Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Another strong example of an ecosystem approach to habitat and species restoration was in Yellowstone Na-
tional Park, where a rampant elk population was over-grazing aspen trees, leading to overall ecosystem degrad-
ation. With the reintroduction of gray wolves to the park, the elk was soon culled to a population size the eco-
system could sustainably support.
Other ideas to slow habitat destruction include expanding current wildlife refuges and sanctuaries and adding
new ones, expanding federal public lands to preserve and protect habitats of endangered species, managing ex-
isting habitats and monitoring their use for changes, expanding breeding programs for additional plant and an-
imal species, and passing new laws and international treaties to protect threatened and endangered species and
protect their habitats.
However, many of these initiatives cost money either directly or through the decreased ability to make money.
The economic challenges, combined with a general lack of knowledge about the benefits of habitats and biod-
iversity and the ways they can be protected or saved, makes conservation challenging. Much of the money
needed to save species such as the California Condor, Santa Cruz Kit Fox, and the Giant Panda comes from
governments, private donations, grants, and zoos. For example, it has cost an average of $5 million per year to
help the condors recover from 22 birds in 1987, when all the condors were in captivity, to over 350 birds today,
with approximately 150 in the wild.
Practice
1.
What type of radiation is involved in the formation of ozone?
A.
Visible radiation
B.
UVA
C.
UVB
D.
UVC
E.
Infrared radiation
2.
Which of the following human conditions can be caused by UVB radiation?
I. Blistering of the skin with severe sunburns
II. Skin cancer
III. Cataracts
A.
I only
B.
II only
C.
III only
D.
I and III
E.
I, II, and III
3.
Which of the following gases is involved in the destruction of the ozone layer?
A.
NO
B.
CFCs
C.
CO
2
D.
CH
4
E.
H
2
O