Ecosystem Services - Biodiversity

What are ecosystem services? How would you respond to the critic who says, "Forests are only good for providing timber"? Support your answer with examples of at least four different ecosystem services offered by forests. Define genetic diversity and explain the importance of genetic diversity for crop plants and livestock. Identify one way genetic diversity is lost in organisms and discuss one benefit and one difficulty of lower genetic diversity. Name 3 sustainable agricultural practices and 3 subsistence agriculture practices:

Compare and contrast the practices of preservation and conservation as they relate to the maintenance of ecosystems. Discuss the concept of “natural regulation." Use examples of these practices from your local area (e.g., natural swings in sizes of animal populations, natural occurrence of grassland and forest fires, and natural succession of fallow farmland and waterways).

Compare and contrast the practices of preservation and conservation as they relate to the maintenance of ecosystems. Discuss the concept of “natural regulation." Use examples of these practices from your local area (e.g., natural swings in sizes of animal populations, natural occurrence of grassland and forest fires, and natural succession of fallow farmland and waterways).

You are taking this course online. What are the ENVIRONMENTAL benefits and drawbacks of online vs conventional education?

You are taking this course online. What are the ENVIRONMENTAL benefits and drawbacks of online vs conventional education?

Describe the provisions of an environmental treaty in which the US is a signatory

The U.S. has entered into scores of legally-binding treaties with other nations to curb pollution, protect natural resources or regulate the international flow of energy and energy resources. Please select a treaty to which the U.S. is a signatory and describe its key provisions.

Discuss the major components of the hydrologic cycle and identify the processes involved in the transfer or exchange of water from one reservoir to another.

Discuss the major components of the hydrologic cycle and identify the processes involved in the transfer or exchange of water from one reservoir to another. In the correct context, use the following vocabulary in your discussion: watershed, transpiration, percolate, runoff, precipitation, groundwater, evaporation, estuary. How would you argue against the following statement made during the zoning board hearings in your local community? “Deserts are barren, hot and dry wastelands. My proposed housing development, including off-road vehicle recreation areas, will replace this scorching, arid, harsh environment with a revenue-generating complex that will benefit the entire community.” W... click for more