Reading Questions

Reading Guides
& Notes
AP Environmental Science
Mrs. Gotler
2017/2018
2
Welcome to APES with Mrs. Gotler!
Textbook: Friedland and Relyea Environmental Science for AP®,

second edition © 2015 W.H. Freeman and Company/BFW
The following reading guides have been created with collaboration
from Jenine Winslow, Rusty Walker, Shelby Riha, Douglas Walter
and other National APES teachers. A huge thanks to all for making
their work available for use by the public!
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Notes for Module 1
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Pages: 1-6 MODULE 1 GUIDE Due:
"Environmental Science"
Key Terms:
Fracking Environment Environmental Science Ecosystem
Biotic Abiotic Environmentalist Environmental studies
1. Opening Story - What is fracking used for, and how does the process work?
2. Opening Story - What are the advantages and disadvantages to fracking?
3. Opening Story - What does the debate about fracking demonstrate about the types of problems Env Sci addresses?
4. What is the importance of studying systems in ES, rather than isolated events or individual actors?
5. Why does the blending of many different disciplines present both challenges and opportunities to environmental
scientists? (figure 1.1)
6. The Earth is a single interconnected system, but it can be subdivided into many smaller systems. How does the nature
of the problem to be studied determine the scale of the system chosen? (figure 1.2)
7. How have tool use and social cooperation enabled humans to alter their environment more than other species?
8. How did early homo sapiens impact their environment when they entered a new area? What does this show?
9. List at least 5 major ways humans have altered our environment in the last 10,000 years.
10. So far in history, technological development has led to both increased human well-being and increased environmental
disruption. Why has this been the case?
Review Q's (pg 6) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
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Notes for Module 2
Question to bring to class:
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Pages: 7-18; 26 MODULE 2 GUIDE Due:
"Environmental Indicators and Sustainability"
Key Terms:
Ecosystem services Environmental indicator Biodiversity Genetic diversity
Species diversity Background extinction rate Greenhouse gases Anthropogenic
Development Sustainability Sustainable Development Ecological footprint
1. Could humanity survive without Earth's ecosystem services? Explain.
2. Why are high levels of genetic diversity (in a population) and species diversity (in an ecosystem) considered important
environmental indicators? How are they beneficial?
3. There are at least 2 million species on Earth, and species have been naturally evolving and going extinct for billions of
years. Why should we care if human activity is driving other species extinct as we grow?
4. What factors have contributed to total world grain production increasing, but per-person production stagnating?
5. Why is the level of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere a critical environmental indicator, & how are we impacting it?
6. What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable (finite) resources? Which are more sustainable?
7. What is the relationship between a country's economic development and resource consumption?
8. What happened on Easter Island, and why is it significant to our study of sustainability and environmental science?
9. Why is the ecological footprint the tool of choice for most measures of lifestyle impact on the environment?
10. Humanity’s ecological footprint is already beyond what Earth can sustain, yet approximately 1/3 of the world
population lives on less than $2 per day. How can we provide resources for everyone while reducing our footprint?
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Notes for Module 3
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"The Scientific Method"
Key Terms:
Scientific method Hypothesis Null Hypothesis Replication
Sample Size (n) Accuracy Precision Uncertainty
Theory Control group Natural experiment Environmental justice
1. Why is the scientific method necessary in order to advance human understanding of the world?
2. What role do hypotheses play in scientific inquiry, and why are null hypothesis used sometimes?
3. Why is dissemination of findings & peer review of research so important in science?
4. What is required for an idea to be considered a theory, in a scientific sense? Consider "the theory of evolution".
5. What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
6. Why are both natural AND controlled experiments necessary to increasing scientific understanding?
7. How do the roles of natural experiments and controlled experiments differ in the scientific process?
8. If you had to summarize the scientific worldview in a single sentence, what would it be?
9. What factors make research in environmental science particularly difficult?
10. What are the goals of the environmental justice movement, and why are they relevant to achieving sustainability?
Review Q's (pg25) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
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Notes for Module 4

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Pages: 33 - 43 ; 64 - 65
MODULE 4 GUIDE Due:
"Systems and Matter"
Key Terms:
Matter Mass Atom Element
Periodic table Molecule Compound Isotopes
Radioactive decay Half-life Covalent & ionic bonds Acid
Base pH Law of matter conservation Bio terms on pg. 41
1. Opening Story - What does the story of Mono Lake illustrate about human interactions with complex natural systems?
2. What is the difference between an atom, a molecule, a compound, and an isotope?
3. What occurs during radioactive decay? Include reference to how the half-life is determined.
4. Scientists nearly always start their search for alien life by looking for planets with water. Why is it so essential to life?
5. Water has a high 'specific heat capacity', and requires a lot of energy to change its temperature. Use this property to
explain why coastal areas by water tend to have more mild temperature swings than inland regions.
6. How can it be determined whether a substance is an acid or a base? What would need to be measured?
7. Suppose 'Solution A' has a pH of 3, 'Solution B' has a pH of 7, and 'Solution C' has a pH of 10. If Solution B contains
10,000,000 H+ ions in a given volume, how many ions will each of Solution A and Solution C have in equal volumes?
8. As a tree grows, its' mass increases. Why is this not a violation of the law of conservation of matter?
9. If matter is conserved & there is no "somewhere else" to dispose of waste, why isn't Earth filled with waste matter?
10. Why are cells considered the basic unit of life? What essential features or behaviors does "life" have?
Review Q's (pg 42-43) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
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Notes for Module 5

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Pages: 43 - 54 ; 55-56 MODULE 5 GUIDE Due:
"Energy, Flows, and Feedbacks"
Key Terms:
Energy Power Electromagnetic radiation Photon
Potential energy Chemical energy Kinetic energy Temperature
1st law of thermodynamics 2nd law of thermodynamics Energy efficiency Energy quality
Open vs closed system Inputs & outputs in a system Negative feedback loop Positive feedback loop
1. How does the sun transmit energy from millions of miles away into the Earth system?
2. 'Energy' and 'power' are often confused, but aren't the same. Why do we say 'power plants' instead of 'energy plants'?
3. Exothermic reactions give off heat when they occur. Explain what happens in terms of potential and kinetic energy of
the molecules. Do they violate the 1st law of thermodynamics?
4. Use the 2nd law of thermodynamics to explain why lights, engines, muscles, electronics, etc get warm while operating.
5. The 2nd law of thermodynamics says all systems become increasingly random over time, yet life has evolved and
become very complex. How has life been able to persist so well?
6. How can the efficiency of an energy transformation be calculated?
7. Use thermodynamics and the concept of energy quality to explain why we can only burn a gallon of oil as fuel once.
8. What can inputs, outputs, steady states, and feedback loops tell us about the health of environmental systems?
9. Are positive feedbacks always good? Are negative feedbacks always bad? What's the difference between them?
10. WTS - What are the key goals and action steps of Florida's Everglades restoration plans, in terms of inputs and outputs?
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Notes for Module 6

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Pages: 67 - 78 MODULE 6 GUIDE Due:
"The Movement of Energy"
Key Terms:
Biosphere Producer/Autotroph Photosynthesis Cellular respiration
Consumer/Heterotroph Herbivore/primary consumer Carnivore Secondary consumer
Tertiary consumer Trophic levels Food chain Food web
Scavenger Detritivores vs Decomposers GPP NPP
Biomass Standing crop Ecological efficiency Trophic pyramid
1. Opening Story - What problems resulted from deforestation in Haiti, and how did mango trees address it?
2. Why is it challenging to define the boundaries of an ecosystem, and how can we overcome them to study ecosystems?
3. How does most energy originally enter ecosystems, and what types of energy conversion happen to it?
4. How do scavengers, detritovores, and decomposers fit into food webs? Why are their roles so important?
5. Which do you think has more of an influence in shaping an ecosystem - GPP or NPP? Explain how/why.
6. Use Figure 6.7. If an ecosystem receives 10,000 kW of solar energy per year, how much will be captured by GPP? NPP?
7. In Figure 6.8, which ecosystems are most productive? What traits do they share? What do the least productive share?
8. Why is only ~10% of energy stored in biomass at each trophic level transferred up to the next level? Where is the rest?
9. Why must predators in ecosystems with low NPP cover huge ranges to survive (e.g. sharks in oceans, desert birds)?
10. Why does organizing an ecosystem's standing crop of biomass by trophic level produce a pyramid shape? (fig 6.9)
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Notes for Module 7
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Pages: 79 - 90 ; 96
MODULE 7 GUIDE Due:
"The Movement of Matter"
Key Terms:
Biogeochemical cycle Hydrologic cycle Evaporation & transpiration Runoff
Carbon cycle Limiting nutrient Nitrogen cycle (steps) Leaching
Phosphorous cycle Eutrophication (bloom-->hypoxia) Ca, Mg, and K cycle-ish Sulfur cycle
1. What is the difference between a "pool" (or "stock") in a biogeochemical cycle and a "flow" in that cycle?
2. How does the water cycle help facilitate other cycles?
3. What human activities cause an impact on the hydrologic cycle? What are these impacts?
4. Do the Math - How many liters of water are needed each year to water the plantation of 900 mango trees?
5. Explain the difference between the "fast" and "slow" parts of the carbon cycle.
6. Which natural processes normally return buried carbon to the atmosphere, balancing out sedimentation?
7. How does Andrew Knoll's idea that “Prokaryotic metabolisms form the fundamental ecological circuitry of life; bacteria,
not mammals, underpin the efficient and long-term functioning of the biosphere" relate to the nitrogen cycle?
8. The sulfur cycle and phosphorous cycle operate similarly. What general processes & characteristics make them alike?
9. Which 2 macronutrients most frequently serve as limiting nutrients in ecosystems? Do terrestrial & aquatic ones differ?
10. WTS - Why do golf courses have "poor environmental reputations", and how does ACSP address that?
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Notes for Module 8

