💃PoLE-Dance💃
What is the difference between Econ, Ecotope and Ecotone?(100 points each)
Econ is the smallest homogenous part of a Landscape with a vertical structure & characteristic vertical fluxes (mass&energy&entropy).
Econ is a representative part of an ecotope.
An Ecotope is the spatial manifestation of an Econ. Within an Ecotope the vertical transfer and exchange processes are similar.
An Ecotone is the Zone of transition between adjacent ecological systems (e.g. between Ecotopes).
What is the difference between a sound and valid arguement?
An argument consists of at least two premises and one conclusion.
valid argument = premises lead logically to the conclusion (BUT PREMISE CAN BE WRONG --> its still a valid argument in that context)
sound argument = premises are true and lead logically to the conclusion
Discuss why the Schaefer Curve represents a simple but essential model of living resources!
What are the five state factors (100 Points)? How do we measure one state factor? (100 Points)?
State Factors: Climate, Topography, Parent Material, potential biota, hidden state factor: TIME!
Keep everything the same but the factor to study --> e.g. different Climate between 2 Plots but Same Topography, Same Time, Same Parent Material, Same potential Biota.
So we have to assume/assure that all other not to be measured variables stay the same.
What is occams razor?
Basically: of two competing theories, the simpler explanation is to be preferred. The principle is also expressed as “Entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity.”
Discuss how the living environment effects human welfare!
Goods & Services: desirable and benefit livelyhood (Supporting/Regulating/Provisioning/non-marketed Services)
Bads & Disservices: undesirable to humans and pose a threat to livelyhood. (pest, competition, nutrient runoff)
What can we do with models in landscape Ecology?
1. Simplification
2. Parametrization
3. Generalization
To provide a formal framework for comparison across systems.
To enhance understanding of complex ecological systems.
There are conceptual models(mathematical, statistical), computer models (similation of behavior of systems) and we can model organism.
What is Ecological Feminism based on?
It wants to explore the connection between forms of human expression and the degradation of nature.
When nature gets harmed women and similiar groups are harmed more than socially and economic privileged. Nature and Women are socially created concepts that result in value hierarchical thinking, value dualism and the logic of domination, which justify an oppressive conceptual framework.
What is an externality in nature economics? Name one example.
In environmental economics, an externality is a cost or benefit of an economic activity that affects third parties (society) and is not reflected in market prices.
A factory discharges pollutants into a river. The factory does not pay for the damage to downstream ecosystems or fisheries.Fishermen and communities bear the cost through reduced fish stocks and poorer water quality.
IT CAN LEAD TO MARKET FAILURE: Externalities lead to market failure because prices do not reflect true social costs or benefits, resulting in inefficient levels of production or consumption.
What are patches in landscape ecology (200 point) and what is the difference between extent and resolution (200 points)?
Patches are considered the basic spatial structure of landscapes. It is up to the observer to define how a patch is assigned. So they are non fixed areas of the landscapes. (E.g. habitat patches).
extent = how big, resolution = how detailed
Map extent should be 2-5 times larger than the largest patch.
Map resolution e.g. grain size should be 2-5 times smaller than the spatial future analyzed.
What is the problem of speaking for others? (Linda Alcoff)
There are two sources of the problem of speaking for others. They are both rooting in priviledges.
Speakers locations - impacting speakers claims and serving to authorize or deauthorize one´s speech.
Privileged locations - certian priviledged locations are discursively dangerous.
--> increased oppresion of the group spoken for
Explain the concept of maximum sustainable yield of harvesting species!
Maximum sustainable yield = highest quantities achieved over time while mainting high growth rate (logistic growth = max is at half carrying capacity).
Harvesting more than maximum sustainable yield deplets reserves.
Please explain the feedback loop of the turbid lake example. Start from clear water state and lead to turbid lake state and show how it is possible to get back to clear water state.
Clear water state --> ⬆️ Submerged Vegetation --> ⬆️ Daphnia --> ⬇️ Phytoplankton --> Clear water state
negative feedback system (stabilizing/dampening)
BUT THEN: High nutrient input (especially phosphorus) increases phytoplankton (algal) growth --> shift to turbid lake after tipping point
Turbid water state --> ⬇️ Submerged Vegetation --> ⬆️ Nutrients & ⬇️ Daphnia --> ⬆️ Phytoplankton --> Turbid water state
Positive Feedback (enhancing)
Get back with increasing Daphnia population (fishing) and less nutrient inflow!
What is the principle of equality?
What is the problem between willingness to pay for protection of nature (conservation) & willingness to accept compensation (building)? (topic: land conversion)
Willingness to accept compensation is (much) higher than to pay for protection (even for the same environmental change).
Fun fact: Losing nature feels worse than gaining it feels good. This is known as the endowment effect.
Also: Income distribution varies highly --> people may value conservation highly but cannot pay much.
--> biased land-use decisions