Introduction of a toxicant to an ecosystem

Assignment Help Other Subject

Reference no: EM132187206 , Length: word count:1800

Assignment Questions -

Q1. Periodic episodes of meadow lark mortality are noted near an agricultural field. The field was used for many years to grow cotton and, consequently, has a history of DDT and lead arsenate application. At present, carbamate pesticides are periodically applied to the fields.

How would you determine which, if any, of these potential toxicants are producing the mortality?

Q2. a. What quantitative models (approach) would you use to predict the joint action of two pollutants with identical modes of lethal action? Explain.

b. Which model (approach) would you use for the joint action of two toxicants with completely different modes of lethal action? Explain.

c. How would you determine whether their joint effects were additive or non-additive?

Q3. You would like to study the impact of a contaminant on a songbird species nesting in a contaminated location. Describe your approach.

Q4. Using the principle of allocation and concept of strategy, relate how life histories of individuals in a population may shift in response to a pollutant.

Q5. a. In general, how would a log normal, species abundance curve change with the introduction of a toxicant to an ecosystem? What is (are) the possible mechanism(s) for this shift in the curve?

b. Would there be a different impact with different types of pollutants? Give examples.

c. How could a community successfully avoid irreversible damage from the pollutant(s)?

Q6. a. Assuming that the MacArthur-Wilson model accurately reflects colonization, predict the number of species inhabiting a beach devastated by an oil spill if the number of species originally on the beach was 23 (S_EQ = 23?), G = 0.10 (units of years), and 10 years has passed since the devastation occurred. How long would it take for 95% of the species to reestablish themselves? Would the community (species assemblage) be back to normal at that point?

b. Would you pick the same approach (MacArthur-Wilson model) for the above issue? What would be some alternatives? Why or why not?

Q7. a. Describe the rivet popper hypothesis versus the redundancy hypothesis debate.

b. What is the significance of this debate relative to assessing an adverse effect of pollutants to the environment?

c. How might the application of these hypotheses change for the prediction of toxicant effects in a metacommunity context?

Q8. Give three reasons why the traditional ecosystem context should be expanded to a larger scale in order to address environmental problems facing us today. What could be an issue(s) if you only look on a large scale?

Q9. a. The NYT article "The Insect Apocalypse Is Here" identifies some problems we discussed in class regarding environmental studies. Please discuss these problems.

b. What do you think are potential causes for the Insect Apocalypse?

c. Should we be worried?

Q10. Now that the holiday season is upon us a lot of people feel that they have to get the latest and greatest in technology (a new tablet or smartphone for instance, although I notice more "buy a car for the holidays" commercials...). What are some, at least four, environmental impacts (small and large scale) related to these devices? Maybe these impacts are similar as for those cars?

Reference no: EM132187206

Questions Cloud

Are there any major differences in the character of gods : Are there any major differences in the character of gods as they are portrayed in the Dhammapada, the Buddhist Scriptures.

What does the trench that the turtle shell creates symbolize : What examples from the Greek mythology does the lecturer provide comparing same to the endeavor of the turtle? How are they connected?

Demonstrate your understanding of major characters : Works of fanfiction are rarely commissioned or authorized by the original work's owner, creator, or publisher; also, they are almost never professionally.

What is generating the conflicts and clashes : Do you think there are conflicts and clashes between civilizations of the world? If no, can there be any future clashes and conflicts between civilizations?

Introduction of a toxicant to an ecosystem : In general, how would a log normal, species abundance curve change with the introduction of a toxicant to an ecosystem

How would dekoven determine whether a game is well played : What does Alexander mean when she talks about power fantasies? How would DeKoven determine whether a game is well played?

Explain your emotional and academic responses to the book : HUM 2313: What types of literary conventions or rhetorical strategies and/or literary devices does the author use? To what effect?

Define how you think the issue should be resolved : Your paper should explain (1) why you think the issue is particularly important; (2) how the issue relates to the material we've covered in class.

How would locke respond to nietzsche : In other words, to what extent do you think Locke would agree with the criticisms Tocqueville is making of democracy?

Reviews

len2187206

12/6/2018 3:00:16 AM

THIS EXAM IS DUE ON TUESDAY 11,- no exceptions, any response posted after this date will not be graded. Please e-mail me with any questions you may have. You may use books, articles, and any reputable scientific references - including the internet (no Wikipedia!) - to answer these questions. You must cite the references you used at the end of the exam. You are not to discuss this exam with any other student in or out of the class.

Write a Review

Required(*) Message

User Account

All Pages