Pages: 91 - 95
MODULE 8 GUIDE Due:
"Responses to Distrubances"
Key Terms:
Disturbance Watershed Resistance Resilience
Restoration ecology Intermediate disturbance
hypothesis
1. What types of disturbances can pose a large threat to humanity?
2. Are all disturbances bad in an ecosystem? Explain.
3. What makes ecosystems resistant to disturbances? What factors do you think influence how resistant an ecosystem is?
4. In restoration ecology, why might it be challenging to return a damaged ecosystem to original its state/function?
5. Why do scientists often select watersheds as an area to study energy and matter flows in ecosystems?
6. What have researchers learned about biogeochemical cycles by studying the Hubbard Brook watersheds?
7. Suppose ecosystem A experiences few disruptions, ecosystem B experiences an intermediate level of disturbances, and
ecosystem C experiences many disruptions, but all 3 have roughly equivalent NPP and stored biomass. Which
ecosystem would you expect to have the highest resistance? Which would have the highest resiliency? Why?
8. How does the mix of species found in ecosystems vary with their frequency of disturbance? Why?
9. What does the intermediate disturbance hypothesis tell us about nature's capacity to endure and respond to change?
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Notes for Module 9

Pages: 103 - 109
MODULE 9 GUIDE Due:
"The Unequal Heating of Earth"
Key Terms:
Climate Weather Troposphere Stratosphere
Angle of sun rays to Earth Albedo Earth's tilt Solstice & equinox
1. Opening Story - How does the story of wine grapes demonstrate the influence of climate on human well-being?
2. What two abiotic factors primarily determine which species of plants and animals can live in an area?
3. What is the difference between weather and climate? Why do we predict 'weather' on TV?
4. Why does air pressure decrease as you move higher in the atmosphere?
5. What is the chemical formula for ozone, where is the ozone layer located, and how does it protect humans?
6. What notable functions occur in the thermosphere and exosphere?
7. Why does the angle at which sunlight strikes a location on Earth influence its temperature? Apply this to polar regions.
8. How does the albedo of Earth's surface affect its temperature?
9. How are melting ice from climate change and increasing paved surfaces from urbanization influencing Earth's albedo?
10. Why does the northern hemisphere experience winter during the southern hemisphere's summer, and vice versa?
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Notes for Module 10

Pages: 110 - 116
MODULE 10 GUIDE Due:
"Air Currents"
Key Terms:
Saturation point Adiabatic cooling Adiabatic heating Latent heat release (rain)
Atmospheric convection Hadley cell ITCZ Polar cell
Ferrell cell Coriolis effect Rain shadow
1. Explain why warm air rises and cool air sinks.
2. Why is warm, rising air associated with precipitation?
3. What types of conditions are found where air in a circulation cell (such as a Hadley cell) returns to Earth from up high?
4. Where does the original energy that drives circulation of the atmosphere come from?
5. What is the ITCZ, and why does it move over the year?
6. What is the combined effect of convection currents in determining patterns of temperature and precipitation on Earth?
7. The Coriolis Effect deflects moving objects (such as molecules in a mass of air) in a _____________ direction in the
northern hemisphere and a ____________________ direction in the southern hemisphere
8. Is there any location on Earth that experiences no coriolis effect? Explain.
9. In figure 10.6, which two forces combine to produce the total global prevailing wind patterns?
10. Why do conditions vary so drastically on the windward and leeward sides of a mountain creating a rain shadow?
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Notes for Module 11

Pages: 117 - 121
"Ocean Currents"
Key Terms:
Gyre Upwelling Thermohaline circulation ENSO (El Niño)
1. Explain how oceanic currents distribute heat around the world.
2. How does warm water near the tropics behave, and where does it primarily flow towards?
3. What role do winds play in shaping oceanic currents?
4. Why do ocean currents tend to move clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern?
5. Upwelling is a process in which __________________________________________________________. It is caused by
__________________________________ and is important to humans because ________________________________
6. How does thermohaline circulation differ from oceanic surface currents and gyres?
7. How do oceanic currents affect the temperature & precipitation patterns of nearby landmasses?
8. Where does the water in the Gulf Stream originate, where does it flow to, and what is its' overall effect?
9. What occurs during an El Nino event? Compare & contrast to "normal conditions".
10. What effects does ENSO have on humans?
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Notes for Module 12

Pages: 121-132, 139-140 MODULE 12 GUIDE Due:
"Terrestrial Biomes"
Key Terms:
Terrestrial biome Aquatic biome Tundra Permafrost
Boreal forest Temperate rainforest Temperate seasonal forest Woodland/shrubland
Temperate grassland Tropical rainforest Tropical seasonal forest Subtropical desert
1. What 2 variables do climate diagrams (ie fig 12.4, 12.5, etc...) plot over time? Why are these 2 chosen?
2. Why can plant life be used to help classify biomes, with similar species be found in similar biomes, even if far apart?
3. What types of plants dominate the tundra, and what is its soil like?
4. What distinctive characteristics do evergreen trees in boreal forest (aka taiga) display? How do humans utilize taiga?
5. What characteristics have led humanity to convert most temperate grasslands to use for agriculture or grazing land?
6. Why are tropical forest soils are poor in nutrients, despite high biodiversity? And how has this affected farming?
7. Why do savannas experience such drastic seasonal differences in rainfall? How does this affect the plants & animals?
8. What types of plants dominate subtropical deserts, and why are they so vulnerable to disruption?
9. Working Towards Sustainability - Why is shade-grown coffee better for the environment?
10. Working Towards Sustainability - How has coffee production changed to help minimize the problems with pest control?
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Notes for Module 13

Pages: 133 - 139 MODULE 13 GUIDE Due:
"Aquatic Biomes"
Key Terms:
Rivers Littoral zone Limnetic zone Profundal zone
Benthic zone Oligotrophic (lake) Mesotrophic (lake) Eutrophic (lake)
Freshwater wetlands Salt marsh Estuary Mangrove swamp
Intertidal zone Coral reef Coral bleaching Photic & aphotic zones
1. Which types of species tend to dominate river ecosystems?
2. How do conditions between fast-moving 'headwaters' (or sources) of rivers differ from slow-moving 'mouths' of rivers?
3. Where are the majority of producers in a lake located?
4. What separates the limnetic zone from the profundal zone in a lake?
5. Where would you expect to find the largest food webs - oligotrophic, mesotrophic, or eutrophic lakes? Explain.
6. What characteristic defines a wetlands?
7. Why are wetlands so ecologically productive, and what valuable ecosystem services do they provide to humans?
8. What is the difference between a "marine" biome and a "freshwater" biome?
9. Where are coral reefs generally found, how are they built, and why are they under heavy threat from bleaching?
10. Do the vast open oceans areas deeper than ~200 meters and away from coastlines support much life? Explain.
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Notes for Module 14

Pages: 147 - 153
"The Biodiversity of the Earth"
Key Terms:
Species richness Species eveness Phylogeny
1. Opening Story - What does the story of the Dung of the Devil illustrate about the value of biodiversity of humans?
2. Many traditional societies (such as indigenous tribes) have cultural traditions of using certain plants or animals as part
of medicinal treatments. How can we determine which ones actually have an effect, and which ones are superstition?
3. How many species have been discovered so far, how many are estimated to exist, and why is an accurate count hard?
4. Can an ecosystem have high species richness and low species eveness, or vice versa? Explain
5. Why is it important to measure "baseline" species richness and eveness in an ecosystem?
6. Do you think species richness or species eveness is a more important property in helping ecosystems endure changes?
7. How do scientists determine the positions of species on a phylogenetic tree?
8. What techniques and evidence are used by scientists to create phylogenic trees?
9. In Figure 14.3, what key features do chipmunks and trout share?
10. In Figure 14.3, which species evolved most recently? How do we know?
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Notes for Module 15

