Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition of Carrots - 3850 Words

Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition of Carrots and Lawn Grass in the Ecosystem (Essay Sample) Content: Students NameCourseInstructorDateInterspecific and Intraspecific Competition of Carrots and Lawn Grass in the EcosystemAbstractThis paper revolves around the investigation on the importance and the effects of both intraspecific and interspecific competition among different plants. The plants used in this experiment were the carrot and the lawn grass in a mixed population. Indeed the resources in the ecosystem are in limited supply. The paper is divided into several sections with the introduction, methods, results discussion and the conclusion section. The introduction has the aims and objectives plus a short historical background. The methods will provide the materials and the procedure used while the results section contains the data collected and a few descriptions to the data. Finally the discussion section will answer the discussion questions of the paper. The conclusion gives the end product remarks on the viability of the experimental procedure in general. The i ssue in the paper eventually calls for a stiff competition for the limited resources by the organisms that inhabit such ecosystems. From this, competition therefore, is defined as the interaction that is always very detrimental to both the participants. This is as much as the competition escalates will there be very limited supply of these resources into the same ecosystem. In most natural habitats, the population of such animals is usually regulated by the limited supply of resources in the same habitats or ecosystems. IntroductionMost resources in the ecosystem are in limited supply. This thus calls for a stiff competition for the limited resources by the organisms that inhabit such ecosystems. From this, competition therefore, is defined as the interaction that is always very detrimental to both the participants. This is as much as the competition escalates will there be very limited supply of these resources into the same ecosystem. In most natural habitats, the population of su ch animals is usually regulated by the limited supply of resources in the same habitats or ecosystems. It is not a must that the competition between individuals of an ecosystem is always present, but this phenomenon usually crop up once the resources in these areas lie in limited supply as compared to the number and size of the population that really require them (Batra 67).Two types of competition are present in the ecology field. These are intraspecific competition and the interspecific competition. The intraspecific competition occurs between members of the same species and in close proximity in an ecosystem while the interspecific competition occurs between different members of specie in a population in close proximity. The interspecific competition clarifies that should two competing members of a population co exist together, yet they are not interbreeding, then one population must be wiped away. However, this will only take place if the two species share a common ecological ni che and resources are shared among the very species in a very competitive way as expected. All in all, these two opposing populations may partition this same environment and co exists together without wiping out one of the species in the ecosystem. The reverse only happens when such competitive situations are taken to the extreme. Under the peaceful co existence of such organisms, each one will simply specialize in a way to take part just a portion of the environment in a rather competitive environment where all of the organisms would rush in order to compete for the limited resources in the ecosystem. An example would when plants tend to compete for the same resources like light, carbon dioxide and water plus the limited resources in soil, then they adopt mechanisms like deep roots or different maturity times in season in order to avoid such unnecessary competitions. Competition among the higher plants look much easier to study in most ecological niches as these plants are always s tationery and may not move to other places or ecosystems should competition in such areas grow to some unimaginable heights. Therefore, there is the need for better adaptation survival during competitions from plants as opposed to the animals that will merely migrate to other ecosystems should competition grow rife (Batra 60).There have great strides in the development of the agricultural sector owing to both the interspecific and intraspecific competition among different plants. Indeed most biotechnology researches are purely based on this phenomenon and a number of new survival tactics are yearly being invented as a result of the competition among different plant species. This is because most plants are grown in a way that they have to maximize the limited available resources in the environment in one way or the other depending on the locality and environment in which the plant is localized. Biotechnologists use this mechanism to use the limited resources at their disposal for the best economic gain so far. This is what evidently yields the so called Genetically Modified Organisms (The GMOs). It is however, important to be very cautious in such activities in order to avoid any mishaps or overexploitation of these plant reserves in the ecosystem. Overexploitation would great reduce the yields in the near future. The limited availability of the ground resources on the surface of the earth leads to the increased biomass allocation to the roots of these plants and at the same time the shades lead to the biomass allocations in the leaves. This explains the reasons as to why the competition of the allocation of biomass tends to be equal for both below the ground and above the ground (Batra 98).Aims and Objectives of the StudyThe paper aims at the understanding and underscoring the effects of both interspecific and intraspecific competition in the plant ecosystems. It seeks to address the reasons behind the intraspecific competition in plants where these plants are influenced by their mode of feeding in the growth and the biomass allocation in each and every plant in an ecosystem. Hypothetically, one would imagine that if the resources in an ecosystem are limited, then with the number and size of organisms outweighing this ecosystem; probably an imbalance in the feeding relationship between these plants would inevitable. This is because as much as the plants are growing in number does their competition increases especially to the underground biomass of the soil on the surface of the earth. This takes a different twist from what is believed to existing in the animals kingdom as the animals are never