Effect Eruption of Mount Toba Not Severe

Giant eruption of Mount Toba 74,000 years ago happened sparked debate among scientists. The debate mainly revolved around the effects of the eruption of the volcano.

Previous studies on the eruption of Mount Toba said that 74,000 years ago that led to darkening skies and lower temperatures by 10 degrees Celsius for half a decade. Anthropologists also said the eruption was also affecting the process of human evolution, causing a phenomenon called genetic bottleneck, a condition when the population of certain species killed or inhibited the reproduction.

However, studies conducted by some scientists later said that the effects of the Toba eruption is not as bad as expected. Based on research results volcano Stephen Self Open University in Milton Keynes, England, and Michael Rampino paleobiology expert from New York University, USA, for example, decreasing the temperature of the earth is only between 3 and 5 degrees celsius.

Anthropological research by Michael Petraglia of the University of Oxford UK also mentions the controversial results. Results from studies based on the condition of one of the archaeological sites in India, it mentions that the humans who live near Mount Toba in fact able to survive and survive more easily.

Recently, an expert on climate modeler from the Max-Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg, Germany, Claudia Timmreck, conducted a study to see again the effects of the Toba eruption. He created a climate model that is said to resemble climatic conditions after the eruption of Toba in those days. The study focuses on aerosol sulfate particles formed from sulfur dioxide gas, the particles that cause the reflection of sunlight, causing temperatures cooling the Earth.

Based on research data, it is known that the Mount Toba out 850 million metric tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. The study also concluded that the effects of the eruption of Mount Toba is not as bad as expected so far. Decrease the temperature of the Earth, for example, only between 3 and 5 degrees celsius globally. Extreme temperature changes occur only in Africa and India for two years, with the temperature reduced to 10 degrees celsius in the first year and 5 degrees Celsius in the second year.

The results, published in Geophysical Research Letters latest edition November also showed that the accumulation of sulfur particles in the air also will disappear in a few years. F also said that the eruption was not until the finish of the population of flora and fauna there. However, the incident made many life processes are recognized to be difficult.

Responding to these findings, Petraglia agree that the effects of the Toba eruption is bad. However, its impact on humans is not so serious. "The population (men) survived, but face poor environmental conditions for several years," he said. He also said, needs to be done also observation field as the advanced stage of research.

Meanwhile, Stanley Ambrose of the University of Illinois who agree with the occurrence of the phenomenon of genetic bottleneck Timmreck said that the study has weaknesses. For one thing, researchers started research with modern climate conditions, not simulate climatic conditions 74,000 years ago. (HERMAWAN)

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Solar Panel on Space, Is it Possible?

Finding the solution of energy crisis now facing, a new plan triggered the use of solar power. With the new plan, direct sunlight will be collected in space using satellites and eventually fired directly into the earth to be used.

The initiative is the plan came from former Indian President APJ Kalam and the National Space Society (NSS). The plan was disclosed on Thursday, November 4th ago.

"The collection of space-based solar power will transform the earth into a clean planet, promising and happy," Kalam said while attending the press conference that plan.

The plan itself in detail is launching a satellite that has a large solar panel. The satellite will collect solar energy in large quantities and then convert it into microwaves that will be emitted into the earth. microwaves that then is converted into electrical energy by the receiving antenna is called rectenna.

Space-based solar panels that can be directed to various regions of the earth and not be affected by changes in weather and change of day and night. It is said by Mark Hopkins, chairman of the National Space Society's executive committee.

Hopkins also said the technology is able to transmit large amounts of energy without endangering the environment. "This technology does not produce carbon dioxide. So it is very clean and is a renewable energy source," he said.

Although very promising, the development of this technology is still facing technical constraints. However, kalam continue to believe that this idea can still be realized in the next 15 years. He will try to persuade the G8 countries and the G13 to join and implement the idea.

Arcing plan marks a joint United States, represented by the Indian NSS. The originator of the idea of trust, the execution of this plan is not only beneficial in terms of energy. "This collaboration will also create jobs in both countries," said Hopkins.

In this cooperation, the United States will contribute in starter technology while India will play a role in spearheading the production costs are cheap.

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Bali !!! Young Innovators Contest

Young Innovator Contest (YIC) 5 which is held by the Indonesian Institute of Science Saturday (6/11/10) has led to one group as the first winner. They are participants of SMU Negeri 4 Denpasar, consisting of Ni Wayan Surya, Insan Yuniari, and Pilar DY Kusumah.

They carry the theme "The Role of Correlation Analysis of Community and Tourists on Sustainability of Coral Reefs in the village of Pemuteran." In this competition, they brought the results of research conducted during September 2010.

Desa Pemuteran, as object of research is a village in North Bali area.

Telling the village, Surya said, "Ten years ago, many village residents that the majority Pemuteran much work as fishermen who use poison to catch fish and potassium, so that damage coral reefs." According to him, it was done because people do not have other employment options. Desa Pemuteran arid land that can not be tilled.

The village began to change when around the year 2000, there are outside parties that educate the public. "At that time there are foreign tourists who come. Tourist officials revealed at Pemuteran village that could be a good tourist attraction, but there should be advance environmental improvement," says solar.

Village officials then communicate these opinions tourists. "The people in there and then became unconscious after hearing the explanation of village officials. They were thinking, if the sea is broken, they were unable to find food from the sea," said Surya.

A program to improve the condition of coral reefs and build strength in Pemuteran then arrange tours. Initially, the program was only implemented from the financial aid of foreign tourists. But eventually some parties such as nongovernmental organizations involved in the program. Its own program designed to involve the local community.

