Did you know that Termites are social insects that are essential decomposers in tropical rain forest ecosystems? Termites may account for up to 95 percent of insect biomass in tropical rain forests! Termites consume vast amounts of dead and decomposing plant material, thanks to the work of mutualistic cellulose-digesting microorganisms that inhabit their guts. In addition to their roles as important decomposers, termites digest plant materials and directly contribute to carbon dioxide and methane emissions into the atmosphere. It is likely that, like many insect species, termites and their symbionts may be sensitive to changes in their microclimate caused by global climate change, especially with regard to temperature and humidity.

LOOK AT THE TABLE BELOW it shows the rate of wood consumption of termites in mg/day/termite at different conditions of temperature and relative humidity. As you know, a warming climate can affect both temperature and relative humidity (moisture). The way you would read the chart is: For example, at 25 degrees and 70% humidity each termite eats .07 mg/day of wood. Got it?
When I save these directions, the chart is altered so just to clarify, temperature is to the far left and relative humidity is the 50%, 70% and 90% and the amount of wood eaten is shown in the middle :)

Relative Humidity
temp                   50%   70%     90%
20°C                   0.04   0.05    0.05
25°C                   0.05   0.07    0.10
30°C                   0.12   0.13    0.27
35°C                   0.09   0.13    0.15
40°C                   0.00   0.00    0.00

(a) Respond to the following using the data in the table above, which gives the rate of wood consumption by termites, in mg per day per termite, under various temperature and relative humidity conditions.
Under optimal conditions, the emission rate of methane by termites is approximately 70 kilograms of CH₄ per year per 1,000 termites.

(i) According to the data, what are the optimal temperature and relative humidity for termite activity?

(ii) Given a density of 4.5 × 10⁷ termites per hectare and optimal conditions, calculate the annual amount of methane emitted, in kilograms, by the termites inhabiting a 2,000-hectare tropical rain forest.

(iii) Suppose the temperature increases to 35°C and the relative humidity decreases to 50 percent. Using the data provided, determine the amount of methane, in kilograms, that would be emitted by the termites in the 2,000-hectare tropical rain forest.

(iv) Explain why the population size of termites is also affected by temperature and humidity
.
(b) It has been observed that soon after a tropical rain forest is cleared, termite density increases to an estimated 6.8 × 10⁷ termites per hectare. Thereafter, the termite population size decreases dramatically.

(i) What is the most likely reason that the density of the termites increases when a tropical rain forest is cleared?

(ii) Why do the termite populations eventually decrease dramatically?

please finish the Diversity in Ecosystems concept map that we started in class.

how to link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYtoZRmWLBc

Hi Period 2, just reminding  you to bring your notebooks on Friday, I will be doing a notebook check

 Hi Folks, the power point for chapter 3 can be found under the Dec. 4th entry, you only need to know the information up to slide that talks about soil, so we will cover soil and everything after that NEXT semester :)

 

1.Consider the biome presentations we did. Please make up a complex food web., using the organisms from any biome you choose, include the names of the organisms and label the producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and third level consumers, also include at least one type of decomposer that would likely be found in the biome. You can use arrows to show energy transfer from organism to organism.
2. Although you already know the formula for respiration, please write it down again and then tell what the end products are if the respiration occurs under anaerobic conditions.
3. Look at the picture of the decomposers on page 61, research one of those decomposers and explain it's role in decomposition.
4. What is HIPPO? And why should we care about biodiversity?
5. Tell me a little bit about the components of soil.
6. Now tell a little bit about what soil does for this planet (p67)
7.Read about soil horizons and soil profiles, what's the difference between them?
8. Make a chart comparing the 5 soil types shown on page 69.

this is not your homework, this is not due, just a guide for what to study for the final, some of which we are still learning :)

 

Hi! for tonight's homework, please read the following prompt, then google "Healthy Forests Initiative"  or "HFI" (wiki is good for this topic) read up on the purpose of this legislation. Now please respond to the questions below. You are now officially responsible for knowing what HFI is :)
Go ahead a google "clear cutting" too so you know what it means as well.

