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Laboratory
30 points
Name: __________________
Due Date: 15 or 17 April. E-mail your answers Lab: M
W 1 2
Answers will be posted on the web after class to help you
review for the exam.
Late assignments will be docked 5 points for each day late.
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The week’s laboratory will take you a tour of Internet biodiversity sites and some of the ongoing projects establishing links between the biosphere and global climate change. Below, I’ve listed the websites that you will be exploring. I’ve developed questions to which you will be able to find answers for on these sites. You may copy and paste for questions marked with * from the site. #1-9 (2.5 points each) #10 (7.5 points)
1. http://www.icsu.org/DIVERSITAS/
What
are the three thematic core scientific projects?*
When
will the International Biodiversity Observation Year occur?*
2. http://www.wri.org/biodiv/biodiv.html
What are the four hierarchal categories of biodiversity?
What
is the range of scientific estimates of the number of species on planet earth?
What is the best estimate?
Together,
biodiversity and ecological processes (the interactions
among species and between species and their environment) define Earth's living
mantle--the biosphere. For individuals and
populations, what interactions are included in ecological processes?
What three steps does NASA propose to answer the two following research questions of interest:
1) How does a change to the ocean's phytoplankton (caused naturally or
artificially) affect global climate?
2) How does such a change affect the ocean's
food supply?
4. http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEAWIFS.html
The
SeaWIFS saltellite was launched after several years of delays, mostly due to
government funding problems. This satellite is one of the prime global change
observing platforms currently in orbit.
Go to
Browse Utlility to see a map of primary productivity. Where is productivity
highest? Where is it lowest? Why?
Go to
the Teacher’s Guide section. Go to…Why study the oceans from space?
So why study the oceans from space?
the other hand are wonderful for looking at very large areas of the world in a very short time. Satellites on the other hand are wonderful for looking 5. http://www.wf.carleton.ca/Museum/lobby.html
Just
take a tour; there are a number of interesting sites there.
What
did you learn from this site? Which room (topic) did you like best?
6. http://www.si.edu/crc/brochure/index.htm
What is the mission of the CRC?
http://www.si.edu/crc/rp/rp_nature/rp_eco/rp_eco.htm
Summarize one of the current ecology or endangered species projects that you find interesting. very short
7. http://marine.rutgers.edu/OBIS/
What does OBIS stand for and what does it mean?*
What basic questions about the ocean have never been
answered?*
Is the tonguefish species arawak typically found in the
North Atlantic or near Florida?
What are the four objectives of the census of fishes?*
Do you think OBIS will help improve the management of
fisheries? Why or why not?
What is the Global Biodiversity Information
Facility?*
What purpose does it serve?*
List 3 organizations/biodiversity
initiatives that are collaborating with GBIF.*
9. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/science/projects/worldmap/
What specific regions of the world have the high
biodiversity values, according to the map?
How are values, goals, and priorities defined in regard to
conservation?*
10. http://www.cdfe.org/wiseuse.htm
This article contrasts two competing viewpoints: environmentalists versus wise-use free capitalists. Often it is helpful to examine multiple perspectives on an issue when defining your own beliefs and opinions. Most of the previous sites have been based on the belief that biodiversity is important and that conservation is valuable and necessary. Its important think critically and to consider the author’s or organization’s perspective and values when you read a book, magazine article, or website. The following questions will not be graded based on what your views are. Your grade for this section will be based on 1) that you provide some sort of answer in complete sentences for each question and 2) how well you articulate your view.
What is the difference between a scientist and
environmentalist?
The authors suggest that environmentalists want to limit
science and technology. Do you agree?
Is an ecologist, a scientist who examines an endangered
species' distribution in regard to environmental variables, necessarily an
environmentalist?
Can a person be both a scientist and environmentalist?
Ideally, scientists and the science they produce are
objective and impartial (politically at least). Can politics interfere with the
quality of science?
Do you think science (such as knowledge concerning
biodiversity) should play a role in public policy and government regulations? Who
should decide what kind of science is supported and produced?
“Environmentalism by its very nature promotes feelings of guilt for existing, which naturally degenerate into pessimism, self-loathing and depression.” – from the website.
Do you agree with this statement? What is your perspective?
How do you see the relationship between people and nature?
The government is a major financial supporter to scientific research. What is your opinion about global change research? Should the government support it even though we may never be able to predict climate accurately in the future? Has studying earth systems science systems been valuable to you?
Any other comments about this article or related issues?