stationery at a specific ecosystem, but could from ecosystem to ecosystem to counteract the effects of the great competition poised by the increase in the number of competing species in the same environment. This implies the below biomass allocation on the roots would be greater in order for the plants to compete better in this ecosystem if these p lants are competing for the resources that are underground like minerals, water and other important ions in the ground. The same would be echoed for the plants that compete for the resources allocation above underground as they would be expected to have a larger and weird biomass allocation in the shoots of the plants. These two major issues form the hypothesis to this paper. The other important aim of the paper is to evaluate and investigate the effect of the intraspecific competition among plants especially in terms of the population number and size of these plants. Could this take the same phenomenon taken by the animals in one way or another? Specifically for this practical, we will use two plant species that are the grass and the carrot. These plants would be grown in the same pot that would act the as the main ecosystem or habitat to these plants. The plants will utilize their total productivity from the same pot. The pot acts as an ecosystem with very limited resources and th e plants have to compete for the same limited resources just as it would happen in a normal natural ecosystem. This tries to investigate the fact as to whether the population in an ecosystem with limited resources will hold a population whether just one big plant in the pot or a number of smaller plants in the same pot. Finally the paper aims at investigating the effect of the interspecific competition. It tries to investigate as to whether the presence of another plant in the ecosystem will adversely affect the production of a species in the same ecosystem. Could this same effect be dependent on the density of the other population in this same ecosystem?Materials and MethodsThe materials and requirements for this practical study comprised of the main target plant species in the experiment that was the domestic carrot (Daucus Carota). The growth and behaviour of this carrot plant concentrated on the study on the population changes in the ecosystem that was the pot. The interspecific competition existed between the carrot and the lawn grass. This lawn grass is a cross breed between the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and the blue grass Kentucky (Poa pratensis).Experimental ProcedureSix treatments were set up just at the begging of the month of June. These consisted of one, four or sixteen carrot plants per pot. They were either combined with or without grass. This is illustrated in the diagrams on figure 1. The grasses consisted of 2 mg premium seed lawn grass mixture which was made from the mixture or cross breed between perennial ryegrass and that of blue grass Kentucky. Each of the treatments was replicated about four times giving a total of twenty four pots of the treatments. To maintain reliability and accuracy in the results, the pots were all of the same size and shape. The trials were collected and the values of measurement provided in tables that were used in the calculations of the measures of central ...

Company analysis Paper - 275 Words

Company analysis (Research Paper Sample) Content: Company Analysis: Abu Dhabi Oil CompanyStudentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s NameGrade CourseTutorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s Name(24, November 2013)Outline 1 Executive Summary 2 Introduction: Abu Dhabi Oil Company 3 External analysis 1 PESTEL ANALYSIS 2 Five Forces Analysis 3 Impact of national culture 4 SWOT analysis 4 Generic building blocks of competitive advantage 5 Distinctive competencies 6 Differentiation strategy 7 Addressing potential problems 5 Stakeholder Analysis 6 Recommendations 7 Conclusion 8 ReferencesAbu Dhabi Oil Company: Company AnalysisEXCUTIVE SUMMARYAbu Dhabi Oil Company has distinct advantages that can propel it to new heights of growth. There are many opportunities that it can exploit to further its dominance in the local and regional market. The company is State-owned. It therefore enjoys goodwill from the government. Additionally, the government possesses better and effective machineries that the company can deploy for growth. However, association with the government makes the company vulnerable to internal political developments. Abu Dhabi Oil Company has a large and highly competent workforce. This makes it easier for the company to innovate and remain ahead of competitors. The vast natural resources and availability of new prospect in sun and wind energy provides fresh impetus for growth. Similarly, the company has embraced modern technology in its operations. The company enjoys legitimacy and goodwill of the people because of its commitment to corporate social responsibility. However, the company must deal with several threats and challenges. The oil and gas industry is very competitive and entrants of new competitors mean that the company has to grapple with many threats. Additionally, the company must remain cognizant of the dynamic cultural issues that might hurt its image and reputation. It is recommendable that the company ventures into new and less competitive markets in order to reduce overspending through advertisement in an over saturated market.Introduction to Abu Dhabi Oil CompanyAbu Dhabi Oil Company started in 1971 with operations in exploration and processing of oil and natural gas. Since then, the company has increased its activities to include transportation and shipping. The Supreme Petroleum Council runs Abu Dhabi Oil Company. The company has many local and abroad subsidiaries and it produces 2.8 million barrels of oil daily (Maguire 2007). The broadening of operation has spurred growth and the company ranks top ten in oil and gas production. In the last three decades, the company has enhanced its competitiveness by increasing its operations. Maguire (2007, p.7) cites "transportation, shipping, marketing and distribution" as the new activities, that Abu Dhabi Oil Company has ventured. The company has intensified efforts in exploration of new and unexploited resources. However, the management, led by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, has spearheaded efforts to maintain the balance between resources in the earth crust and peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s needs. ADNOC manages its reservoir prudently in accordance to HSE standards in the Arabian Gulf region. Other ADNOC subsidiaries as cited by Fleigh (2008, p.4) are "ADCO, ADMA-OPCO, GASCO, ADGAS, TAKREER, NDC, ESNAAD, IRSHAD, FERTIL, BOROUGE, NGSCO, ADNATCO and ADNOC Distribution.