Environmental problems have a cultural and social context. Understand the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions. Human survival depends on developing practices that will result in sustainable systems. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required. Management of common resources is essential. Topic Outline I. Earth Systems and Resources (10 – 15%) A. Earth Science Concepts geological time scale plate tectonics earthquakes volcanism seasons solar intensity latitude B. The Atmosphere composition structure weather and climate atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis Effect atmosphere-ocean interactions ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) C. Global Water Resources and Use freshwater/saltwater ocean circulation agricultural, industrial and domestic use surface and groundwater issues global problems conservation D. Soil and Soil Dynamics rock cycle formation composition physical and chemical properties main soil erosion and other soil problems soil conservation II. The Living World (10 – 15%) A. Ecosystem Structure biological populations and communities ecological niches interactions species keystone species species diversity and edge effects major terrestrial and aquatic biomes B. Energy Flow photosynthesis and cellular respiration food webs and trophic levels ecological pyramids C. Ecosystem Diversity biodiversity natural selection ecosystem services D. Natural Ecosystem Changes climate shifts species movement
ecological succession E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles carbon nitrogen phosphorus sulfur water conservation of matter III. Population (10 – 15%) A. Population Biology Concepts population ecology carrying capacity reproductive strategies survivorship B. Human Populations human population dynamics historical population sizes distribution fertility growth rates and doubling times demographic transition age-structure diagrams population size strategies for sustainability case studies national policies impacts of population growth hunger disease economic effects resource use habitat destruction and water Use (10 – 15%) A. Agriculture Feeding a growing population nutritional needs types of agriculture Green Revolution genetic engineering and crop production deforestization irrigation sustainable agriculture Controlling pest Types of pesticides cost and benefits of pesticides use integrated pest management (IPM) relevant laws B. Forestry Tree plantations old growth forests forest fires forest management national forest C. rangelands overgrazing deforestation desertification rangeland management federal rangelands D. Other Land Use Urban land development
Planned development Suburban sprawl Urbanization Transportation infrastructure Federal highway system Canals and channels Roadless areas Ecosystem impacts. Public and federal lands Management Wilderness National parks Wildlife refuges Forests Wetlands Land conservation options. Preservation Remediation Mitigation Restoration Sustainable land-use strategies. E. Mining Mineral formations Extraction Global reserves Relevant laws and treaties. F. Fishing Fishing techniques Overfishing Aquaculture Relevant laws and treaties. G. Global Economics Globalization bank Tragedy of the Commons Relevant laws and treaties. V. Energy Resources and Consumption (10 – 15%) A. Energy Concepts Energy forms Power Units Conversions Laws of Thermodynamics B. Energy Consumption History Industrial Revolution Exponential growth Energy crisis Present global energy use Future energy needs C. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas Extraction/purification methods World reserves and global demand Synfuels Environmental advantages/disadvantages of sources D. Nuclear Energy Nuclear fission processes Nuclear fuel
Electricity production Nuclear reactor types Environmental advantages/disadvantages Safety issues Radiation and human health Radioactive wastes Nuclear fusion E. Hydroelectric Dams Flood control Salmon Silting Other impacts F. Energy Conservation Energy efficiency CAFÉ standards Hybrid electric vehicles Mass transit G. Renewable Energy energy Solar electricity Hydrogen fuel Biomass Wind energy Small-scale hydroelectric waves and tidal energy Geothermal Environmental advantages/disadvantages VI. Pollution (25 – 30%) A. Pollution Air pollution Sources – primary and secondary Major air pollutants Measurement Smog Acid deposition – causes and effects Heat islands and temperature inversions Indoor air pollution Remediation and reduction strategies Clean Air Act and other relevant laws Noise pollution Sources Effects Control measures Water pollution Sources, causes, and effects Cultural eutrophication Groundwater pollution Maintaining quality Water purification Sewage treatment/septic systems Clean Water Act and other relevant laws Solid Waste Types Disposal Reduction B. Impacts on the Environment and Health Hazards to human health Environmental risk analysis Acute and chronic effects Dose-response relationships Air pollutants Smoking and other risk Hazardous chemicals in the environment