Pages: 154 - 163
"How Evolution Creates Biodiversity"
Key Terms:
Evolution Gene Genotype & Phenotype Mutation
Artificial selection Natural selection Adaptation Gene flow
Genetic drift Bottleneck effect Extinction Founder effect
1. Evolution acts on phenotype, not genotype' - explain the importance of this statement.
2. Explain how genetic diversity (the 'raw material') of evolution is created.
3. Are mutations harmful or helpful for a species? Explain.
4. What have been the benefits and drawbacks of humans' artificial selection on crop and animal species?
5. Why do most pests gain resistance over time to the pesticides designed to kill them?
6. Why are overproduction of offspring and differential reproductive success crucial for natural selection to occur?
7. In artificial selection, humans are doing the selecting to shape evolution. How is selection done in natural selection?
8. How can random processes cause evolution? How do these processes differ from natural and artificial selection?
9. Gene flow and the founder effect both involve random evolution through migration of individuals. How do they differ?
10. Where are genetic drift and botteneck effects more likely to happen - large populations or small ones? Explain why
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Notes for Module 16

Pages: 164-168,184-
187 "Speciation and the Pace of Evolution"
Key Terms:
Allopatric speciation Sympatric speciation GMO
1. Describe the process through which allopatric speciation splits 1 species into 2 distinct ones.
2. How can sympatric speciation occur, even if individuals are not geographically isolated and are capable of reproducing?
3. What factors influence the rate of evolutionary change in a species?
4. Why does the speed of environmental change heavily influence the ability of species to evolve in response?
5. How have humans unintentionally caused artificial selection to occur in many fish populations?
6. How are GMOs created?
7. Science Applied - What defines a biodiversity hotspot, and why are they important to protect?
8. Science Applied - In Figure SA2.2 (pg185), what general trends are there in the locations of biodiversity hot spots? Why?
9. Science Applied - What factors (other than species diversity) must be considered when evaluating an area for
conservation?
10. Science Applied - We have limited resources and lots of biodiversity in need of protection. What do you think we should
prioritize to maximize biodiversity conservation?
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Notes for Module 17

Pages: 168-175
"Evolution of Niches and Species Distributions"
Key Terms:
Range of tolerance Fundamental niche Realized niche Distribution (of species)
Niche generalist Niche specialist Mass extinction 6th mass extinction
1. How does a species' reproductive success vary within its range of tolerance for various abiotic factors?
2. How do a species’ range of tolerance for various conditions determine its fundamental niche?
3. Why don’t species always use their full fundamental niche?
4. What are some of the major differences between niche generalists and niche specialists?
5. Are niche generalists or specialists more likely survive rapid environmental change?
6. How is global climate change expected to affect species distributions? How could scientists determine the likely effect
on a particular species?
7. The average lifespan of a species is just 1-10 million years. Why do you think there are such a high rates of speciation
and extinction constantly occurring throughout the history of life on Earth?
8. How does the 6th mass extinction differ from all previous ones?
9. Working Towards Sustainability - What types of ecosystems does TNC target for purchase, and why?
10. Working Towards Sustainability - How can TNC's strategy help reduce biodiversity loss?
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Notes for Module 18

Pages: 189 - 195
"The Abundance and Distribution of Populations"
Key Terms:
Population Community Population ecology Population size (N)
Population density Population distribution Sex ratio Age structure
Limiting resource Density-dependent factor Density-indepedent factor Carrying capacity (K)
1. Opening Story - What happened after the New England farmland was abandoned, and what does this demonstrate?
2. This module will focus on populations. What defines 'a population', and how is it different from a community?
3. Which level of analysis would be most appropriate for a scientist to use in each scenario?
--Monitoring the Grey Wolves of Yosemite --Evaluating the status of the Florida Everglades
--Investigating connections among organisms in soil --Examining the impact of lead on human brain growth
4. How does the opening story demonstrate the importance of community-level analysis of ecology?
5. When considering a population as a system, what 2 processes are inputs that increase population size and
what 2 processes are outputs that decrease population size?
Input 1 (+): Output 1 (-):
Input 2 (+): Output 2 (-):
6. Why is it important to know the population sex ratio and age structure?
7. How can increasing population density act to limit that population's growth?
8. How do density-dependent and density-independent factors affect a population's size? Provide examples of each.
9. What are typical limiting resources for plants? For animals?
10. What is the relationship between limiting factors for a population and its environment's carrying capacity?
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Notes for Module 19

"Population Growth Models"
Key Terms:
Population growth models Population growth rate Intrinsic growth rate (r) Exponential growth model
J-Curve Logistic growth model S-Curve Overshoot & Die-off
K-selected species r-selected species Survivorship curves (I, II, III) Metapopulation
1. What does the intrinsic growth rate of a species measure? How does it vary among species? (consider r/k selection,etc)
2. What occurs in logistical growth when a growing population approaches the carrying capacity?
3. Can populations exceed carrying capacity in the short term? In the long term? What happens if they do?
4. In Figure 19.4, why doesn't the population stay steady at the level of the carrying capacity?
5. How do predator-prey dynamics influence the populations of BOTH predators and prey? Consider Figure 19.5
6. Which types of species are better able to survive environmental change - r- or k-selected? Explain.
7. How do r- and k-selection influence survivorship curves?
8. What is a metapopulation, and why is it important to study them?
9. Science Applied - How can human action cause some species to become overabundant, and why can this be harmful?
10. Science Applied - How can we control overabundant populations? How might options differ in urban vs rural areas, or
wealthy countries vs poor ones?
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Notes for Module 20

"Community Ecology"
Key Terms:
Community ecology Symbiotic relationship Competition (-/-) Competitive exclusion principle
Resource partitioning Predation (+/-) Commensalism (+/0) Keystone species
1. How did Gause's experiments with paramecia demonstrate the competitive exclusion principle of competition?
2. Why is resource partitioning advantageous for species that would otherwise compete for the same realized niche?
3. Identify each of the following as an example of (1: the competitive exclusion principle), (2: temporal
resource partitioning), (3: spatial resource partitioning) or (4: morphological resource partitioning):
i. Several species of birds hunt insects in the same type of tree, but each feeds in a different part of the tree
ii. When wolves absent, Yosemite's deer overgrazed many plant species and drove out other herbivores
iii. Many different species of bats use a single watering hole, but each at different times
iv. Different species of butterfly have tongues of varying lengths, each specialized to different flower shapes
v. Invasive species that out-compete native species for key resources often drive the native species extinct
4. What types of strategies have prey animals evolved to resist predation?
5. Under what conditions would natural selection favor mutualism between two species?
6. How could an ecologist identify a keystone species in any given ecosystem?
7. Why are sea stars and beavers considered to be keystone species in their habitats?
8. In Figure 20.12, why did the absence of one single species (starfish) cause overall species richness to drop so much?
9. Working Towards Sustainability - What does the story of the black-footed ferret illustrate? Why is it important?
Review Q's (pg 212 ) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
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Notes for Module 21

Pages: 212 - 217
"Community Succession"
Key Terms:
Ecological succession Primary succession Secondary succession Pioneer species
Theory of island biogeogrphy
1. Describe the process in which bare rock is converted to soil in primary succession, and the species involved.
2. Where do the mineral and organic components of the new soil come from?
3. What role do mid-successional species such as grasses and wildflowers play in transforming soil?
4. Why do mid-successional species eventually get displaced by late-succession species?
5. True/false: the number of species present always increases as succession proceeds.

True/false: The Opening Story describes a sequence of primary succession
True/false: In the Opening Story, Goldenrods are late-successional species
6. How does secondary succession differ from primary succession?
7. What are some similarities between the progression of species in BOTH primary and secondary succession?
8. Why has the use of the term climax stage fallen out of favor among scientists?
9. Where/how does succession occur in the rocky intertidal zone of the Pacific Coast?
10. Describe how lakes become filled in during aquatic succession.
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Notes for Module 22

Pages: 225 - 236
"Human Population Numbers"
Key Terms:
Demography; demographics Crude Birth Rate (CBR) Crude Death Rate (CDR) Doubling time (rule of 70)
Total fertility rate (TFR) Replacement-level fertility Life expectancy Infant mortality
Net migration rate Age structure diagram Population pyramid Population momentum
1. Opening Story - In addition to population growth, economic development is increasing resource consumption in China.
Which do you think plays a bigger role in achieving sustainability: population growth or economic development?
2. Opening Story - Considering China’s growth, do you think the strict measures taken by the country’s government to
reduce growth (such as the One Child Policy) are justified? Or is this a violation of human rights?
3. The population and resource problems facing China are playing out all over the world in poor countries. Is it
possible for developed countries to help solve these problems, or must each country solve things for itself?
4. What was Malthus' prediction about the carrying capacity of the Earth, and was he so wrong?
5. In the long run, will Malthus be right? Can we continue raising carrying capacity in future? What growth limits exist?
6. What is the formula for growth rate in a specific country? Once the rate is known, how can doubling time be found?
7. Explain why replacement-level fertility can vary from country to country.
8. Which regions of the world have short life expectancies, which regions have long ones, and why? (Figure 22.5)
9. How do the age structures of poor, developing countries contrast with wealthy, developed ones? Why?
10. Why does China have such a unique shape to its age-structure diagram (Fig 22.8d)? How will this affect China's future?
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Notes for Module 23

