Environmental Science Fall 2009/Aronson - Midterm Essay Exam Fall 2009
Due Date : )October 24th
Takehome Guidelines - Please note that all the guidelines below pertain to the Midterm and Final Exams.:
(1) You must answer the 3 questions that have an asterisk (*) to the left of the question.
(2) Choose 3 additional questions: from any category for a total of 6 questions.
(3) You will be graded on how you understand the concepts pertaining to each question. I will be looking for examples from class discussions, text readings, videos and accessory readings (class handouts). Any additional research may be added to the answers. Please follow scholarly conventions for the citing of material used in this exam (please see below). This exam should be submitted in essay form with APA or MLA style citations, double spaced with citations at the end of the exam; type no larger than 12 point.
(4) Exams can only be submitted to me electronically via e-mail. Please write your document in your work processor and attach the document to your e-mail. Please use the following form on the subject line of you e-mail (I will not accept the e-mail unless this form appears): Your Name, Class (Env. Science), Section (include one of the following: MWam, MWpm, Kahl), Name of assignment (Midterm Exam, etc.)
(5) Plagiarism (i.e. copying from the text or any other source) is prohibited and will result in a failing grade. Exams should reflect your individual effort; they are not to be done in groups!
(6) Late exams will be subject to a 10% reduction in grade if accepted.
(7) Every exam should include citations and a reference/notes section done in MLA or APA style (please see the links below for format/writing help:
MLA Guide: uw-madison writing center writer's handbook
APA Guide: http://webster.commnet.edu/apa/apa_index.htm
Chicago Style Manual: http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/cmosfaq.html#7
Procedure for writing a term paper: http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/termpapr.html
Human Ecology, Culture and Ethics
1. Discuss the three (or 4) primary states of cultural/societal development in our species. What ecological principles are involved in the cultural/demographic transition from one society to another? Do you think that there is a change in values and resulting behaviors associated with cultural transitions? Explain the ecological/environmental/ethical ramifications of these stages of societal change.
*2. Discuss the concept of sustainability. What ethical principles are part of a sustainable lifestyle? Why should we consider sustainability as a guiding principle of our environmental philosophy?
Ecological Principles
*3. Define trophic level, producer, consumer, food chain and food web and give examples of each concept. Explain why the trophic levels form a pyramid of energy, numbers and biomass?
4. Define the term niche. Why is this concept important in understanding competition between organisms? Why is intraspecific competition more fierce than interspecific competition? Give some examples to illustrate your answers.
5. Describe the process of succession. Explain the difference between primary succession and secondary succession. Give an example of the process from your readings.
6. Define the terms: intraspecific competition, interspecific competition, density-dependent mortality factors and density-independent mortality factors. Give an example of each concept in your answer.
7. Define the term carrying capacity. What ecological factors determine the K of a specific ecosystem for a species? How have our actions decreased the carrying capacity for many species?
8. Define the term zero population growth. Have we reached ZPG in the world’s population? Have we reached ZPG in the United States? What is the replacement fertility rate? Why is our population continuing to increase with such a low replacement fertility rate?
9. Can demographic transition (encouraged by western development) correct the population problem suffered by many developing nations? What are the anthropological, sociological, environmental and ethical problems associated with western style development? What are appropriate technologies and how do they play a role in sustainable development?
10. Discuss the principles of sustainability. List the human systems that are currently unsustainable and suggest some changes that would make these systems sustainable.
11. List the major nutrient cycles and discuss the importance of nutrient cycles in ecosystems. How have human activities effected these cycles?
12. Discuss the major environmental issues concerning water in the United States. Provide a discussion of our state and local water quality problems.
13. An ecologist examines a population sample and studies the age distribution of the population. The ecologist notes that the population is comprised largely of age classes of individuals that are post-reproductive. What conclusions /questions might the ecologist make/ask about this population based on the general principles of population biology?
14. Define adaptation and natural selection. Who is credited with the development of the theory of natural selection? Why are adaptations important for living things? How does natural selection act to produce adaptation?
15. What are some root causes of the world’s population problem? What are some potential solutions to this problem.
*16. Discuss the primary biomes and aquatic life zones on the planet. Which biomes and aquatic life zones would be found locally?
17. Summarize the root causes of the environmental crisis as discussed by Chiras. What can you personally do to address current environmental issues?