For decades, forest fires in the United States have been suppressed. In 2003 legislation was passed under the Healthy Forests Initiative (HFI) in response to the record-breaking wildfires that had occurred in the early 2000s. Some environmental and conservation groups fear that negative impacts could result if timber companies are encouraged to harvest medium- and large-size trees in federally owned forests while clearing away the smaller trees and underbrush.


(a) Identify TWO characteristics of forests that develop when fires are suppressed, and explain why the practice of fire suppression does not reduce, but actually increases, the risk of intense and extensive forest fires.

(b) The effects of the HFI are expected to extend beyond fire reduction. Excluding fire reduction, describe ONE positive and ONE negative effect likely to result from the implementation of the provisions of the HFI.

(c) Describe TWO ecosystem services provided for humans by forests. Explain how clear-cutting would affect each ecosystem service you describe.

(d) Identify a specific type of plant community or biome (other than a forest) that is naturally maintained by fire. Explain how the fire maintains the community or biome.

 

Hello all, for the homework please read and comprehend the following pages in your book: pages 50 to 60. Then please respond to the following questions.
1. Can you please define ecology in your own words.
2. Please put the following in the correct order from the most specific to the most general:
-organism, ecosystem, biosphere, population, community
3. What are some of the important functions that bacteria have on this Earth?
4. Why is the recycling of matter an important part of what sustains life on earth?
5. Looking at the section on page 54 called What Happens to Solar Energy...." how much of the suns energy that reaches the earth plays a part in photosynthesis?
6. In the following phrase, identify both the biotic and abiotic factors " Low phosphorus (a nutrient) content in soil limits the growth of vegetation"
7. What are limiting factors? What would be one important limiting factor for a farmer who was planting corn? What would be the main limiting factor in the desert? 
8. Chose any biome or ecosystem and name it, then tell one likely limiting factor specific to that biome.
9. Where would you find the process of chemosynthesis taking place?
**** I am attaching the power point presentation for this chapter....so you can see ahead of time what we will be talking about.expand description

this is for what we are doing in class today, this is not homework :)

 

Hi Folks, here is the review game. Happy days off!

here is a link to all of the presentations for both periods, enjoy!!https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzXfhfL7KbD_WF9OSUdrTUU4UVE

 

Hi! for tonight's homework, you will continue to answer questions about biomes, see chapter 5 for reference and you can always use the Internet to find answers.

Back to chapter 5, revisit pages 114 up to page 124. Then please answer the following questions.
1. give a brief description, or sketch describing/showing where in the world the following biomes are found.
tropical savanna, tropical rainforest, deciduous forest, boreal forest, tundra, you will need to be able to identify where these biomes are on a world map.
2. What is the biome type that would most likely be found at the top of a tall mountain?
3. What are two adaptations of tropical rain forest plants?
4. Give a few general characteristics of tropical rainforests.
5. Why are the desert biome and the tundra biome particularly sensitive to human destruction?
6.  Describe lichen and tell which biomes it would be found in.
7.  What are some of the conditions that plants in the Arctic tundra have to put up with?
8.. In between which two biomes can a grassland generally be found?
9. What is another name for a Chaparral biome?
10. How does fire affect the Chaparral biome?

here are some links to the presentations this is for 6th period :) https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wL9bJfyqpzqZlbUMBfcXFNPiyxgI4XSyRlcyBZSaEvU/edit?usp=sharing

. We are going to tackle a couple of biomes, so please browse through pages 105-114. Then please respond to the following questions
1. Differentiate between tropical and temperate grasslands.....include the following in your response, where each is located, a unique bit of information about each biome, the temperature and precipitation of each, which type of grassland has the best, most rich soil and why?
2. How does fire benefit a grassland ecosystem (google this if need be)
3. What are two major ways humans are negatively impacting the grassland biome?
4. Why is it that deserts can be so hot during the day and yet so cold at night? (page 108)
5. Can you please describe three adaptations of desert plants....
6. Really what is it that defines a desert most?
7. What is "offroading" and why is it particularly destructive in a desert ecosystem? okay your done for now :)
please put a lot of effort and thought into your responses

Hi Students please peruse through pages 105-124 in your text, feel free to read these pages in full as well. You will need the info in these pages to answer the following questions

1. Well we know the tropical rainforest has the most density of species of any biome in the world, first of all, what drives this incredible speciation there? Also, relating still to this biome, the most popular form of deforestation there is slash and burn, why do you think this method of deforestation is so popular there? Feel free to conduct additional research to back up or provide evidence for your response.

