Assignment

Answer each of the following questions thoroughly. Provide each answer with scientific/technical detail. For certain questions you may need to supplement your answers with statistics or relevant examples. Be sure to acknowledge and cite your sources properly, preferably in APA style.

1. There are several points of view concerning the importance of maintaining biological diversity. For example, environmental groups in the Northwest want to restrict logging to save the habitat of an endangered bird. Timber companies insist that the well-being of one bird type is not as important as the well-being of the population who will be affected if the restriction causes the companies to lay off workers. How do you respond to these arguments? Is there a possible compromise?

2. What major environmental threats affect the National Parks? How could the National Parks in the United States be used more sustainably?

3. Imagine that you are the "sustainability guru" for the world. Identify the three most important features of your policies for using and managing:

a) Forests

b) Grasslands

c) Nature reserves, parks and wildlife refuges

d) Biological hotspots

e) Areas with deteriorating ecosystems

4. Coastal and inland wetlands serve important ecological and economic roles globally. Despite their value, over half of the wetland areas in the United States have been lost in the last 100 years. Discuss two solutions for protecting and restoring wetlands.

5. Just 150 years ago, nature seemed so vast and fertile that it didn't seem possible that human action could have a lasting impact on wildlife population. Thus for the most part, there were no efforts to preserve or conserve. Do you see a similar situation today, where denial, mismanagement, or poor judgment is occurring?