Environmental Science - Final Exam/Fall 2009 Term

Topics: Philosophical Perspectives, Ethics and Society/ Chiras 13-24/Grizzly Years/Libby Montana/ and other Writings

Instructor: Mark Aronson

Due Date: December 12, 2009! Please note that these are the last

days to submit these exams (unless you are requesting an incomplete). If they are not turned in on these dates you will receive an "F" on the exam.

Instructions: Please answer the 4 questions with an asterisk (*); choose any 3 other questions, for a total of 7 questions, to complete the exam. Please note that the same format should be used on this exam as on the midterm (please refer to the midterm for details on citations and to the syllabus for the grading criteria!

1. Discuss the importance of environmental leaders like John Muir, Edward Abbey and Doug Peacock. What important messages have they given modern culture? What did you find personally engaging from their writings?

*2. Discuss Peacock’s perspective concerning the value of wilderness and our role as a species. Does Peacock’s perspective have its origins in modernity?

3. Compare and contrast the works you read by Muir, Leopold, Abbey, Black Elk (Nick and Wallace) and Peacock. Discuss their views of "land" and "wilderness". Who is your favorite among these authors (based on the limited exposure you have to their work)?

4. Describe the methods of modern forestry. Include in your answer the advantages and disadvantages of each forestry practice. Why are forestry management practices of concern to environmentalists?

5. Tropical forests represent a large reservoir of underutilized timber. Why is it ecologically unsound to harvest most tropical forests? What are the potential long-term effects of deforestation in the tropics?

6. How is land use affected by unplanned and planned urban growth? Should any constraints be placed on this growth and, if so, how might this be done? Include examples of each problem in your answer.

7. What is multiple land use? Why is this an issue on federal lands? How does this concept affect the management of public lands?

8. Summarize the physical and biological events involved in the formation of soil. Why are grassland and forest soil profiles different? What processes have formed the

rich soils found in Iowa?

9. What kinds of water use are there in the United States? What environmental concerns are associated with each kind of use?

*10. Describe modern wastewater treatment methods. What are the environmental issues associated with wastewater management? What things can the average citizen do to minimize their environmental impacts?

11. Discuss local water quality issues. How does weather (i.e. Flooding) influence our behavior and decisions in drainage basins? Make some suggestions for improving surface and ground water quality and aquatic habitats locally.

12. What are hazardous materials? Why do we have to be concerned with the storage and disposal of these materials? Discuss the importance of the following legislation:

(1) U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA)

(2) U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)

13. What is the "greenhouse effect"? What are the greenhouse gases and how can their emissions be reduced? What can we do in our lives to reduce these emissions?

14. What are primary and secondary air pollutants? What is cross-media contamination? Give some examples of each.

15. Summarize the 1990 Clean Air Act. What are the major provisions and what consequences are expected from its implementation?

16. What is acid rain? Why are the forests and surface waters of Iowa at a reduced risk for damage than other areas (like the Canadian Shield)?

17. Why is recycling often cheaper than continuing to use more natural resources? What impacts are recycling expected to have on the environment? Give some local examples of recycling?

18. Discuss the environmental problems associated with our modern sources of energy. Discuss sustainable sources of energy and their advantages and disadvantages.

19. Discuss the importance of geological concepts in understanding the structure of ecosystems/communities. Pertinent topics might include: continental drift, glaciation, erosion, volcanism, parent material, topography, elevation, latitude, etc.. Local examples are welcomed in your answer.

20. Discuss the "land ethic proposed by Aldo Leopold. Has the western world adopted any part of this ethic?

21. What can you do at home to reduce your environmental impact? What have you done personally to minimize your environmental impact or to restore the environment? Do you actively discuss environmental issues with your friends? Do you think you can have an impact? Is the content of this course relevant to your life?

22. What ecological problems have their roots in modern economic theory? What are the alternatives to these problems? Do we need a new economic paradigm? Can sustainable development work? What can we do to rectify our unsustainable systems (request the Chiras article from me if you want to write this question)?

*23. What is Peacock’s War? Has Peacock been successful in his efforts? Why is his story so significant and relevant to understanding the concept of wilderness (i.e. why is Peacock important?)? Why are wild areas/wilderness important in our lives?

24. Discuss the habitat of the grizzly bear in Montana and describe the bear’s niche. Why is riparian habitat important to grizzlies?

25. Where do grizzlies go in the winter? What is significant about their biology at this time of year? What Indian legends surround this part of the bear’s life cycle? Why is the bear such a powerful symbol for our species?

26. List all the food items mentioned by Peacock that are used by grizzly bears. Which of these food items would you find in Iowa (would be endemic species)? What would the plains grizzlies of Iowa have eaten for food?

27. What is Peacock’s view of modern grizzly research? What problems are associated with the study of this large carnivore?

28. If you were camping in grizzly country, what things should you do to avoid an incident with a bear? What problems does Peacock suggest with the National Park Service policies in grizzly country?

*29. Discuss all the agencies who failed in the Libby, Montana asbestos disaster. Discuss why each agency/business failed to respond to the dangers of asbestos exposure. What can be done to prevent further such disasters?