Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
• 1 point: Each tree lost means a new tree needs to be planted. The costs associated with this replace-
ment include purchasing the new tree and paying for labor to remove the old tree and plant a new
one.
• 1 point: Cost of fungicides.
• 1 point: Labor costs associated with the application of fungicides and the maintenance of the trees to
control and minimize damage from the blight.
C. Explain one alternative to fungicide that may help the orchardist manage the spread of fire blight (1
point maximum):
• 1 point: An orchardist can try to control the insects that contribute to the spread of the blight.
• 1 point: The orchardist can alternate between types of fungicide to reduce the likelihood of bacteria
developing resistance to any one fungicide.
• 1 point: The affected limbs and trees can be removed.
• 1 point: The orchard can be divided into smaller sections, separated by vegetation that is not im-
pacted by fire blight. This will reduce the possibility of the transfer of the bacteria and will help to
contain a breakout when one does occur.
D. Describe an example of how the development of bacterial resistance can affect human health (2
points maximum):
• 2 points: With continued use of antibiotics or other medications to control or destroy pathogens that
carry disease—including viruses, bacteria, and fungi—resistance to that product can develop over
time. The result is the development of a superbug that is exceptionally hardy and unaffected by cur-
rent medications.
4.
This question is worth a maximum of 10 points, as follows:
A. Discuss which type of succession would follow this disturbance (2 points maximum):
• 1 point: Primary succession.
• 1 point: Following a major disturbance in which all life is removed from an area, a community be-
gins again and life redevelops.
B. Explain the role of a pioneer species in succession. What is an example of a pioneer species? Why
are some organisms successful as pioneer species? (3 points maximum)
• 1 point: A pioneer species is the first species to colonize an area after complete destruction of life in
an ecosystem.
• 1 point: Examples include lichen, moss, grasses, and algae.
• 1 point: The seeds and spores of some organisms are carried easily through air and water. These spe-
cies tend to be pioneer species because they can easily be transported into a desolate area and estab-
lish themselves, growing in an extreme environment, devoid of life.
C. Discuss a climax community (2 points maximum):
• 1 point: The climax community is the stable community resulting from succession.
• 1 point: This community remains relatively unaltered for an extended period of time, until another
disturbance occurs.
• 1 point: An ecosystem may never reach a climax community if it is continually disturbed or altered
dramatically by human interference.
D. Explain the concept of resilience (1 point maximum):
