Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
B. Cite and explain two human activities that have led to habitat fragmentation. (2 points maximum)
• 1 point: Development of roads, highways, canals, and irrigation ditches through ecosystems.
• 1 point: Alteration of the path of a river.
• 1 point: Development of buildings and communities.
• 1 point: Creation of parks and other man-made ecosystems.
• 1 point: Land converted for agricultural purposes.
• 1 point: Deforestation.
• 1 point: Timber harvesting.
C. Explain how the fragmentation of habitats can lead to the loss of biodiversity. (3 points maximum)
• 1 point: Reduction of population immigration and emigration reduces gene flow.
• 1 point: A decrease in the number of available mates reduces reproduction rates of a species, ulti-
mately decreasing the numbers of a population.
• 1 point: Species may be cut off from needed resources in other parts of the historic habitat.
• 1 point: There is a decrease in the range for animals that require a large range.
• 1 point: Barriers to migration are created for migratory species.
• 1 point: There is an increase in disease and parasites at the edges of the habitats.
D. Discuss two solutions to reduce habitat fragmentation as our global human population continues to
grow. (2 points maximum)
• 1 point: Conversion of unused agricultural land back to natural habitat.
• 1 point: Protection of large pieces of land through minimal-use guidelines.
• 1 point: Protection of large pieces of land through establishment of parks and reserves.
• 1 point: Use of land trusts to protect pieces of land in their natural state.
• 1 point: Creation of biosphere reserves, incorporating areas of complete biodiversity preservation
with sustainable and limited land use.
• 1 point: The use of corridors for migrating species.
E. Explain what is meant by the reference to the "canary in a coal mine." Relate this to rattlesnakes and
habitat fragmentation. (1 point maximum)
• 1 point: Historically, mine workers carried canaries with them into subsurface coalmines. If the ca-
nary died, it meant there was a problem with air quality, signaling the workers to leave the mine. In
examining the genetic diversity of rattlesnakes due to habitat fragmentation, if their diversity is be-
ing reduced, then it is likely that the genetic diversity of other organisms may be reduced due to the
fragmentation as well.
2.
This question is worth a maximum of 10 points, as follows:
A. Calculations
i. How much heat in BTUs is needed to produce the power each day? (2 points maximum—1 point for
setting up the problem, 1 point for arriving at the correct answer)
Set up the problem:
