Study Guide -- ENV 2100Exam #4 -- Chapters 11 (in part), 13, 15, 18To be Given Friday, 3 December 2010Chapter 11: Biodiversity Conservation (Part 2)- Is biodiversity valuable? How so? What is “biophilia?”- What are the three major goals of conservation biology, and what are some solutions to stemming the tide of biodiversity loss?Ch13: Urbanization and Creating Livable Cities- What is meant by urbanization, and what propelled this trend, beginning with the advent ofagriculture? Remember that urbanization is the greatest change in society since the advent of agriculture. Most Americans are urbanites and, as of 2007, most of the world’s population lived in urbanized areas. Where do most Americans live, in large urban centers or in the suburbs? What two regions of the U.S. are growing the most rapidly? Why is it that the fastest growing cities are in developed nations? - In terms of geography, climate, and proximity to waterways, where will you find many of thelargest urban areas? Why are many population centers decentralizing today?- What is urban sprawl, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of population development? In addition to human population growth, what is the second maincomponent of urban sprawl?- Be familiar with these terms: city planning, regional planning, zoning, smart growth, and the new urbanism. What are the advantages and disadvantages of urban growth boundaries? Be familiar with mass transportation options and ways to encourage their implementation. What are the societal advantages of parks and green spaces?Ch15: Freshwater Resources: Natural Systems, Human Impact, & Conservation- Drinkable water is rare; what proportion of the world’s water is fresh water? What are the largest two reservoirs (pools) of freshwater on Earth? Most of the world’s water is salt water. What is the largest reservoir for water, period?- Be familiar with these terms:rivers & streams wetlands groundwatertributary freshwater marshes aquiferslakes & ponds swamps water tableCarolina bays - What human activities are the three largest users (and which is #1) of fresh water in the U.S.? Globally, what human activity uses the greatest amount of fresh water?- What are the economic/societal benefits of dams, and what are the ecological disadvantages? Why have 500 dams been dismantled in the U.S.? What is the world's largest dam? Much of the world's irrigation is inefficient, and groundwater --- a necessity for one-third of the world's population --- is easily depleted. In what ways can our society lower agricultural, residential, and industrial demand for fresh water?1- Define pollution. Be familiar with these forms of water pollution. For each form, be familiar with its sources and solutions: nutrient pollution, pathogens and waterborne diseases, toxic chemicals, sediment, thermal pollution. What is the #1 source of water pollution in North Carolina? - What is meant by point source pollution and nonpoint source (runoff) pollution? Whatis the #1 source of nonpoint pollution in North Carolina's waterways? The U.S. Clean Water Act (1977) initially targeted point sources, but now targets nonpoint sources. Which federal agency is responsible for setting standards for the safety of the nation's drinking water? In addition to chemical treatment, how is drinking water processed to make it safe for our consumption?- Be familiar with the term wastewater. Ch18: Global Climate Change - What report is the most definitive and authoritative concerning global climate change? The scientific consensus is that humans are the underlying cause for global warming. Scientistsprefer to refer to the suite of changes underway as “global climate change,” because not only is the planet warming but many other changes, such as increased incidence and intensity of severe weather events, are also taking place.- Which greenhouse gas is most responsible for causing global warming? What three human activities are most responsible for the emissions of greenhouse gases? How do greenhouse gases warm the planet? You should know that snowfall traps bubbles of atmosphere and that gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen gas) trapped in frozen bubbles in ice cores can be used to determine atmospheric temperatures in the distant past. Earth's atmospheric temperatures and CO2 concentrations closely parallel each other. Do aerosolstypically cause the lower atmosphere to get warmer or to get cooler?- Hurricanes may be getting stronger because of global warming. Specifically where do hurricanes derive their strength? Global warming causes both greater flooding and drought events. - Many species are being affected by global climate change. Invasive exotic species are spreading farther up in elevation, coral reefs are bleaching, and some species have gone extinct. In what other ways might the world’s ecosystems and native fauna and flora be affected by climate change? How have people already been affected, and how will people in the future be affected by global warming?- Which nation, as of 2007, produces the greatest amount of greenhouse gases? The energy supply sector (including generating electricity) and the transportation sector are the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. What three activities globally contribute most to emissions?- How can people mitigate and adapt to climate change?