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ADNOC produces gas and oil from six major fields. Maguire (2007, p.6) categorizes the fields as "Asab, Sahil, Shah, Bab, Buhaha, and North-East Bab consisting of Dabbiya, Rumaitha, and Shanayel." The companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s strategy is to develop technical capacity to satisfy and exceed customersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ needs by providing energy, transportation and shipping solutions. ADNOC upholds business ethics and follows a set of core values. These values include honesty and integrity, developing people, working together, excellence, accountability and communication. The company expects all stakeholders to follow the core values. The company has many employees, wi th 19,300 working directly for it. It employs people from diverse cultural backgrounds. United Arabs Emirates is cosmopolitan because of the high percent of immigrants and expatriates. The employment policy at ADNOC reflects this diversity in culture.External and Internal AnalysisPESTEL and Porters Five Forces Analysis provide the best model for external analysis of a company. PESTEL is acronym for political, economic, social, technological and environment factors that affect performance of a company. Five forces analysis, a tool developed by Porter, investigate how factors outside a company affect its performance. This section will employ the two tools to explore the current and future opportunities and challenges that face ADNOC.PESTEL ANALYSISAs mentioned earlier, UAEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s government owns ADNOC. Any political development in the country thus affects the company. In 1998 for instance, the government decided to reduce the number of expatriates in jobs that the local populatio n can do. Low (2012) terms this process as Emiratilization. It sought to increase the number of Emirates natives in the company. UAE government political decisions have affected overseas subsidiaries. Whenever the government is in frosty relations with another country, there is always uncertainty over backlashes that may have consequences on the company. Additionally, political instability in some countries undermines expansion. Morocco and Libya for instance have had political upheavals that hurt ADNOC.Economically, Abu Dhabi Oil Company has a big financial base. The company contributes over 65% of UAEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s gross domestic income. This has allowed it to expand its operations to many places where there are vast natural resources. Additionally, financial capability has made it possible for the company to diversify its activities to include shipping and transportation. This cushions the company against losses when one sector of the economy is in turmoil. With the financial cris is facing United States and many parts of Europe, ADNOC has experienced slow growth. Whenever the prices of oil fluctuate, the company has experienced stagnation.Socially, Abu Dhabi Oil Company enjoys cordial relationship with the communities surrounding it. Low (2012) argues that companies engaging in corporate social responsibility enjoy legitimacy and goodwill from the neighboring communities. ADNOC engages actively with communities in areas of education scholarship, social amenities, and entertainment.Technologically, Abu Dhabi Oil Company has continued to embrace new methods of oil exploration, production, and processing. At the basic level, ADNOC has launched an electronic service to interact with employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders. The company is the first in the Arabian Gulf to use visualization technology. Pendlebury and Groves (2004, p.34) explain that this technology "assembles different technical disciplines to create a combined product that is greater than the sum of its partsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . The automation fields enhance coordination and speed in decision-making. Enhanced oil recovery technology allows the company to replenish its oil fields.Environmentally, Abu Dhabi Oil Company continues to abide by the Kyoto protocol that controls emission of carbon into the environment. The company has formulated Health, Safety, and Environment Policy to act as a blueprint in environmental conservation, prevention of occupational illness and adherence to local and international environmental laws. In spite of these efforts, UAE is one of the most polluted nations in the world (Kapoor, Paul Halder 2011). In 2009 alone, there were more than 40 oil spills in UAE.Legally, Abu Dhabi Oil Company faces little challenges. Because it is State-owned, it enjoys immunity against vexatious legal suits. However, the company does not enjoy similar immunity is its subsidiaries around the world. In United States for instance, labor and pollution laws are very stric t. This opens ADNOC to thorough scrutiny from labor unions and conservation groups.Five Forces AnalysisPorter Five forces analysis reveals that Abu Dhabi has many opportunities that can enable it remain competitive. The first force is the threat of new entrants. Oil and gas market industry is highly profitable and thus attracts many new firms. The more firms there are in an industry, the less profitable the market becomes. The incumbents in the market must therefore devise strategies to bar entry of new competitors or risk spiraling of profits towards zero. For the private sector, the best way to bar new entrants is to provide the highest quality in goods and services so that new entrants have nothing better to offer the market. For a State-owned company like Abu Dhabi Oil Company, keeping off new entrants is easier because the government can enact legislation to limit competition. ADNOC has managed to bar new entrants without resorting to unfair practices. One such method is throug h partnership with globally recognized brands. Abu Dhabi Oil Company has collaborated with Shell and British Oil, leading brands in oil and petroleum products. This presents an opportunity for current and future growth.The second force is the threat of substitute products or services. Other fuels can serve as substitutes for oil and gas. The fact that oil is a leading pollutant is pushing people to alternative fuels. Manufacturing industries are using nuclear and electricity energy, which are far efficient and cleaner. The production and increasing popularity of green energy portends a big threat to Abu Dhabi Oil Company.The third force is bargaining power of customers. When they are many companies producing the same goods and offering the same services, the bargaining power of customers increases. In the Arabian Gulf alone, there are many companies specializing in the same...