2. Well, slash and burn deforestation is good for planting crops for a season or two, but then it really becomes unsustainable, what characteristics of the rainforest make this such an unsustainable method of farming, explain.

3.Thinking back to when we learned about what ecosystem services are, If you are trying to convince a poor farmer in the amazon why he should not practice slash and burn deforestation, explain what services are provided by the rainforest that indeed benefit the whole planet and the local area.

4. There is a mammal that lives in the tropics (and other biomes as well) that has been given a really bad rap (as a matter of fact this mammal's popularity spikes right around the end of October each year) please convince me why I should re-think my disdain for this mammal, still keeping in mind the concept of ecosystem services.

5. Well, grasslands as we know, are where the buffalo roam, and well, some other especially popular domesticated animals now roam there too, hey as an expert ecologist, tell me why I should think twice about consuming this "other popular domestic animal".

6. This biome is also called the CONE-iferous forest ( I know I spelled it wrong) and it is for-real, what is it called?

7. Of all the abiotic factors that influence the types and adaptations of plants and animals in a biome, what do you think would be number one, light or amount of rainfall? Defend your position with researchable facts.

HI everybody! hw is below
-First, read this: http://www.livescience.com/23026-global-warming-changing-world.html
I mean click on the link and then read the info :)
-Next pick three of the events listed (there are 8 total) and conduct further research on each of the three events using the links provided in the short explanation given or your book (ch 20) Find out more information and elaborate on what was mentioned in the news piece. For each of the three events, write up a paragraph on your findings....include the website you used. Paragraphs should be at least five sentences and should not repeat the info given in the origial news piece. To recap, that's a total of THREE complete, well-written paragraphs, use only your own words, and feel free to add commentary. Short paragraphs that are not original will not be considered for points.

El NINO Activity (this is for a class activity it is NOT homework) Do not take any action, this is for class use

here is the link to the el nino/la nina animation as well

 

****From now on, please make sure all of your responses are in your own words!!!!!

This homework deals with "El Nino" I would like you to research El Nino in your book (pages S39 and S49) and then check out the following websites and read about El Nino here: http://www.livescience.com/3650-el-nino.html

and here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ni%C3%B1o%E2%80%93Southern_Oscillation
Please browse through at least two additional websites related to El Nino.

After you read the webpages on El Nino, please respond to the following questions
1. Describe what an El Nino is and tell clearly where it occurs
2. People in what part of the world are most affected by El Nino, explain?
3. Clearly describe two important environmental impacts associated with an El Nino in different parts of the world
4. Now take a look at this website http://www.allcountries.org/health/el_nino_and_its_health_impact.html......now explain what is the possible connection between El Nino and an increase in the spread of disease? 

Please study for the test :)

Homework: please begin by reading page 104, next read page 441, and page 486-490 You will be making a chart that compares the ozone layer (and the hole in the ozone) with the greenhouse layer (and global warming)

1.Please watch the following short video on ozone depletion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXV6ppONgUk

2.Now do some research on the Internet, I have included a website that may help you find the information to fill in your chart (your book is also a source for information)

http://www.coastalcommunities.ns.ca/didyouknow.php?cid=3&aid=96 
 
Please include the following information in your chart
1. where each layer is located in the atmosphere
2. what each layer is made up of
3. purpose of each layer to the Earth
4. how each layer is being altered by humans
5. the effects of the changes happening in each layer
6. some solutions to help repair the damage being done
7. the international protocols agreed upon by many nations to tackle these two enormous global environmental issues

Please make sure your chart is detailed and includes as much information as you can find. Be sure it is neat and clear and easy to read. If you need more information, feel free to research each layer using the Internet, you can Google it or YouTube it, there is plenty of information out there.