Pages: 237 - 248
"Economic Development, Consumption, and Sustainability"
Key Terms:
Demographic transition Affluence Family planning I=PAT equation
Gross domesti product (GDP) Urban area
1. Explain the cause of the demographic transition and its effects on a country's population.
2. What happens to birth rates, death rates, and growth rates during each of the 4 stages of the demographic transition?
3. Based on the differing approaches and results of Thailand, Kenya and China in promoting family planning to control
their populations, what do you think the key is to most-effectively reducing population growth in developing countries?
4. How does the annual growth rate of developing countries differ from developed ones? Why?
5. Considering Figures 23.5, 23.6, and 23.7, which countries do you think have the most impact on the environment?
6. Where is most of the future growth of the population expected to occur? What types of countries? Which region(s)?
7. What do the 4 terms in the I = P x A x T equation stand for, and why is each important?
8. How can the technology factor of the equation work to either increase OR decrease a society's environmental impact?
9. Can societies increase population & affluence without affecting the environment? Is sustainable development possible?
10. Working Towards Sustainability - What can we learn from the success of Kerala in controlling population growth?
Review Q's (pg 246-247 ) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
49
Notes for Module 24

Pages: 259 - 273
"Mineral Resources & Geology"
Key Terms:
Core Magma Mantle Asthenosphere
Lithosphere Crust Hot spot Plate tectonics
Subduction Volcano Divergent plate boundary Convergent plate boundary
Transform plate boundary Earthquake Epicenter Richter scale
Rock cycle Igneous rock Sedimentary rock Metamorphic rock
1. Opening Story - Even though electric and hybrid vehicles reduce fossil fuel consumption, they still have a significant
environmental impact. Explain why, and describe some of these impacts.
2. Where did all the elements that make up our planet originally come from, and how can we explain the origin of Earth's
vertical zonation into layers?
3. What causes tectonic plates to move, and what evidence do we have that they have done so? (hint: Alfred Wegner)
4. How do the properties of oceanic crust and continental crust rock differ? What happens when they converge?
5. What processes can lead to the formation of volcanic islands in the ocean?
6. How much stronger is a 5.0 earthquake than a 2.0? Why do you think 2.0 earthquakes are abundant but 5.0+ are rare?
7. Why are seismic activity and volcanic activity often found in the same locations?
8. What is the relationship between elements, minerals, and rocks?
9. Does the rock cycle proceed in any particular order, or are there many paths a rock takes through its transformations?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
51
Notes for Module 25

Pages: 274 - 288
"Weathering and Soil Science" (...and mining)
Key Terms:
Physical weathering Chemical weathering Acid precipitation Erosion
Parent material Soil degradation O Horizon A horizon
E horizon B horizon C horizon Soil texture (pg280)
Soil permeability (pg280) Cation exchange capacity Ore Metal
Strip mining Mining spoils/tailings Open-pit mining Acid mine drainage (pg284)
Mountaintop removal Placer mining Subsurface mining SMCRA (law) (pg285)
1. How does soil link the rock cycle and biosphere?
2. Why are weathering and erosion important to the cycling of chemical elements on Earth?
3. How and why do soil horizons form? Can the presence and thickness of horizons vary across soils? Explain.
4. What role do organisms play in soil development?
5. What soil texture is considered ideal for agriculture? Why do you think this mix of sand, silt and clay is best?
6. Can soils have both a high CEC and high permeability? Explain why or why not.
7. Which two elements make up 74% of Earth's crust? Why are valuable ores typically surrounded by less valuable rock?
8. Which types of mining techniques have the highest impacts on the environment, and what are those impacts?
9. How has the US government attempted to influence the ways in which mining is done? What regulations exist?
10. Working Towards Sustainability - What factors led to Trapper Mine reclamation success, and what can we learn from it?
1. 6.
2.
3.
4.
5.
53
Notes for Module 26

Pages: 293 - 301
"The Availability of Water"
Key Terms:
Aquifer Unconfined aquifer Confined aquifer Water table
Groundwater recharge Artesian well Cone of depression Saltwater intrusion
Floodplain Impermeable surface
1. Opening Story - What can we learn from the conflict over salmon in the Klamath River, and the way it was resolved?
2. Where is most of Earth's total water found? Where is most of its accessible fresh water found?
3. Why do confined and unconfined aquifers recharge at different rates? Which is more sustainable to use for irrigation?
4. What negative consequences can occur if water from aquifers is overdrawn?
5. What is happening to the Ogallala aquifer in the United States?
6. How does saltwater intrusion occur?
7. How have did rivers influence patterns of early human settlement? Why are they still important today?
8. What processes can lead to the formation of lakes and ponds?
9. How can droughts actually wind up causing floods once the rains return?
10. How can human activities contribute to droughts? When has this occurred before?
1.
2.
3.
4.
55
Notes for Module 27

"Human Alteration of Water Availability"
Key Terms:
Levee Dike Dam Reservoir
Fish ladder Aqueduct Distillation Reverse Osmosis
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of building levees?
2. What are the primary purposes for building dams?
3. What are the drawbacks of constructing dams on a river?
4. How do dams alter the ecology of the rivers they block?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of building aqueducts to supply water?
6. Why does the construction of dams, aqueducts, etc intensify conflicts over water ownership & usage rights?
7. What happened to the Aral Sea, and what can we learn from it?
8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the two main desalination techniques?
9. Considering all the techniques discussed in this module, what advice would you give a developing country looking to
increase its access to fresh water?
10. Science Applied - What historical factors have led to CA's water wars, and how can we balance demands on our water?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
57
Notes for Module 28

"Human Use of Water Now and in the Future"
Key Terms:
Water footprint Furrow irrigation Flood irrigation Spray irrigation
Drip irrigation Hydroponic agriculture Gray water Contaminated water
1. How does the water footprint vary for different types of countries?
2. Why is agriculture such a huge user of water?
3. Which irrigation practices are MOST efficient, and which ones are least-efficient?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages to hydroponic agriculture?
5. What are the major industrial uses for water?
6. Which household activities have the biggest impact on water consumption?
7. Approximately how many people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water? What effects does it have on people?
8. Why is it harder to determine ownership of water than of many other resources?
9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using market-pricing of water to allocate usage?
10. What types of steps are important for water conservation?
11. Working Towards Sustainability - How can gray water be used to improve the sustainability of our water usage?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
59
Notes for Module 29

"Land Use Concepts and Classification"
Key Terms:
Tragedy of the commons Externality Maximum sustainably yield Multiple-use lands
National park Managed Resource Habitat/Species Nature Reserve / Wilderness
Protected Area Management Area Area
1. Opening Story - Compare the Pacific Lumber logging plan with Maxxam’s. Which one is better for the
environment and why.
2. Opening Story - Maxxam legally owned the land which it was cutting and on which Julia staged her protest.
Her actions broke the law and cost the company millions of dollars. Were her actions justified?
3. In the tragedy of the commons, each farmer pursues his best interest. Shouldn’t this lead to the best overall
outcome, as each individual has maximized his or her own well-being?
4. How can government regulation of resources solve the tragedy of the commons?
5. How can private ownership of resources solve the tragedy of the commons without requiring government
intervention?
6. How can using the concept of maximum sustainable yield help avoid the tragedy of the commons?
7. Approximately what percentage of Earth’s land is legally protected in some way for environmental reasons?
8. Considering Figure 29.5, where (which states) is the majority of US publically owned land?
9. According to Figure 29.6, what are the 3 largest uses for total (private + public) land usage in the USA?
1. 5.
2.
3.
4.
61
Notes for Module 30

"Land Management Practices"
Key Terms:
Rangeland Clear-cutting Selective cutting Sustainable forest
Tree plantation Prescribed burn National wildlife refuge National wilderness area
NEPA (law) Environmental impact statement Environmental mitigation plan Suburb & Exurb
Urban sprawl Urban blight Zoning Smart growth
Transit-oriented development Infill Urban growth boundary Eminent domain
1. Why are rangelands so fragile? Why do we continue to heavily use them despite their fragility?
2. Have the Taylor Act and BLM regulation been successful in protecting rangelands from degradation? Explain.
3. How does the amount of money the government spends on timber programs compare to income from these activities?
4. Why is selective cutting less damaging to the environment than clear-cutting? What problems does it still have?
5. What are the main problems with tree plantations?
6. What is the natural role of fires in many ecosystems? What have been the consequences of humans suppressing fires?
7. Why were national parks established, and what principals does the National Park Service follow managing them today?
8. Why have suburban and exurban areas been growing so rapidly in recent years? What effects has this had?
9. Generally speaking, how do the principals of smart growth reduce cities' impact on the environment?
10. Working Towards Sustainability - How has the DSNI implemented smart growth to solve the neighborhoods' problems?
Review Q's (pg 349-350 ) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
63
Notes for Module 31

