Module 24/25
What is the tragedy of the commons, and how does it apply to modern environmental issues?
The tragedy of the commons refers to the loss caused by individuals overusing shared resources like air, water, fisheries, and forests.
How do plowing and tilling disrupt natural ecological processes such as succession?
Plowing and tilling disrupt soil health, prevent native vegetation reestablishment, and increase erosion, halting biodiversity buildup and stability over time.
What are some of the major environmental concerns associated with concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)?
What is water and air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and antibiotic resistance caused by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)?
How do impervious surfaces in urban areas contribute to reduced aquifer recharge and increased urban runoff?
What is by preventing water from soaking into the ground, leading to more runoff and less groundwater replenishment?
What is sustainability, and what are the three key principles for maintaining it?
This concept involves meeting today’s needs without preventing future generations from meeting theirs, and is guided by the principles of environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.
What are some examples of land use that both benefit humans and harm the environment?
Agriculture, urban development, and mining
What are the short-term benefits and long-term consequences of slash-and-burn farming?
Burning vegetation temporarily improves soil fertility and allows planting, but long-term consequences include rapid nutrient depletion, erosion, biodiversity loss, deforestation, carbon emissions, and unproductive land.
Meat production considered less energy-efficient than crop production?
What is because animals consume more energy through feed, water, and land use than the calories they provide as meat?
What is saltwater intrusion, and why is it a concern in coastal urban areas?
What is the movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, often caused by over-pumping groundwater?
How does crop rotation contribute to sustainable agriculture?
By alternating the types of crops grown in a field each season, this farming practice improves soil health, reduces pest buildup, and decreases the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
What are the main differences between clear-cutting and selective cutting in forest management?
Clear-cutting, a destructive method of tree removal, disrupts ecosystems, while selective cutting preserves forest structure, supports biodiversity, and reduces erosion, making it more environmentally damaging.
How can excessive use of fertilizers negatively affect soil and water systems?
Overuse of soil can cause soil acidification, reducing fertility, while nutrient runoff can contaminate water, leading to eutrophication, depleting oxygen and harming aquatic life.
How does overgrazing contribute to desertification, and what are the consequences for ecosystems?
What is the removal of vegetation by livestock, leading to soil erosion, reduced fertility, and loss of biodiversity?
What is the difference between suburbs and exurbs in terms of population density and connection to urban centers?
What is that suburbs are densely populated areas near cities, while exurbs are more spread out and farther from city centers?
What is the role of environmental indicators in monitoring Earth's health?
These tools help scientists track changes in climate, biodiversity, pollution levels, and resource use, offering critical data to assess the planet’s ecological condition and guide sustainable decision-making.
How do synthetic fertilizers differ from organic fertilizers, and what are the environmental impacts of each?
Synthetic fertilizers provide immediate plant nutrients, while organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly. Both have environmental impacts, including nutrient runoff, energy consumption, and potential pollution.
What is the difference between unconfined and confined aquifers, and how do they relate to irrigation practices?
Unconfined aquifers recharge easily from rain, while refined aquifers are trapped between layers, prone to contamination. Overuse can deplete confined aquifers faster, leading to long-term water scarcity.
What are manure lagoons, and how are they used in managing animal waste?
What are large, open pits used to store and decompose animal waste from CAFOs?
How does urban sprawl contribute to environmental challenges like urban blight and habitat loss?
What is by spreading development over large areas, leading to abandoned urban centers and destruction of natural habitats?
Why is aquaculture seen as a potential solution to declining wild fish populations?
This practice involves farming fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled environments, helping to reduce pressure on overfished wild populations while meeting the growing global demand for seafood.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of monocropping in modern agriculture?
Benefits include simplified planting and harvesting, increased efficiency, and high short-term yields, while drawbacks include soil depletion, increased pest vulnerability, and heavy pesticide and fertilizer use.
How does irrigation lead to environmental problems such as waterlogging, salinization, and aquifer depletion?
Excess waterlogging, salinization, and aquifer depletion can harm crops, soil, and aquifers, causing waterlogging, suffocating plant roots, and reducing productivity in dry climates.
What is fishery collapse, and how is it defined in terms of population decline?
What is a 90% or more decline in a fish population, often due to overfishing?
What is the ecological footprint, and how does it differ from the carbon footprint?
By alternating the types of crops grown in a field each season, this farming practice improves soil health, reduces pest buildup, and decreases the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
What is aquaculture, and why is it becoming increasingly important globally?
This is the farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in freshwater or marine environments, and it is gaining global importance due to its potential to provide sustainable seafood, support food security, and ease pressure on overexploited wild fisheries.