Final Review Questions
EV 121 Intro to Environmental Science, Block 6,
2002
Here is the official version
of these review questions. The final will be CUMULATIVE. Questions listed here
are likely more specific that what will be asked on the exam, but knowing the
answers to them will help you perform well on Wednesday. Review all lectures
(online) as another resource. Good luck!
Vocabulary you should know
by the end of this course:
Define the following in non-vague terms, using a specific example. Relate this word or phrase to topics we have been studying in class.
SOx
NOx
N2O
VOCs
acid rain
aerosols
albedo
biomagnification
biodiversity
CFCs
eutrophication
NIMBY
ozone
particulate material
pesticide
pH
food web
internal costs
biological control
carbohydrate
carbon cycle
carrying capacity
respiration
air pollution
coal
competitive exclusion
composting
decomposition
nitrogen cycle
nuclear energy
photosynthesis
primary production
stratosphere
troposphere
sustainable agriculture
exotic species
desertification
environmental justice
ecology
ecotourism
environmentalism
evolution
trophic level
fossil fuels
fuel cells
photovoltaics
genetic engineering
oil or petroleum
rain shadow
reduced tillage
salinization
species
deforestation
greenhouse gas
green revolution
habitat
hazardous waste
hervicide
industrial revolution
integrated-pest-management
keystone species
landfill
incineration
CH4
CO2
toxin
tragedy of the commons
externalities (external
costs)
Earthship
1. What were two main
conclusions from each project in the 2002 State of the Environment at CC? What
were the main methods used in each project? What were the main recommendations
or solutions from each project?
1. What are the primary sources
of energy (electricity and heat) currently used in the United States? List and
explain a) how each resource is extracted, b) the benefits of using this energy
source and c) drawbacks of using this energy source. What is the main source of
energy in Colorado?
2. What are three energy
sources that are alternative to fossil fuels? Briefly explain the technology
(or biology) of these alternative energy sources and why they will be
"greener" or "cleaner" sources of energy than fossil fuels
(if they are). What are some drawbacks to using these alternatives? How have
the costs of these alternative energy sources changed over the last several
decades?
3. How many years of coal,
oil, & natural gas do we have left (in the world) and how do we calculate
this if we assume positive population growth?
4. Based on our trip to the
Nixon Power Plant, what were some steps used to create energy from coal? List
three and explain. What were some of your other impressions of the Nixon Power
Plant?
1. What are three facts that
you remember about solid waste disposal?
2. What is composting? How
will this practice reduce solid wastes in landfills? Where does the
"material" go during composting?
3. Is it legal in the United
States to dump waste in the ocean? Has this happened in this country? Give an
example.
4. What are the benefits and
drawbacks of incineration? What are three benefits of recycling?
5. What is hazardous waste,
and what are some US laws that deal with it? What is a Superfund site?
6. Explain the field of
Environmental Justice and give a real-world example.
7. What are three cities that
are among the top 10 largest cities in the world? Approximately how many people
live within a "megacity"?
8. What are three negative
ecological consequences of city living (as opposed to rural living), What is a
positive ecological consequence of urbanization?
9. What are two differences
in city planning between western and eastern US cities? What are four ways we can
make our western cities more livable?
10. What are three components
of an Earthship? What are three ways that an Earthship contributes to
environmental conservation? What are some drawbacks to living in a natural
building. Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
1. Define the terms "air
pollution" and "climate change". What are the similarities and
differences between the two?
2. Is the air in North
America today dirtier or cleaner than it was 100 years ago? Why? Explain the
laws in place that have caused this change, and what these laws control.
Compare the same 100 year trend in a developing country like Pakistan.
3. What are the 6 compounds
considered to be "air pollutants" in the United States? Of which of
these is transportation a major source? (Hint: these are the same compounds
that are measured from your car during your yearly emissions test).
4. What is the primary source
of SO2 (sulfur dioxide)? Particulates?
5. Explain the US Clean Air
Act. (Hint: the compounds regulated by the Clean Air Act is what defines
"air pollution"). How does human activity increase the production of
each of these compounds?
6. What are some local
(health) and global effects of aerosols? Are aerosols natural or human-derived?
7. What are three things that
could contribute negatively to your indoor air quality?
8. What is the stratospheric
ozone hole and why is it over Antarctica? What is the cause of the ozone hole?
Is the hole "natural"?\\
9. What international
legislation was passed in response to the discovery of the ozone hole? What
have been the ecological impacts of this agreement
10. What is the link between
energy production, air pollution, and women's health in the developing world?
(i.e. think stoves)
11. What are the effects of
these "air pollutants" (know which compounds these are?) on human
health and plant health?
12. What is acid rain? Use pH
in your answer. What are some ecological effects of acid rain?
13. How did the 1990
amendments to the Clean Air Act change the existing legislation?
1. What is the Ebola virus
and how is it transferred to humans? What is malaria and how is it transferred
to humans? What is the link between DDT and malaria?
2. What are the factors that
may contribute to the fact that 30 new diseases and some old, more virulent
ones have appeared in the past two decades? Use the Hanta virus, Dengue Fever,
and Cholera as examples.
3. What is the definition of
zoonotic, and how does it relate to human-induced environmental change?
4. How do bacteria become
resistant to antibiotics and pesticides? Give some examples of diseases where
bacteria are now resistant to our drugs. What are some of the consequences?
1. How are humans changing the
DIVERSITY and COMPOSITION of species on Earth?
2. What is an exotic species?
What makes a species invasive? Give real-world examples in Colorado
3. What is the taxonomic
group with the largest number of known species?
4. What are five reasons why
we should be concerned with a loss of biodiversity. Explain, using real-world
examples of each.
5. What are three primary
causes of biodiversity loss on Earth? Explain, using real-world examples.
6. Is extinction a
human-caused phenomenon? How have humans changed the "natural" rate
of extinction?
7. What are three things YOU
do that contribute to biodiversity loss on Earth? What could you do
differently? What will it take to change your actions?
8. What is the primary driver
of wildlife poaching in Africa? Where is the market for these goods?
9. In his book, Ishmael,
Daniel Quinn says "[Humans] ... kill what they don't eat and kill what
eats what they eat." Explain this idea, using real-world examples.
10. What is the Endangered
Species Act (ESA)? Explain at least two provisions of this important Act. What
are some human controversies that have arisen over the ESA?
11. How does climate change
bring new challenges to the preservation of endangered species? Explain in a
brief essay.
12. What are some ecological
consequences of grazing?
13. Where is the largest
market for old-growth and tropical timber? What can YOU do in your life to
ameliorate this problem?
Will generate questions in
class over the next two days....