"Human Nutritional Needs"
Key Terms:
Undernutrition Malnutrition Food security/insecurity Famine
Overnutrition Anemia Grain (pg 260) Meat
1. Opening Story - What principles does Salatin follow when running his farm & why has it attracted attention?
2. Opening Story - What is the significance to society of farms producing foods the way that Salatin’s does?
3. What has been the trend in world hunger in recent decades?
4. How much food does the average adult require in terms of calories per day, and what is the distinction between
undernutrition and malnourishment?
5. What is overnutrition, and what are its effects on individuals and societies?
6. Who is most at risk of food insecurity, what are its effects on individuals and society, and what can be done about it?
7. Which type of crop dominates human energy intake, accounting for 60% of our raw calories?
8. Even though the world produces enough total food to feed every human, why do undernutrition, malnutrition, and
food insecurity persist?
9. How does a population's consumption of meat change as it develops? Why does this have large environmental impact?
10. Working Towards Sustainability - What are the advantages and disadvantages of BOTH annual & perennial crops?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
65
Notes for Module 32

"Modern Large-Scale Farming Methods"
Key Terms:
Industrial agriculture Energy subsidy Green revolution Economies of scale
Waterlogging Salinization Organic fertilizer Synthetic fertilizer
Monocropping Insecticide Herbicide Broad-spectrum pesticide
Pesticide persistence Pesticide treadmill CAFO Fishery
Fishery collapse Bycatch
1. What major changes took place in farming practices during the 20th century?
2. In Figure 32.11, what types of food production require high energy subsidies? Low ones? Why do you think this is so?
3. Why does modern agriculture depend so heavily on fossil fuels?
4. What changes did the Green Revolution bring, and what were its positive and negative effects?
5. Why has production shifted from small-scale farms to large-scale farms in modern agriculture?
6. How do salinization and waterlogging of soil occur? What are the problems of each?
7. How are heavy usage of monocropping and pesticides linked? What are the problems with relying on this combo?
8. How is modern genetic engineering of foods different from the artificial selection humans have been performing on
crops and animals for thousands of years? To what extent do you think it should be used in agriculture?
9. Why are CAFOs widely used, and what are the major environmental problems associated with them?
10. What has been responsible for dramatic overfishing in recent years, and what have been the effects?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
67
Notes for Module 33

Pages: 374-38; 392-395 MODULE 33 GUIDE Due:
"Alternatives to Industrial Farming Methods"
Key Terms:
Shifting agriculture Desertification Nomadic grazing Sustainable agriculture
Intercropping Crop rotation Agroforestry Contour plowing
Perennial vs annual plant No-till agriculture Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Organic Agriculture
Individual Transfer Quota (ITQ) Aquaculture
1. Why is small-scale farming still common in many developing countries?
2. Where is shifting agriculture most likely to be practiced, and what techniques characterize it?
3. What are the goals of sustainable agriculture?
4. How can polyculture like intercropping, crop rotation, and agroforestry make agriculture more sustainable?
5. How do contour plowing and no-till farming help make agriculture more sustainable?
6. What types of strategies does IPM use, and what are its advantages and disadvantages compared to pesticide reliance?
7. Why is free-range meat (chicken, beef, etc) generally considered better for the environment than CAFO meat?
8. How can ITQs help address the tragedy of the commons in global fisheries?
9. How do the environmental advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture compare to current fishing methods?
10. Science Applied - What exactly does "organic" food mean? What does this mean for that food's environmental impact?
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
69
Notes for Module 34

Pages: 397-408, 426
"Patterns of Energy Use"
Key Terms:
Fossil fuel Nonrenewable energy resource Nuclear fuel Commercial energy source
Subsistence energy source Energy carrier Turbine Electrical grid
Combined cycle Capacity EROEI (pg 402) Cogeneration
1. Opening Story - What is the overall problem with our current reliance on fossil fuels?
2. How are fossil fuels originally formed?
3. Using Figure 34.1, rank the fossil fuels in order of (worldwide) usage, and list a few activities each is used for.
4. In the US "energy system", what are the inputs? What are the outputs? (pg 401)
5. How does energy use differ across geographic regions of the US, and in different seasons?
6. What types of considerations go into choosing the best energy source for a particular situation?
7. Why is energy efficiency in transportation so important to achieving energy sustainability?
8. Explain how electricity is generated and distributed, and why it is so useful and powerful for modern society.
9. How can technologies like combined cycle and cogeneration in power plants increase efficiency?
10. Working Towards Sustainability - Even though TED doesn't directly reduce energy use, it can still help reduce
consumption. How is this, and what does it say about the larger social process of moving to energy sustainability?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
71
Notes for Module 35

Pages: 409 - 417
"Fossil Fuel Resources"
Key Terms:
Coal Petroleum Crude oil Oil sands
Bitumen Coal To Liquid (CTL) Hubbert curve Peak oil
1. Describe the process of coal formation, including the different types and their properties.
2. What are the advantages of coal usage, and how is it generally used?
3. What harmful products are released when coal is burned?
4. How can coal washing and waste ash storage cause problems?
5. How does petroleum form, and what is typically like by the time it is extracted?
6. How is crude oil refined into various products such as tar, asphalt, gasoline, diesel, etc?
7. What are the advantages of petroleum, and how is it generally used?
8. What are the main problems associated with petroleum usage and extraction?
9. What are the advantages of natural gas, and how is it generally used?
10. What are the disadvantages to using natural gas?
11. What is the significance of the Hubbert curve and the concept of "peak oil" for our society?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
73
Notes for Module 36

Pages: 418 - 425
"Nuclear Energy Resources"
Key Terms:
Fission Fuel rod Control rod Radioactive waste
1. How is nuclear fission (decay) used to generate electricity?
2. How does the energy content of 1 gram of 235U compare to 1 gram of coal? What is the significance of this?
3. Explain how fission can occur in a self-sustaining chain reaction.
4. How are fuel rods and control rods used to control the temperature of the water in a nuclear power plant?
5. What are the environmental impacts of mining Uranium to produce nuclear fuel?
6. What are the major advantages of nuclear power?
7. Describe what led to the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents, as well as their effects on surrounding areas.
8. Why is high-level nuclear waste considered more dangerous than the other 2 types?
9. Do the Math - You have 180 g of a substance with a half-life of 265 years. After 1,325 years, what mass remains?
10. Why is nuclear waste so difficult to dispose of, and how do nuclear plants currently store their waste?
11. In comparing the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy with fossil-fuel-based electricity
generation plants (coal and gas), do you think nuclear energy represents a preferable option? Explain.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
75
Notes for Module 37

"Conservation, Efficiency, and Renewable Energy"
Key Terms:
Energy conservation Tiered rate system Peak demand Passive solar design
Thermal mass Potentially renewable Nondepletable Renewable
1. Opening Story – What did the people of William Kamkwamba’s village initially think of windmill plan? What
changed their mind?
2. Review from Chapter 2:

1st Law of Thermodynamics 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Definition
Example
3. Why have some electric companies adopted a tiered rate system? Why might some customers consider it an
unfair practice?
4. What are some examples of passive solar design? How is this part of sustainable building practices?
5. Differentiate between nonrenewable, potentially renewable and nondepletable energy sources. Include
a few examples of each.
6. Which of the above categories does electricity fall into? Why?
Review Q's (pg. 439 ) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
77
Notes for Module 38

Pages: Due:
440-449
MODULE 38 GUIDE
"Biomass & Water"
Key Term ID's (flashcards):
Biofuels Fossil Carbon Ethanol Hydroelectricity

Modern Carbon Carbon Neutral Biodiesel Tidal Energy
Net Removal Flex-Fuel Vehicle Siltation
1. How are fossil fuels related to the Sun?
2. How are renewable energies (e.g. wind & hydroelectric) related to the Sun?
3. What is the difference in carbon emissions between biofuels and fossil fuels?
4. What is one advantage for each of these solid biomass fuels: Wood, Charcoal, & Manure?
5. What is one disadvantage for each solid biomass fuel listed above?
6. What are 2 advantages & 2 disadvantages of ethanol?
7. What are 2 advantages & 2 disadvantages of biodiesels?
8. What’s one advantage of each type of Hydroelectric Systems: Run-of-the-River, Water Impoundment, & Tidal?
9. What’s one disadvantage of each type of Hydroelectric System: Run-of-the-River, Water Impoundment, & Tidal?
10. What are 2 ways that water impoundment systems generate greenhouse gas emissions?
Review Q's (pg 449) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
79
Notes for Module 39

