisfail in northern Queensland. Since their release, toads have rapidly multiplied in population and now number over 200 million and have been known to spread diseases affecting local biodiversity. As of 2005, ultraviolet light which attracts the moths the toads love has been used to lure and capture Cane Toads for extermination. In June 2006, the University  of Queensland announced research into a gene to reverse the sex of female cane toads. This would lead to a population of males, and thus eliminate the population.

An invasive species in the US is the Brown Tree Snake.


The Brown Tree Snake preys on native lizards and birds. It also causes frequent power outages by climbing on electrical wires. They were introduced to the US accidentally on imported cargo. Many people out there are trying their best to try and capture these pests and reduces their snake problem.

Rabbit Proof Fence

Rabbit Proof Fence

1. In chapter 3 of the story, the Aboriginal populations face many injustices caused by the European white settlers. Some of the rights that were being violated were rights such as, Free Movement in and out of the Country, when Bidgup was saying "We cant go down along our hunting trails, they are blocked by fences... And when we climbed over the fence, one of those men pointed guns at us and threatened to shoot if we went in there again." So, the Aboriginals are being told where they can or cannot go. They were also deprived of the right to Equality Before the Law, when an old man Udja had his wife stolen by the white man, he did not receive the same form of justice under the white man's law.

2. The "civilizing" of Australia can mirror historical events in the United States in many ways. During the Manifest Destiny, the Americans were pushing the native Americans out of their land or trying to make them become more civilized. In Rabbit Proof Fence, the aboriginals were being forced out of their lands by the Europeans. This is violates the "right ot own property" law.

3. I do not believe that the government was morally justified in relocating the children of mixed decent. In doing so, the government is tearing families apart. This is a very selfish act because they arent thinking about how they are affecting the families and other communities.

Coral Bleaching/ Coral Reefs

                                 Video #1

1. What is a polyp? What does a polyp need to be concidered "coral"?
    -Polyp is the begining stages of coral. Hundreds of coral are needed for one coral.
2. What types of things are coral senitive to in the ocean?
     -Coral is extreamly sensative to climate change.
3. When does coral bleaching occur?
     -The coral bleaching occurs when the water stays warm for too long.
4. Why do scientists think that bleaching is occuring more now than ever?
     -Bleaching is happening now more due to climante change.
5. List three ways people can reduce their impact to climate change?
    -Three ways we can help are turning off lights, avoiding car journys, and recycling.


                          Video #2

1. How many species of : fish, hard coral, soft coral, sea brids, shore birds?
     -The reef has 1,500 speicies of fish, 360 hard corral,  one third of the worlds soft corral with 22 sea bird speicies and 32 shore birds.
 2.  What is responsible for warming our oceans?
     -Climate change is warming our oceans.
3. How does increased flooding affect the reefs and the fish and birds that live there?
     -Flooding causes fish to swim off to colder waters and causes birds to have less food.
4. List three additional ways (not listed above) that people can reduce climate change?
      -Dry clothes on the line, use public transportation, and open windows instead of air conditioners.

                        Video #3/4

1. Two reasons why we should use media to share this information is so that kids start doing theese things and so that everyone does these things not just people around trouble areas.  Downsides are that not everyone has accses to the media.

The Great Barrier Reef

1. The Great Barrier Reef is considered the "largest reef system on earth".
2. What compound does coral extract from the ocean to make solid tentacles?
     -The coral extracts Calcium Carbonate from the ocean.
3. How does red algae impact the stucture of a coral?
     - The red algae is what is used to make the coral.
4. What year did the Great Barrier Reef become a national park?
     - The Great Barrier Reef was named a national park in 1975.
5. What percentage of the reef is protected from fishing?
     - Around 33 percent of the reef is protected from any kind of fishing.
6. How old do scientists believe the CURRENT reef is? The ANCIENT reef?
     - The  current reef is estimated to be around 20,000 years old and the ancient reef is estimated as old as 500,00 years old.