7A_Biogeography

__**Biogeography**__ As a result of the unique geographical history of South East Asia, this area contains a very large and special diversity of species. This was once a huge, single landmass. Pleistocene, melting of glacier (rising seas) -> islands.

Animals and Plants were isolated when the land mass became islands. Stewards of something bigger, and more significant. Not just guardians of one small patch.

Takes 100 years to reach its height, disperse seeds for 30m.

- __**Biological Magnification / Mass Impact**__ The Story of Minamata: (the turning point of the pollution issue in Japan) Mercury poisoning: the Minamata DIsease was identified 50 years ago in Japan, but thousands of victims are still fighting for compensation. It's a disease that affects the central nervous system. It's located on the western coast of .. Fishing (1930s) was the main industry, fish was the main source of protein in that village. In order to raise people above the poverty level, development. Chisso company came. They emptied their by-products (mercury chloride) straight into the Bay of Minamata. They were producing the chemical to produce plastic. Details: The chemical reaction used to produced the acetaldehyde used mercury sulfate as a catalyst. A side reaction of the catalytic cycle led to the production of a small amount of an organic mercury compound, namely methyl mercury. This highly toxic compound was released into Minamata Bay. Water: 0.02 ppm of DDT; Plankton(any floating organism in water. Jellyfish is the largest): 5ppm of DDT; Fish: 250ppm of DDT; Grebes: 1600ppm of DDT. History: After WWII, (about 1952) the production of acetaldehyde boomed. Local economy bommed - and most residents welcomed their improved lifestyles. About the same time, fish began to float in Minamata Bay. Chisso, as it had since 1925, continued to pay indemnity to local fishermen for potential damage to their profits. From around 1950s onwards, cats had been seen to have convulsions, go mad and die. Locals called it the 'cat dancing disease' owing to their erratic movement. This bizarre behavoiur sometimes resulte in their falling into the sea. People stumble while walking, not be able to write or button their buttons, have trouble hearing or swallowing, or tremble uncontrollably. CIty government and various medical practitioners formed the Strange DIsease Conter-measures Committee at the end of May 1956. Owing ot the localized nature of the ..... (they thought it was the gods; couldn't do anything to help; ostracized the family). Children were also born with the "disease", and it spread geographically. Direct evidence that mercury from the Chisso plant waws responsible, however, dit not emerge until by 1959 by Dr. Hajime Hosokawa (was very loyal to his company, until he died, then he released when he died). Only sued them in the 1970s. Chisso now still operates in Minamata and now produces chemicals, fertilizer and floppy discs (good, because they still can pay the compensation). The disease affected growing children more severely than adults. In fact, five children, ages 5-11, who had collected shellfish from the shore while playing, were the first documented cases. - This isn't just happening in Minamata, but also in other developing countries in the world.

- Easter Island: when the population exceeds the carrying capacity of the land. Now, the "cash" is fuel, and it is an infinite resource. One day it'll run out. When societies move on to an economic path that is environmentally unfavorable, the population will end up suffering.

(look up carrying capacity of the Earth/Singapore. and Oil palms.)