Pages: Due:
449-460
MODULE 39 GUIDE
"Solar, Wind, Geothermal & Hydrogen"
Active Solar Energy Photovoltaic Solar Cell Wind Turbine Geothermal Energy
Ground Source Heat Pump Fuel Cell Electrolysis
1. How does active solar energy differ from passive solar energy?
2. Describe how a solar thermal power plant works.
3. How does the sun create wind energy?
4. How many homes does an average wind turbine power during the course of a year?
5. What are some reasons (cited in the textbook) why wind energy has not been popular in the USA?
6. How can geothermal be considered both nondepletable and depleteable at the same time?
7. Why is a ground source heat pump considered more “solar energy” than “geothermal energy”?
8. What is the chemical reaction taking place inside a hydrogen fuel cell? Write the equation in the space below.
9. Why is it a challenge to have a supply of hydrogen?
10. What are 2 real-world sources of hydrogen?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
81
Notes for Module 40

Pages: Due:
460-465
MODULE 40 GUIDE
"Planning Our Energy Future"
Smart Grid
1. What is the difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation?
2. What are 3 specific limitations of many renewable energy resources?
3. Why does 5-10% of the electricity generated in the U.S. gets lost as it’s transported along transmission lines?
4. Why do energy scientists recommend that wind & solar should not make up more than 20% of our total electricity?
5. Describe a scenario how smart grid technology could reduce a homeowner’s electric bill.
6. How does a smart grid help to alleviate energy peak loads?
7. Describe a small-scale electricity generation park.
8. What are the benefits of these parks?
9. How can the government encourage consumers to invest in wind, solar, and other renewable resources?
10. What areas of research should the government encourage to achieve a sustainable energy future for our country?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
83
Notes for Module 41
84
"Wastewater from Humans & Livestock”

Water pollution Point source Nonpoint source biochemical oxygen demand
dead zone eutrophication cultural eutrophication indicator species
fecal coliform bacteria septic tank sludge leach field
primary sewage treatment secondary sewage treatment manure lagoon
1. Identify two examples of point sources and two examples of nonpoint sources of water pollution.
2. Which type of water pollution (point or nonpoint) is more challenging to control and why?
3. What are the three reasons environmental scientists are concerned about wastewater as a pollutant?
4. What does it indicate if BOD is high? Explain.
5. What is the difference between eutrophication and cultural eutrophication?
6. Describe the process of cultural eutrophication and what it causes?
7. What are three examples of pathogens that can be passed on to humans through contaminated water?
8. Describe why fecal coliform bacteria are considered indicator species?
9. Describe how a septic tank works? Pros/cons?
10. Describe the steps used by conventional sewage treatment plants to break down our sewage into a relatively safe
effluent that gets dumped into a river, lake, or ocean.
11. When and why is it allowed to dump raw sewage into bodies of water in the U.S.?
12. How are manure lagoons used to handle animals waste from feedlots?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
85
Notes for Module 42

Pages: Due:
491-497
MODULE 42 GUIDE
"Heavy Metals & Other Chemicals"
Acid Deposition Perchlorates Polychlorinated Biphenyls
1. How does LEAD enter the water supply? What are the risks to human health?
2. How does ARSENIC enter the water supply? What are the risks to human health?
3. How does MERCURY enter the water supply? What are the risks to human health?
4. What are the primary causes of ACID DEPOSITION in to water? What risks does it pose to ecosystems and/or
humans?
5. Describe how a coal or wet scrubber works.
6. What is acid mine drainage?
7. What are causes/sources of PESTICIDES & INERT INGREDIENTS? How do they affect ecosystems and/or humans?
8. What are causes/sources of PHARMACEUTICALS & HOROMONES? How do they affect ecosystems and/or
humans?
9. What are causes/sources of MILITARY COMPOUNDS (PERCHLORATES)? How do they affect ecosystems and/or
humans?
10. What are causes/sources of INDUSTRIAL COMPOUNDS (PCBs)? How do they affect ecosystems and/or humans?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
87
Notes for Module 43

Pages: 498-501 MODULE 43 GUIDE (Ch. 14) Due:
"Oil Pollution”
1. Describe some of the details of the Exxon Valdez oil spill as well as ecosystem and economic impacts.
2. What is the status now of water quality and affected species, 25 years later?
3. WHat new rules or regulations have been put into place now to help prevent such a spill from happening again?
4. Compare the Exxon Valdez spill to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil leak.
5. Describe all the ways to remediate oil pollution.
6. What are possible solutions for cleaning up the shorelines impacted by oil?
1.
2.
3.
89
Notes for Module 44

Pages: Due:
502-505
MODULE 44 GUIDE
"Nonchemical Water Pollution"
Thermal Pollution Thermal Shock
1. What is solid waste and what are some sources of it?
2. Describe the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in terms of what it is and how it formed.
3. How does garbage on beaches & in the ocean affect wildlife and people?
4. What is coal ash/slag and what risks are associated with it?
5. Describe 2 human activities that lead to increased sedimentation.
6. How does increased sedimentation affect ecosystems and wildlife?
7. How do humans cause thermal pollution?
8. Besides thermal shock, how else can thermal pollution affect ecosystems/wildlife?
9. How can we decrease thermal pollution?
10. What causes noise pollution in water? What are the effects of noise pollution on wildlife?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
91
Notes for Module 45

Pages: 506-509
MODULE 45 GUIDE (Ch. 14) Due:
"Water Pollution Laws”

Clean Water Act (CWA) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)
1. Describe what the “water quality standards” are in the Clean Water Act?
2. How are the EPA and state governments involved in enforcement of the CWA?
3. Describe how the Safe Drinking Water Act protects our drinking water from pollutants.
4. What are three sources of water pollutants that are not regulated under current U.S. law?
5. Describe what happens to water quality when a country is becoming industrialized, then as a country becomes
more affluent.
1.
2.
3.
4.
93
Notes for Module 46

Pages: Due:
517-527
MODULE 46 GUIDE
"Major Air Pollutants and Their Sources"
Air Pollution Ozone Industrial Smog Primary Pollutant

Particulate Matter (PM) Photochemical Smog Volatile Organic Compound Secondary Pollutant
1. How does Chattanooga’s geography exacerbate its air pollution problems?
2. What are 2 anthropogenic and 2 natural sources of air pollution?
3. What did the original Clean Air Act specifically target?
4. What other pollutants should be added to the Clean Air Act?
5. What is an anthropogenic source of Particulate Matter? What is a natural source of PM?
6. How does the size of PM affect our concern about it?
7. The amount of lead in the atmosphere has decreased over time. Why hasn’t this been the case for mercury?
8. Even though VOC’s are not necessarily hazardous, why are they still considered air pollutants?
9. Differentiate primary vs. secondary pollutants. Give 2 examples of each.
10. What are the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
95
Notes for Module 47

Pages: Due:
527-532
MODULE 47 GUIDE
"_Photochemical Smog & Acid Rain_"
Thermal Inversion Inversion Layer
1. What pollutants are covered specifically under the Clean Air Act?
2. What is the chemical equation of ozone formation? Write it in the space below!
3. What is a natural & anthropogenic source of VOCs?
4. How does an inversion layer exacerbate affect air quality?
5. What causes rain to be naturally acidic? What is the pH of natural rain?
6. What is a natural process that causes acid deposition?
7. What are the 2 most common forms of acid deposition? What are their chemical formulae?
8. What type of ecosystem is most affected by acid deposition? What happens that causes so much ecosystem
harm?
9. How does acid deposition release heavy metals into water?
10. What compound in building marble is susceptible to acid deposition?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
97
Notes for Module 48

Pages: Due:
533-537
MODULE 48 GUIDE
"Pollution Control Measures"
1. What are 2 ways we can PREVENT air pollution?
2. Describe how we can control sulfur oxide emissions.
3. Describe how we can control nitrogen oxide emissions in automobiles.
4. Describe the simplest method of to remove particulate matter.
5. What are baghouse filters? What pollutant does this target?
6. How does an electrostatic precipitator work? What pollutant does this target?
7. How does a (wet) scrubber work? What 2 pollutants does this target?
8. Describe 2 methods cities have employed to reduce photochemical smog.
9. How did the Clean Air Act successfully reduce SO emissions?