"The program is to make implantation of coral reefs as a package tour. How, tourists are taught mengimplantasi coral reefs. They can also write their names on the base plate are coral reefs, have reports of development and certification," explained the solar system about the program

Thanks to the program, Surya said, people also began tersejahterakan. Many people involved in the management of a tourist attraction as the party who teach make coral reefs and dive equipment rental. From there they can earn a living and ongoing conservation program.

Affirming the story, in a presentation Surya said that the restoration and preservation of coral reefs is closely correlated with the role of the community and tourists. The values adopted by local communities also play a big say in an effort to improve the condition of the village which was originally damaged.

As winners, the three teenagers from Bali will be entitled to a cash prize of Rp 12 million. They have won the competition after going through a presentation and question and answer session is quite stressful with four panelists from the media and NGOs.

Asked one of the panelists about the projection Pemuteran Village as a tourist attraction next 10 years, Surya said, "I'm sure Pemuteran would be a good tourist attraction and can shine."

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Do Not Sale Rare Orchids Quit

BANJARMASIN, Chairman of the Indonesian Orchid Association Hj Mufidah Jusuf Kalla asked for orchids in the forest that still exist are not sold overseas, to meet the domestic demand is fulfilled. This he said on the sidelines of the exhibition "Anggrek Meratus Orchid" Show in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Wednesday (11/03/2010).

So far, many orchids are sold abroad, either through direct purchase to the merchant of orchids in Indonesia, as well as researchers who had come to seek new orchid species in Indonesia. Mountains Meratus itself, is known as a center of orchid in South Kalimantan.

"There are an estimated 2000-3000 Indonesian orchid species in Borneo, and some live in Meratus. Orchid is steadily decreasing due to the exploitation of natural resources," said Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council PAI Kalsel Rosehan Aida.

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Endangered Cockatoo

BOGOR, Parrots in Indonesia who are spread in the Wallacea region are threatened with extinction at various levels. Three of the seven types of parrots are endemic (only found in Indonesia) is an embarrassment cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), a white cockatoo (Cacatua alba), and Tanimbar cockatoo (Cacatua goffiniana). Meanwhile, the cockatoo yellow-crested (Cacatua sulphurea), who was also present in Timor-Leste, have the highest keterancaman status, which is critical.

Similarly, a press release issued by Indonesian Bird, who signed Fahrul P Amama, Communication and Media Relations Bird Indonesia, on Monday (1/11/2010). Birds of Indonesia or Indonesian Wild Bird Conservation Society is a nonprofit organization that works with Bird Life International (based in UK) which focuses on job preservation of bird species threatened with extinction.

In a press release that explained, Indonesia as a country with high biological richness perched in first place as the country with the number of bird species threatened with extinction and most widely due to excessive exploitation. Various types of parrots are exported to other parts of Indonesia to meet human pleasure. The earliest records in the 15th century, there was the first cockatoo transportation to Europe via the waters of the archipelago which was then called the East Indies.

In addition to arrests and international trade are not paying attention to the sustainability of populations to recover, the types of parrots and other crooked beak in Indonesia still have to face the threat of forest openings for other functions. Each year, in the period 2006 to 2009, deforestation rates reached 31 million hectares per year.

The three types of parrots that it is can also be found in secondary forests or forests that have undergone the process of logging. In fact, the white cockatoo is considered quite tolerant to forest modification. However, all three in desperate need of natural forest cover with canopy cover tightly, especially the availability of large trees as nests.

IBA 227

Bird Life International as the scientific authority of The World Conservation Union (IUCN) for all species of birds in the world rate, three of the seven types of cockatoos in Indonesia is facing the threat of extinction. The three types of parrots are facing a variety of pressures that can destroy their populations in the wild.

For that, as a conservation organization with the largest partnership network, Bird Life International to develop a conservation program based on accepted standards and criteria and can be applied globally. These conservation programs not only recognize, document, and protect critical network areas for birds, but also against other living resources. The program is known as an Important Bird Area (IBA) or Important Areas for Birds (IBA).

With the 227 important bird areas (excluding New Guinea), Indonesia has the IBA / IBA largest in Southeast Asia, followed by Philippines (117 IBA) and Vietnam (63 IBA). Areas important for birds in Indonesia spread across Java and Bali (53 DPB), Nusa Tenggara (43 DPB), Sumatra (40 DPB), Maluku (36 DPB), Sulawesi (32 DPB), and Kalimantan (23 DPB).

In general, half bent in Asia and Latin America now also facing a similar threat. Since the mid-17th century to early 19th century, accounting for nineteen species have disappeared crooked beak. Hunting as a feed and pet is suspected as the main causes. Other factors causing the extinction of crooked beak is introduced mammals and the loss of natural forest cover.

Parrot is a bird group that is easily recognizable from its physical characteristics: part of a more curved and strong, and type zygodactyl toes (two toes forward and two pointing backwards.) Unlike the other crooked beak, the group has crested cockatoo and the dominant coat color that is less diverse, such as white, black, ash, and combinations.

Scientifically, they are divided into three groups, namely Cacatuinae (cockatoo), Calyptorhynchinae (black cockatoo), and Nymphicinae (Cockatiel).

Cockatoo diversity center located in tropical Australasia (Australia, Papua, and Wallacea). Of the 21 types of parrots in the world, Indonesia has 7 species. Three types of them exist only on Indonesia.

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