Hi guys, here is the review for the test next week, we still have a few things left to cover. The test will be Thursday 10/29, so be ready by then. helpful video animation

Special note :) sorry for the late notice, but I decided if you want to just turn in one lab write up per group (the group you took the data with) that will be fine. Just remember everyone is responsible for learning the information, calculations, graphing etc.

Homework is to finish up Solar Insolation lab. Just to recap the questions you must do on a separate sheet of paper are as follows. Please remember to write and highlight the questions and then write the answers below. All calculations, graphs, etc. are to be done on the actual lab handout.

PART A questions; 10, 11, 12,13,14,15

PART B questions; 1, 2, 3, 4, 8,10, 11, 12, 13 (show on graph) 14, 15, 16, 17,18,19,20, 21 (on graph) 22-26

Please read through pages 440 up through page 441 in your book. You can stop after the section on The Stratosphere. Be sure you know the names of each layer of the atmosphere and the order from the Earths surface. Now answer the following, we may not have time to cover this in class so be sure to know this info!
1. Which layer contains the ozone layer, and by the way, what does ozone really do for the earth, and how does this benefit the planet, in other words, what would Earth be like without the ozone, you can speculate here.
2. Well describe how the density of gases would vary in each layer, and tell which layer really has the most molecules .
3. Which region would contain the typical weather that we experience down here close to the surface of the earth?
4. There's an outermost layer not on the diagram in your book, find out what this layer is called and compare it's atmopheric pressure to the atmospheric pressure of the troposphere.
5. Up to the ozone again, hey, how is ozone formed up there in that layer that its in? You can also give the formula.
6. Hey please find out and list the %'s of Nitrogen, oxygen and Carbon dioxide here in the troposphere.

Hello students.

1.Please research the Earth's Atmosphere (or "layers of the earth's atmosphere) sketch a diagram showing and naming each of the layers of the atmosphere, show the distances as well, and major things happening in each layer, for the troposphere include the major gases and their percentages found there. There is a diagram in your book as well.
2. SKIP this one
please go to google or use your book, and find answers to the following questions. Here is a website that might help a bit with a few of the questions
http://www.weatherdudes.com/facts_display.php?fact_id=35
3. What causes wind?
4. What causes there to be THREE windbelts in the northern hemisphere?
5. How do ocean and wind currents benefit the planet?....describe AT LEAST THREE ways
6. Where is the Coriolis Effect the most intense and why?
7. Why is the air at 60 degrees north latitude warm air rising? (when it seems kinda cold up there) 

Hi Everybody! Hope you are having a great Thursday evening! Read pages 103-107...then answer the following questions:
1. Describe the difference between weather and climate (from page 101) and list three random places that are interesting to you and research each places' climate and describe the climate in 3 sentences or more.
2. Research atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis Effect. In one paragraph, describe global wind and ocean currents, and tell what the Coriolis Effect is.
3. Research one specific wind or ocean current (example would be the Gulf stream or the North Atlantic current (ocean) or the Doldrums or Horse latitudes (wind), but you can be creative and pick your own current :) Anyway write up a paragraph (4 sentence min) describing the current, how it is formed, where it goes, what is it famous for, and really any other interesting info you can find about it.

Please read pages 100-103 in your book.
After reading, please find the following passages in the assigned reading and do the following for EACH 1) tell what page and paragraph it is 2) tell what the significance or meaning of the passage is within the context of the reading 3) relate this passage to the environment. If you have any questions, ask me :)
passages:
#1 "Dust rich in phosphates and iron blows across the Atlantic from the Sahara desert in Africa"
#2 "Increasing numbers of four wheel vehicles speeding over the sand break the desert's surface crust"
#3 "Pollution and dust from rapidly industrializing China and central Asia blow accross the Pacific ocean and degrade air quality over part of the Western United States"
#4 "When we disturb the soil and leave it unprotected, we hasten and intensitfy the natural process"
#5 "Four major factors determine global air circulation patterns. The first factor is the uneven heating of the earth's surface by the sun"
#6 "This creates opposite seasons in the northern and southern hemisphere"

The homework for tonight is..........no homework!!

study for free response test, here are some video links that may help.

