Problems

Web Page Questions:

Answer the following questions using the web pages listed in the chapter .

Human activities are responsible for __________________________________ of the greenhouse gases, namely ____________________________________. Sources of nitrous oxide are a byproduct of ___________________________________________________________________________________.
Methane has man made sources, but natural sources include_____________________________________________________.

What is GEMS and what is the goal of this program? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Problems:

1. The Hydrologic Cycle circulates water through the biosphere. Although the total supply of water within the earth's realm is constant, the amount of usable water at any location varies. Human populations significantly affect the quality of water and the speed of recirculation. The four major stages in the cycle are indicated on the following diagram. At each of these points human activity produces changes in both the quantity and quality of usable water. From Figure 5.4 and the discussion in Chapter 5, identify the human activities and associated modifications which affect the Hydrologic Cycle at each major stage. Place your answers in the spaces provided at each stage.

1. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Various human impacts on the natural environment are more acute or pronounced at some locations on the earth's surface than at others. The following outline map of the continents contains the letters A through I at selected locations. Each location is subject to a particular environmental impact associated with human occupance which are given in the list below. In the space provided, indicate the letter that is represented by that phenomenon. You will notice that some impacts are found at more than one place. (Note: All answers can be found in Chapter 5).
• Acid Rain _____
• Animal and Plant Extinction _____
• Channelization _____
• Deforestation _____
• Desertification _____
• Ground Subsidence _____
• Photochemical Smog (Ozone Pollution) _____
• Salinization _____
• Sewage and Industrial Dumping _____
2. Why are areas like northern Canada, Siberia, and Australia less affected by human impact?
3. Are any areas of the world really immune to human impact?
4. Why or why not?

__________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Read the box on the Aral Sea in this chapter. Should conditions be reversed and ample amounts of clean water be allowed to flow into it once again, would it revert to its condition of 100 years ago? Why or why not?
2. The Everglades of Florida face a similar though not as toxic fate as the Aral Sea. What has Congress proposed to do to protect this unique environment? What problems will this plan encounter? Is it worth the effort and money?
3. Your client wants to build a billion dollar resort on one of the barrier islands off the coast of Virginia and wants a guarantee in writing that the island selected will not change significantly in the next 75 years. Using your knowledge of global processes and coastal environments, explain to your client why you cannot guarantee the island's stability over time. Give at least five reasons.
4. It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. How have humans coped with hazardous natural conditions over time?
5. Even with improvements in the forecasting of severe storms, volcanic eruptions, flooding, and the other natural hazards, there has been an increase worldwide in emergency declarations, disaster proclamations and last-minute mandatory evacuations. With populations increasing in size in coastal areas, river valleys, and mountain areas, should governments be reactive - that is, respond to natural hazards after they have occurred, or proactive, that is, to systematically move people out of harm's way by encouraging relocation in non-emergency situations? Support your argument as if you had to appear before a Congressional or United Nations hearing.