2
10. Do the Math: Show your work for the Your Turn problem on page 536 in the space below.
Review Q's (pg 537 ) Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
99
Notes for Module 49

Pages: Due:
538-541
MODULE 49 GUIDE
"_Stratospheric Ozone Depletion_"
None Nada Nothing Zip
1. What are the 3 types of UV radiation?
2. Which type of UV radiation is most dangerous? What are 3 health effects of this?
3. What are 2 ecological effects of the above?
4. What is the chemical reaction that causes the formation of stratospheric ozone? Write down 3 equations below.
5. What are 2 sources of CFCs? What is the most ozone-damaging element in CFCs?
6. What is the chemical reaction that causes the breakdown of stratospheric ozone? Write down 2 equations below.
7. How many ozone molecules can be destroyed by a single chlorine atom?
8. What season/months does ozone depletion in Antarctica become most pronounced?
9. What takes place chemically to cause the conditions described above in Antarctica?
10. What is the current trend of chlorine concentration in the atmosphere and what is the future prognosis?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
101
Notes for Module 50

Pages: Due:
542-545
MODULE 50 GUIDE
"Indoor Air Pollution"
Asbestos Sick Building Syndrome
1. What is the main source of indoor air pollution in developing countries?
2. Who is most affected by indoor air pollution in developing countries? What is a likely explanation for this?
3. What are 3 reasons why indoor air pollution has become a greater concern in developed countries?
4. What are sources of carbon monoxide in buildings? What is its effect on human health?
5. What are sources of asbestos? What is its effect on human health?
6. What are sources of radon? What is its effect on human health?
7. Where in a typical home would radon be found? How can it be prevented/remediated?
8. What are sources of VOC’s indoors? What is its effect on human health?
9. What are some symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?
10. According to the EPA, what are 4 causes of SBS?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
103
Notes for Module 51

Pages: 553-560 Due:
MODULE 51 GUIDE
"Only Humans Generate Waste"
Waste Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) e-waste
1. What is municipal solid waste, and why has human society produced increasing amounts of it over time?
2. What does the term “Throwaway Society” mean? Why is relevant to waste generation/management?
3. What are the main sources of waste generation in developed countries such as the United States?
4. When broken down by composition, what type of product makes up the largest fraction of MSW?
5. What types of waste can be composted? What do these products have in common that allows this?
6. What are the major challenges that E-Waste poses, and how has it been dealt with so far?
7. Why is waste reduction generally considered to be the most important & effective of the “3 R’s”?
8. Which is preferable: reuse or recycling? Explain your reasoning.
9. How does the amount of MSW recycled in the US today compare with the amount recycled in 1980?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
105
Notes for Module 52

Pages: Due:
561-567
MODULE 52 GUIDE
"The 3 R’s & Composting"
Three R’s Source Reduction Reuse Recycling

Closed-loop Recycling Open-loop Recycling Composting
1. Give an example of how the 3 R’s could be applied to waste at our school?
2. Why is source reduction generally considered to be the most important & effective of the 3 R’s?
3. Which is preferable: reuse or recycling? Explain your reasoning.
4. Give an example of open- & closed-loop recycling.
5. Which is more ideal: open- or closed-loop recycling? Explain your reasoning.
6. Using Figure 52-3, let’s approximate that in 1960 the percent of MSW recycled was 10% and in 2010 the percent of
MSW recycled was 35%. Calculate the percent change.
7. What problems have cities experienced with recycling?
8. What causes methane gas to emit from landfills?
9. What types of items should typically be used for composting?
10. Describe how composting works (you may draw a diagram).
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
107
Notes for Module 53

Pages: 568-574 Due:
MODULE 53 GUIDE
"Landfills & Incineration"
Leachate Sanitary Landfill Incineration Ash waste-to-energy system
1. Complete the following charts regarding landfills and incinerators:

Landfills
2. Draw a diagram or explain how a  What are the advantages of using  What are the disadvantages
landfill handles solid waste. landfills to handle local waste? of using landfills?
5. Why is leachate from landfills of concern?
6. What types of waste should not be handled by landfills?
INCINERATORS
7. Draw a diagram or  What are the advantages of using  What are the disadvantages of using
explain how an incinerator incinerators to handle local waste? incinerators to handle local waste?
works
10. What are bottom ash and fly ash, and why are they problematic? What needs to be done with it?
11. In addition to ash, what other problematic emissions can come from incinerators?
109
Notes for Module 54

Pages: Due:
575-578
MODULE 54 GUIDE
"Hazardous Waste"
Hazardous Waste Superfund Act Brownfields
1. What are major sources for hazardous waste production?
2. What materials constitute hazardous waste in typical households?
3. What is the main goal of RCRA and how does it attempt to accomplish this?
4. What is the Superfund Act (aka CERCLA)?
5. How are abandoned non-operating sites of hazardous pollution handled when it is not possible to identify or locate
a responsible party?
6. Summarize the Love Canal incident, including which specific chemicals were involved.
7. What has been a major criticism of CERCLA?
8. Differentiate Brownfields vs. Superfund Sites.
9. How are Brownfields typically addressed?
10. What are criticisms of the Brownfields Program?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
111
Notes for Module 55

Pages: 579 - 582 Due:
MODULE 55 GUIDE
"New Ways to Think About Solid Waste"
cradle-to-grave analysis Integrated waste management
1. Discuss components of a cradle-to-grave analysis to compare the environmental impacts of a paper and a
styrofoam cup.
2. Explain the variables related to transportation of materials that should be included in a life-cycle or crade-to-grave
analysis.
3. What is meant by Integrated Waste Management? Describe an example of it’s use.
WTS Section - Recycling E-Waste in Chile (p. 583)
1. What are some of the barriers to e-waste recycling?
2. What are some of the e-waste recycling opportunities in our school and community? (do some research)
1.
2.
3.
113
Notes for Module 56

Pages: Due:
591-600
MODULE 56 GUIDE
"Human Disease"
1. Differentiate Physical vs. Biological vs. Chemical risks. Give an example of each.
2. Differentiate Infectious vs. Noninfectious diseases.
3. What’s an example of an acute vs. chronic disease?
4. Differentiate the leading factors to chronic diseases in developed vs. developing countries.
5. What are some environmental causes for disease?
6. What is the specific cause of malaria?
7. How fast can emergent infectious diseases spread to any place on Earth?
8. In combating diseases, how do specific goals differ in developing vs. developed countries?
9. What is the major problem with antiseptic cleaners and antibacterial soaps?
10. What’s included in a rapid response plan when a particular disease appears?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
115
Notes for Module 57

Pages: Due:
601-611
MODULE 57 GUIDE
"Toxicology and Chemical Risks"
Neurotoxin Carcinogen Mutagen Teratogen
Endocrine Disruptor Dose-Response Study Acute Study Chronic Study
LD-50 ED-50 Synergistic Interaction Persistence
1. What lead to a significant decline in lead exposure in the USA? How is lead exposure still occurring today?
2. What is a common teratogen that isn’t necessarily a mutagen?
3. What are 3 examples of bodily functions that hormones regulate?
4. What specific effect is happening among male humans that may result from exposure to endocrine disruptors?
5. What is meant by the THRESHOLD of a dose-response study?
6. What are the 4 major species of animals used in LD50 studies?
7. Do the Math: Answer the question on page 607.
8. Give an example of bioaccumulation.
9. Give an example of biomagnification.
10. What is the persistence of DDT? How much would be present after 60 years?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
117
Notes for Module 58

Pages: Due:
612-617
MODULE 58 GUIDE
"Risk Analysis"
Environmental Innocent-Until-Proven Guilty Precautionary Stockholm

Hazard Principle Principle Convention
REACH
1. Differentiate risk assessment vs. risk management.
2. Differentiate qualitative vs. quantitative risk assessment.
3. How is risk mathematically calculated?
4. Why is risk acceptance the most difficult step in the risk-analysis process?
5. Besides scientific data on risk assessment, what other factors are considered under risk management?
6. What is 1 pro and 1 con of the Innocent-Until-Proven-Guilty Principle?
7. What is 1 pro and 1 con of the Precautionary Principle?
8. Which principle is used by the USA? The EU?
9. Which principle do you side with most? Why?
10. What are the “Dirty Dozen”?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
119
Notes for Module 59

Pages: Due:
631-641
MODULE 59 GUIDE
"Conservation of Biodiversity"
Threatened species Near-threatened species Least concern species Intrinsic value

Instrumental value Provisions
1. Why do scientists think we are currently in the midst of the sixth mass extinction?
2. Why is it important to have high genetic diversity in a population?
3. Do some research and find another example of a species (this time a plant or crop) that has decreased its genetic
diversity and describe the consequences.
4. What is an example of a domesticated species that has declined in genetic diversity? Why did this happen and
what are the negative consequences?
5. What has happened to the rate of species extinction over the last 50 years compared to rates from the past?
6. What are the challenges presented when evaluating the status of different plant and animal species?
7. Of the statistics you read here about the decline in various groups of plants and animals, which stat stands out as
the most surprising? Explain.
8. Describe THREE examples of an instrumental value of biodiversity (or ecosystems) that you feel are the most
important to you personally.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
121
Notes for Module 60

Pages: Due:
641-649
MODULE 60 GUIDE
"Causes of Declining Biodiversity"
Native Species Exotic Species Invasive Species Lacey Act

CITES
1. How does HABITAT LOSS threaten biodiversity?
2. What are some underlying causes of this? What are some solutions to this?
3. How do EXOTIC SPECIES threaten biodiversity?
5. How does OVERHARVESTING threaten biodiversity?
7. How does POLLUTION threaten biodiversity?
9. How does CLIMATE CHANGE threaten biodiversity?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
123
Notes for Module 61