1. http://www.geo.cornell.edu/eas/education/course/descr/EAS220/2008%20Lectures/Lecture%207%20web/PlateMotionppt.html

2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APDvwlL8jZk

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIuk2blBzHs

Hi Guys and Gals, please look in the back of your book in the "supplement" section. Find pages S43 and S44 and read them. Then answer the following questions
1. Describe how an earthquake actually happens
2. What would be standard protocol for reducing life and property loss from an earthquake?
3. How do Tsunami early warning systems work?
4. What role did coral reefs and mangrove forests play in reducing deaths and damage from the Indonesian Tsunami?
5. Describe the role of certain types of volcanic eruptions in creating a cooling effect on the earth
6. What would be the most important benefit of volcanism?

Hi Students...here is the hw for those of you that would like to get an early start
Please start by watching the following video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrXAGY1dmE
1. Please explain how convection currents in the mantle form plate boundaries in the lithosphere
2. Please check out the following website and please read through the whole thing then answer the following
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/plates4.html
Please sketch a subduction plate boundary, you can research several sites to help you.
Label everything and color everything, include a section of the mantle in your sketch and show the accurate convection cell that would form a subduction plate boundary.
3. Now do the same for a divergent plate boundary, be sure to show surface features that result
4. Now research one major earthquake and volcanic eruption that has happened within the past 200 years, research the geologic activity that was the cause of the earthquake and volcano, by this I mean do some research to dig deep. Now write up a short description  for each, explain also the damage that was caused in addition to the geology (plate tectonics)

Hi Students here's your homework, we will be going through this fairly quickly so I am counting on you to learn from this homework :)

*we will be having a free response test on plate tectonics next week if you would like to get a head start on studying

1. Read pages 336-339 and discuss 5 concepts you learned from the reading....use complete thoughts and complete sentences/detail.
2. Next...head to google and look up Geologic Time Scale....define/describe it in your own words (3-5 sentences)
3. Now head back to google and type in this; "environmental benefits of tsunamis and earthquakes,and volcanos"......read through a few of the more interesting and informative websites and describe your findings in a fat paragraph. In addition please read the following article on this website http://planetsave.com/2012/05/06/earthquake-and-tsunami-good-for-beaches-seawalls-not-so-much/
it doesn't talk about benefits of volcanos, so you will have to look that up separately.

No homework tonight

Hi! I have found two great and informative articles for you to read (you are welcome!) Bark Beetles and Ocean Currents

First please click on the link http://www.hcn.org/blogs/goat/the-bark-beetle-feedback-loop and read the article and respond to the following:

1. What are some of the ecosystem functions performed by our forests described in the article?

2. Describe how trees can cool a LOCAL ecosystem.

3. What is the main idea of this article?

Now please click on this link http://oceanmotion.org/html/impact/conveyor.htm

and read through this article.

4. What would you say is one of the main assets to the planet of ocean currents?

5. Carefully read paragraphs 5,6 and 7, and tell me, what are the main forces that drive the ocean currents?

6. Generally speaking, what could happen if the ocean currents were to slow down, you can find the info to answer this Q in paragraphs 2 and 3, and paragraphs 14 and 15 (the latter having more detail)

"In his speech at the U.N., the pope decried the destruction of the environment through a "selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity.""

Oh yeah we got the Pope on our side!!!!!!!

 

""The environment itself has rights, and mankind has no authority to abuse them," said Francis, who hopes to spur concrete commitments at the upcoming climate-change negotiations in Paris."

