Reference no: EM133195292 , Length: Word count: 2 Pages

Assignment Task: Intro to Environmental Science

There is no length requirement for discussion posts, but they must fully address the given prompt. You are not required to provide citations from our textbook in your posts.

Book: Cunningham, W.P. & M. Cunningham. (2018). Environmental Science, A Global Concern (14). New York: McGraw-Hill. eText or paperbook  

Discussion 1: Comparing Types of Conservation

After reading the appropriate text and visiting the following website; American Conservation in the Twentieth Century, answer the following questions: What are the fundamental differences between utilitarian conservation, biocentric preservation, modern environmentalism, and global environmentalism? Which view do you feel is more appropriate? Why?

Discussion 2: Effects of Added Phosphorous on Aquatic Systems

Historically, detergent companies added water-soluble phosphorous to their products to make your laundry bright.  Based on what you read about phosphorous, why do you think many communities have banned the use of these detergents? What term is used to describe the effects of increased phosphorous levels on aquatic ecosystems?

Discussion 3: Biome Impacts

Which two major biomes have been most heavily impacted by human activities? Give two specific reasons why these impacts have occurred. Based on what you know so far, what could be done to reduce our impacts on these biomes?  Where is the largest area of undisturbed habitat found on Earth? Why is this biome so undisturbed?  Do you think this biome will remain undisturbed in the future?  Why or why not?

Discussion 4: Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic

Read: The Land Ethic by Aldo Leopold, from A Sand County Almanac, 1948. What Aldo Leopold had to say about the land and the land ethic? With this information in mind, what do you think Aldo Leopold meant by integrity, stability, and beauty of the land?

Discussion 5: Human Population Dynamics

In the 1990 US Census, the population was approximately 260,000,000.  In the 2000 US Census, the population was approximately 285,000,000.  During the same time period, the total fertility rate was approximately 2.1 children.  At this total fertility rate, what would you expect the rate of population growth to be?  If this were true, what accounts for the 25,000,000 increase in the population? What effect might obesity and diabetes have on current life expectancy?

Discussion 6: IPM

What is Integrated Pest Management? What is a main goal of this management strategy? An alternate method of pest control is the use of biological (living) agents to control pests.  What is the greatest risk in the use of these controls?