Pages: Due:
650-658
MODULE 61 GUIDE
"The Conservation of Biodiversity"
Marine Mammal Protection Endangered Species Threatened Species Convention on Biological Diversity
Act
Edge Habitat Biosphere Reserve
1. What are 3 ways scientists may encourage a population rebound?
2. According to the Endangered Species Act, what vital thing is the government authorized to purchase?
3. Describe the controversy of the Endangered Species Act. What’s your take on this controversy?
4. What is the biggest challenge to the ESA today?
5. What were 2 trends from the Convention on Biological Diversity circa 2010?
6. Why are many species becoming extinct when you consider Figure 61.3?
7. When preserving land, what are 3 factors to consider?
8. How does the Theory of Island Biogeography relate to the preservation of land/ecosystems?
9. Describe the unique challenge of preserving smaller areas in regards to edge habitat?
10. Describe a debt-for-nature swap. Who is getting paid under this type of program?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
125
Notes for Module 62

Pages: Due:
665-673
MODULE 62 GUIDE
"Global Climate Change & Greenhouse Effect"
Global Climate Change Global Warming Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Warming Potential
1. Scientists know the Earth’s temperature has fluctuated over millions of years. How is the modern time unique with
respect to the Earth’s current change in temperature?
2. Differentiate Global Change vs. Global Climate Change vs. Global Warming.
3. What 2 forms of energy does the Sun primarily radiate or emit?
4. What form of energy does the Earth radiate or emit as a result of the Sun’s energy?
5. What captures this energy that the Earth emits?
6. What is the most common greenhouse gas?
7. Besides CO and H O, list 4 major greenhouse gases mentioned in the text. Put a * next to the one that is
2 2
specifically anthropogenic (i.e. human-made).
8. What greenhouse gases can remain in the atmosphere over 100 years?
9. List 4 natural sources of greenhouse gases. Be sure to include the specific gas for each!
10. List 4 anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gases. Be sure to include the specific gas for each!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
127
Notes for Module 63

Pages: Due:
674-685
MODULE 63 GUIDE
"Evidence for Global Warming"
Ocean Acidification
1. Who made up the IPCC and what was its mission?
2. Do the Math (page 675): Answer the two YOUR TURN questions in the space below.
3. What is the cause of seasonal CO2 change?
4. By how much has the global temperature increased since 1880? Is this a uniform distribution?
5. Describe how scientists can determine ancient global temperatures based on foraminifera.
6. What is the relationship between global temperatures and heavy oxygen?
7. What are 3 scientific explanations why the climate started warming before humans had any major global impact?
8. How do scientists know that global warming is not caused by increased amounts of solar radiation from the Sun?
9. Describe one way a rise in temperatures can create positive a feedback loop.
10. Describe a negative feedback loop resulting from global warming.
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
129
Notes for Module 64

Pages: Due:
686-694
MODULE 64 GUIDE
"Consequences of Global Climate Change"
Kyoto Protocol Carbon Sequestration
1. How has global climate change affected polar ice in the Arctic? The Antarctic?
2. How are humans being impacted by melting glaciers?
3. Describe three effects of the melting permafrost?
4. What are 2 causes of sea level rise?
5. Besides flooding, what other impacts can rising sea levels have?
6. What specifically is hampering the ability for species to migrate toward both poles in response to global climate
change?
7. What kind of ocean currents in particular would be affected by global climate change? What could happen as a
result?
8. What are 2 specific ways global climate change could affect humans?
9. Describe 2 methods of carbon sequestration.
10. According to the text, what are 3 benefits of increasing fuel efficiency standards in vehicles?
1. Meaning?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
131
Notes for Module 65

"Sustainability and Economics"
Key Terms:
Well-being Economics Externality GDP
Genuine Progress Indicator Technology transfer Leapfrogging Natural capital
Human capital Market failure Ecological Economics Valuation
1. Opening Story - Why would environmental scientists be interested in the social and political impacts of maquiladoras,
as well as environmental ones?
2. Opening Story - What does the expansion of maquiladoras illustrate about the interaction between economic, political,
and environmental forces when considering problems in environmental science?
3. In a market economy, how do supply and demand distribute scarce resources to best satisfy infinite wants?
4. How would the price of goods and services change if the costs of externalities were included in their prices?
5. Is GDP alone an adequate measurement of a population's well-being? What other factors must be considered?
6. According to the Kuznets Curve, how does the environmental impact of a country change as it develops?
7. Why is the process of valuation important in measuring and monitoring natural capital and ecosystem services?
8. What characteristics must a sustainable economic system have, and how does ours compare? (figures 65.6 & 65.7)
9. Free markets have enabled incredible economic growth for much of the world over the past few centuries. However,
there are many critiques saying that they do not actually produce the best outcomes for everyone. Explain these
critiques and evaluate the extent to which you agree with them.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
133
Notes for Module 66

"Regulations and Equity"
Key Terms:
Environmental worldview Anthropocentric worldview Stewardship Ecocentric worldview
Precautionary principle United Nations World Bank WHO
NGO EPA Command&control regulation Incentive-based regulation
Triple bottom line UN Millennium Dev Goals Greenbelt movement Environmental equity
1. How do the 3 worldviews and precautionary principle influence our evaluation & response to environmental issues?
2. What role do the wide range of world agencies, NGOs, and US agencies play in helping countries develop sustainably?
3. What types of factors are most important to examine if we want to measure human status in a country? (ie HDI & HPI)
4. Why are BOTH command-and-control and incentive-based types of regulation necessary to encourage sustainability?
5. Propose an idea for a new green tax that would reduce an environmentally harmful activity by increasing its price.
6. When examining a situation through the triple bottom line, how will our conclusions differ from traditional analysis?
7. Suppose you wanted to investigate the sustainability of agriculture in California using the triple bottom line. What
types of questions would you ask in each domain? What data could you collect to answer those questions?
8. Why are issues of global poverty, inequality, and environmental justice important to our quest for sustainability?
9. What do you think are the main keys to sustainably developing a poor nation looking to meet the triple bottom line?
10. Science Applied - What is your assessment of the potential for cap-and-trade as a mechanism to control CO2 emissions?
Review Q's (pg 720-721 Module Summary (your own words - What's important? Connections? Meaning?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
135
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Textbook: Friedland and Relyea Environmental Science for AP®,

2. Opening Story - What are the advantages and disadvantages to fracking?

Question to bring to class:

1. Could humanity survive without Earth's ecosystem services? Explain.

Question to bring to class:

3. Why is dissemination of findings & peer review of research so important in science?

5. What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

9. What factors make research in environmental science particularly difficult?

Question to bring to class:

2. What is the difference between an atom, a molecule, a compound, and an isotope?

Question to bring to class:

6. How can the efficiency of an energy transformation be calculated?

Question to bring to class:

16 Question to bring to class:

2. How does the water cycle help facilitate other cycles?

18 Question to bring to class:

1. What types of disturbances can pose a large threat to humanity?

2. Are all disturbances bad in an ecosystem? Explain.

20 Question to bring to class:

6. What notable functions occur in the thermosphere and exosphere?

8. How does the albedo of Earth's surface affect its temperature?

22 Question to bring to class:

1. Explain why warm air rises and cool air sinks.

2. Why is warm, rising air associated with precipitation?

8. Is there any location on Earth that experiences no coriolis effect? Explain.

24 Question to bring to class:

1. Explain how oceanic currents distribute heat around the world.

3. What role do winds play in shaping oceanic currents?

5. Upwelling is a process in which __________________________________________________________. It is caused by

__________________________________ and is important to humans because ________________________________

10. What effects does ENSO have on humans?

26 Question to bring to class:

28 Question to bring to class:

1. Which types of species tend to dominate river ecosystems?

3. Where are the majority of producers in a lake located?

6. What characteristic defines a wetlands?

8. What is the difference between a "marine" biome and a "freshwater" biome?

30 Question to bring to class:

5. Why is it important to measure "baseline" species richness and eveness in an ecosystem?

7. How do scientists determine the positions of species on a phylogenetic tree?

9. In Figure 14.3, what key features do chipmunks and trout share?

32 Question to bring to class:

2. Explain how genetic diversity (the 'raw material') of evolution is created.

3. Are mutations harmful or helpful for a species? Explain.

34 Question to bring to class:

3. What factors influence the rate of evolutionary change in a species?

6. How are GMOs created?

36 Question to bring to class:

3. Why don’t species always use their full fundamental niche?

38 Question to bring to class:

9. What are typical limiting resources for plants? For animals?

40 Question to bring to class:

7. How do r- and k-selection influence survivorship curves?

8. What is a metapopulation, and why is it important to study them?

42 Question to bring to class:

4. What types of strategies have prey animals evolved to resist predation?

6. How could an ecologist identify a keystone species in any given ecosystem?

44 Question to bring to class:

4. Why do mid-successional species eventually get displaced by late-succession species?

5. True/false: the number of species present always increases as succession proceeds.

6. How does secondary succession differ from primary succession?

10. Describe how lakes become filled in during aquatic succession.

46 Question to bring to class:

__ and is important to humans because