 

Hi students, this homework is more stuff about feedback loops, please either watch this video (per. 6) or re-watch this video (per. 2) for there will be a question relating to this video on the quiz on Monday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGDfafmX6H8
(We will have a free response style quiz on Monday relating to feedback loops and global warming)

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_feedback
1. read the first paragraph (I realize the vocab is intense in some parts, but you can read it twice or three times like I did to "get" it)
Summarize one or two main concepts from that first paragraph and put that summary in your own words. Really a couple of complex sentences should suffice
2. Go down to the section on Methane and read the "Methane release from hydrates" and the "Methane release from melting permafrost and peat bogs".
Now write out a comparison/contrast type of chart where you compare and contrast the two events.
3.Now read/skim through the ENTIRE article and please pick one event described in the reading and summarize the feed back loop. Ideally it would be cool if we could be able to discuss ALL of them, but hopefully with 30 students in each class we can get all of them covered. So, pick one that you think no one else would cover :)

Howdy Folks!

Use your chapter 2 notes and the power point (and of course the Internet) to respond to these questions

1. Let us revisit synergy, I would like you to read the following blog about the synergistic effects of mercury and lead. Once you read it, please summarize it briefly (2-3 sentences) Is a blog completely factual information?

2. Explain what a positive feedback loop is (I know, I know, you already answered this, but it turns out many of you still aren't sure, so lets do it again)

3. What does it mean when something has reached its "environmental threshold"? Also known simply as a "threshold"

4.Look up the acronym NIMBY, now lets assume we are going to specifically relate this concept to a land fill or some type of hazardous waste dump site, what does this have to do with "Law of Conservation of Matter"

5. How many half-lifes does a radioactive element need to undergo for it to be considered safe for humans to handle? Please look up the half life of Uranium 238 and tell how many years U-238 must be stored to be considered safe.

Hello Students.

 

1. A volcano erupts and creates a large cloud of ash and gas that blocks the sunlight from reaching major portions of the earth, this could lead to global cooling. What type of feedback loop is this? Explain why this is so.

2. Please click on the link entitled "An Environmental Tipping point Story", next read the story. In your own words, can you explain this "Tipping point story" (3-4 sentences will suffice)

 

 

 

Hi Folks, please finish the Inconvenient Truth questions, we will go over the answers tomorrow

Hi students, homework is to study for quiz, and turn in homework packet tomorrow

Hi Students!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_organic_pollutant
Read the above web page please, the whole thing, it's about 1 page.
1. What are some of the chemical properties of persistent organic pollutants?

2. What is bioaccumulation and how do POP's exhibit this phenomenon?
3. Ok, here is a question I honestly don't know the answer to and it is your job to find out the answer, whether it be through research, or asking your favorite chemistry teacher, you can share the answer with other APES students if you know the answer: What is it about halogens and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that makes them so darn persistent in the environment?
4. Describe at least three ways POP's affect human or animal health

 

Hello students, here is the homework
1. Please read page 31 on "Paradigm Shifts". Besides the examples given in the reading, please think of and describe a paradigm shift that has taken place on this planet since people have been around.
2. Now please read about matter quality on page 38, Give me some examples of high vs. low quality matter.
3. Which is easier to extract, high or low quality matter?
4. On to page 40, read about persistence. Now please research one example of a persistent pollutant. In a short paragraph, explain what the chemical pollutant is (you can give its chemical formula), next tell what it is or has been used for, tell the problems its use has caused in the environment, and tell what the solution has been or what the solution could be for getting this chemical out of our environment.

Hi! Please print out the following notes and bring them in on Monday

I would like you to get a head start on Chapter 2 (and other info we are about to learn) so for tonight's homework I would like you to do the following:

1) Read page 28 and  then please describe what happened to Easter Island.
2) Now please read page 33, Lets just say that you eat lots and lots of sugary candy and sweets everyday, but it really doesn't phase you, you feel great. Then in about 10 years, you decide to take charge of your health and STOP eating sweets. So the years pass by and then you turn 50 and all of the sudden you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, what is the phrase for this that is described in your reading?
3) Now please take this phrase (from #2) and apply it to a real life environmental issue, explain.
4) Well as you know, the sea ice in the North pole is melting a bit due to warming ocean temperatures caused by a warmer atmosphere (global warming) As this ice melts, the water is exposed beneath. It turns out that water absorbs sunlight/heat and ice reflects it. So now with all this bare water exposed in the polar regions, the water is starting to absorb sunlight/heat and warm up even more, which then causes more ice to melt, which then exposes more water. Which of the phenomenon from the reading of page 33 am I referring to?
5) Now please read page 34 again :) Give me a real life example of synergy related to either health effects on the human body or a real life example of synergy related to the environment (organisms, ecosystems etc)
6) Please read page 40......"The solution to pollution is dilution" which concept am I describing from the reading with this ill advised quote?

Hi Guys! Please watch the "Story of Stuff" and respond to the following prompts and be ready to share your responses. Here's the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM

1. What does Annie L mean by the "linear economic model"

2. What are the 5 "parts" of the linear economic model?

3. Now then, please describe one consequence from EACH "part" of this economic model TO the environment or to society in general

Greetings people! For tonights homework, I would like you to revisit chapter 1 reading, and respond to the following questions.
1) take a look at the diagram on page 9, how would you define natural capital?
2) looking at that same diagram, make a connection between one natural resource and one natural service. For example the natural resource of biodiversity includes forests, and one natural service provided by forests could be climate control. YOU CAN'T USE THIS EXAMPLE :)
3) taking a look at the core case study on page 6, re-read it. How would you describe exponential growth?
4) Read about China and India on page 15, summarize this reading in 2 sentences.
5) from all of this resource consumption comes pollution, look at page 16, what are some basic differences between cleaning up pollution and preventing pollution?
6) looking at page 22, and then reading about environmental world views, which view do you think the president of the US should have to be an effective president?

HI Guys! here is the test review!

Although there is a "due date" indicated, this review is not actually going to be turned in, it is just a general guideline on what to study for the first test, which we will have (hopefully) on Thursday 9/3

-sustainablilty and sustainable societies and strategies for sustainable cities
-developed vs. developing countries; general characteristics of each
-the ways that developing and developed countries contribute to environmental degredation
-renewable vs nonrenewable resources
-tragedy of the commons
-unsustainable resource use
-how poverty drives overpopulation
-poor environmental accounting
-how diet affects footprint
-green building strategies
-benefits of seasonally and locally grown food
-suburban sprawl compared to compact urban living
-external costs in relationship to pollution
-point vs nonpoint pollution
-GDP
-Know the laws of thermodynamics
-know which areas of the world are going to experience the majority of population growth in the next few decades
--know examples and consequences of humans simpliying and dominating nature
--know the general characteristics of the hunter gatherer period, and the agricultural and industrial revolutions

 

Hello everyone please read pages 28, 31-34, 39, 40, 42-47 in your textbook. In addition, I would like you to conduct a bit of internet research on the following terms or phrases and then summarize your findings for each phrase in 1-2 sentences
-green building
-passive solar heating
-green roofs
Now, please respond to the following questions to the best of your ability
1. Is the earth a closed or open sysyem for energy?
2. Is the earth a closed or open system for matter?
3. Contrast the agricultural revolution with the industrial revolution
4. Would you ever want to be a hunter-gatherer? Explain.
5. What are the first and second laws of thermodynamics?
6. Describe the concept of synergy as it relates to environmental science, use a specific example in your description

Tentative date for first test is Thursday September 3rd. Please see following posts for review info

 

Hi Students, here is a chance to earn a few extra credit points.

1) Join the APES group on facebook

2) Post a picture of yourself doing something to reduce your eco-footprint (except taking shorter showers)

3) Include your name, period and a short description of how this action is reducing your footprint :)

 Addendum: (Sorry EC) To get the extra credit, your sustainable act will need to involve more than using a refillable water bottle, although that is an admirable practice, to get the extra credit it will need to be a more substantial act. However, if you were to, say, take pics of yourself bringing a refillable water bottle to school for maybe 5 days in a row, and post that, or get a non APES person to start bringing a refillable bottle for several days and take pics and post them, that might work. I most likely will look at each situation individually in order to accurately determine if it is extra credit worthy or not. I have never done this before, so there will be things that I cannot for see and I will make adjustments as we go along :)

Hi! Hope your day is going well :)
For tonight's hw I would like you to research examples of sustainable cities, find one that seems interesting to you. In the first paragraph introduce the city, tell me about it, where is it, who lives there, what's the climate like, etc. Also tell what the major businesses are, in other words, what do most people do for a living?
In the second paragraph, explain several of the ways that the city is practicing sustainability.

The "My Ecological Footprint" activity will be due Thursday instead of Wed. See previous post for log in info :)

Hello, for tonights homework please finish reading chapter 1. Then do the following:
1. Please describe what exactly is "pollution"? And please explain point vs nonpoint pollution and give a clear example of each
2. Describe how poverty can lead to overpopulation.

3. What are the "four principles of sustainability"?
4 Research an "environmental accomplishment", in other words, a case study or specific example in which humans have made a positive impact and change relating to an environmental problem. Write up a paragraph (at least 5 sentences) describing the problem and how it was solved. It should be completely in your own words.  (this is so that we can restore our faith in humanity ;)

5. Please finish up the "My Ecological Footprint" Activity, which I decided will be due on Thursday so that you guys are hopefully not overworked in this class :)

login info is;

user name [email protected]

password gW9LuyM9

 

Hi Students, for Monday, please bring in your science donation if you haven't done so already. And please print out and bring in the Ecological Footprint Activity (see previous post) Also find out the things I asked you to find out about your household from the previous post. Have a great weekend!!

*** please bring $15 science donation on Friday :) Thanks!

Hi students, I am editing this post, please don't printout the footprint activity until I give you the go ahead, I am waiting for a password from the website we will be using. I will let you know by tomorrow at the end of school, check back on the website to see what to print out. OKAY GO AHEAD AND PRINT THE ECO FOOTPRINT

 

Hola, hope your first few days of schol are going wonderfully. For tonights homework please read up to page 20 of your book. Then go on the internet and research a real life example of "Tragedy of the Commons". Write up a 2 paragraph summary of your findings. Each paragraph should be about 5 sentences minimum. The first paragraph should contain a summary of the situation; the who, why, when, what, where......and in the second paragraph give some pracitcal solutions for managing the commons so that it does not become depleted or destroyed. Be ready to share your findings

Also, please download and bring a copy of the Ecological footprint activity attached :) we will do this in class

One more thing: please find out the following info as much as possible before you come to class on Friday, you can just jot this info on back of eco footprint activity

-approximate square footage of house

-what type of energy sources are used at home (electricity/natural gas etc)

-types of light bulbs at your house (incandescent or compact fluorescent)

-where your food comes from (farmers market, grocery store etc)

-household recycling habits

-do you eat organic?

-energy efficient appliances?

-water saving devices?

Hi students, the homework due tomorrow is......NO HOMEWORK :) but there is some due Friday if you want to get a head start

Hello! Please read pages 6-12 in your book then please answer the following questions

Do this homework on a piece of paper that you will eventually turn in (using scratch paper is fine)
1. Describe how human population growth is an example of exponential growth.
2. Explain 3 things that could happen or are happening as a result of exponential human population growth.
3. How would you define "sustainability"?
4. Describe 3 ways humans are affecting our "Natural Capital"?
5. What is GDP and what is GDP based on in today's global economy?
6. Please tell me three ways developed countries differ from developing countries.

Also please download and bring a copy of the attached notes with you to class tomorrow.

Greetings and welcome to APES!
1. Your first homework assignment will be to find a current event or past event related to the ENVIRONMENT. Write up a 3/4 (that's three-fourths) page summary IN YOUR OWN OWN WORDS. To me, "in your own words" means that you would read the article first and then interpret the content and explain what you learned using your thoughts. The first paragraph should summarize the problem or issue (where, who, what, why and when) and in the second paragraph give some ideas on how to solve this problem. In the third paragraph, give your own commentary/opinion and tell why people should be aware of this issue.
2. Also....finish your note card (name and interesting fact on one side and colored, creative drawing on the other side)
3. cover your book and write your name in it too.
4. Have your folks read and sign the classroom guidelines page I gave you in class today.
5. Get a "notebook" just for this class and this class alone