BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 1 Discussion
DQ1 Research a local environmental law. Provide the following details about the law:
What is it designed to protect, when was it implemented, and what some consequences for violating it are?
In what ways is it effective?
In what ways is it not?
How can it be more effective?
DQ2 How has society’s view of the environment changed over time? What does the Christian Worldview say about protecting the environment? Use specific Bible verses to support your answer.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 2 Discussion
DQ1 What is the difference between R and K selective? Provide an example of a K specialist species and an R specialist species (find examples outside the textbook). What kind of environment would favor each and why?
DQ2 According to our textbook, a biotic factor is a living element found within an ecosystem, while an abiotic factor is a nonliving element found within an ecosystem. Choose a biome and ecosystem and provide an example of a biotic and abiotic factor found within your biome/ecosystem. Explain the importance of these factors to your specific biome/ecosystem.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 3 Discussion
DQ1 The growth rate equation is (birth rate + immigration)-(death rate + emigration). Provide at least two factors that affect the population size based off the equation above, and explain how these factors impact the size of the population.
DQ2 Identify any unusual environmental problems (for example: heavy metals due to mining, water pollution due to farming or industry) in your neighborhood and research possible health effects of potential environmental hazards in the area. Who is at risk, what is the environmental hazard, where does this hazard come from and what health problems caused by the pollutant? Before you get started, review the terminology.
Terms:
Environmental Hazard: Something (chemical, physical or microbiological) with the potential to cause harm; however, it does not always put you at risk.
Risk: The combination of the probability or frequency, of occurrence of the identified hazard and the magnitude of the consequences of the occurrence.Risk assessment: Risk assessment is the process of estimating the potential impact of a chemical, physical, or microbiological hazard on a specified human population or ecological system under a specific set of conditions and for a certain time frame.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 4 Discussion
DQ1 Farmers use fertilizers to improve crop growth which can impact the environment though agricultural runoff. What is agricultural runoff? Provide two examples of how farmers can prevent it.
DQ2 Superweeds are plants having a high resistance to different herbicides. How do superweeds grow? Do GMOs influence the growth of superweeds? Why or why not?
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 5 Discussion
DQ1 Describe a natural protected area where you live (city or state).
Where is this park and what makes people want to visit it?
Have you been there or do you plan to in the future?
What are some efforts made to protect the area (natural features, animals, plants, etc.)?
What are some concerns to protecting the area?
DQ2 Plant communities change over time.
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
Provide an example of a place that is or has undergone primary succession.
Provide an example of a place that is in or has undergone secondary succession.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 6 Discussion
DQ1 Select a national monument. How has it been affected by weathering? Be sure to specify the type of weathering it is exposed to.
DQ2 Select a type of renewable energy. Compare it to fossil fuels by explaining two pros and two cons for its implementation on a large scale. Maintain an environmental focus (do not just give economic reasons).
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 7 Discussion
DQ1 Provide one example for point source pollution and one example for non-point source pollution. Identify one type of water pollutant and describe the effects this pollutant has on the environment.
DQ2 Provide an example of water use and describe some examples of domestic water conservation. Define the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act (make sure to include in-text citations and references).
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 1 Assignment
Online Scavenger Hunt for Success
Complete the "Online Scavenger Hunt for Success Resource."
APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
Name:
Date:
Instructor:
Online Scavenger Hunt for Success
The Basics
1. From the first section in the book what are 5 environmental concerns you will learn about in this class? Question worth 5 points.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2. Every field is impacted by the environment, be it being the source or a product, source of a service, a concern to meet an environmental regulation…. How do you feel learning about the environment will impact your future career?
3. Everything is made from chemicals. In blogs or news articles, you might hear about chemicals being a concern, but this is too vague. For example you can say water is a problem because it is a chemical, but this is still not saying why. Find an example of a chemical you want to learn about. Question worth 5 points
a. What is this chemical made from?
b. How can it be helpful?
c. What it is likely to pollute (air, water, or land)?
d. How can the problem be lessened?
e. Provide a full reference for your authoritative source you used to answer this question
4. Ozone is a complex chemical. In the1980’s a big concern was the hole in the ozone. What is the current status of the ozone hole? Now, you might hear more about ozone warning while driving. What causes this and why is it is problem? What references did you use to answer this question?
Completing Research
In science a research paper needs to have authoritative sources and all facts need to be cited. This does not mean you want to have lots of quotes, but instead paraphrase your material and cite the source
Many times if it tempting to use popular media as a source. However, this means it could be biased.
Go to: https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/
1. Find one source that could be considered Left biased and explain why
2. Find one source that could be considered right biased and explain why
3. Find a source that is considered conspiracy-pseudoscience and explain why with an example of pseudoscience
4. Find a pro-science source that might be ok for a research paper to get more current information then a peer reviewed source.
Using the library, find 3 separate articles to help you write about 3 of the following topics below (remember to choose 3 topics, not just 1).Please pick 3 topics from this list: endangered species, environmental toxin, farming, sustainable building materials, or water pollution to answering the following questions:
1. Why would you use this article?
2. Create a full reference for this source
3. Paraphrase a fact from this source and insert an in-text citation
4. Find a quote Create an intext citation
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 2 Assignment
Biome and Ecosystem Essay
Assessment Traits
Assessment Description
Pick a biome and ecosystem and create a 500-700 word essay addressing the following:
Refer to the infographic provided and chose a biome to describe with an example ecosystem.
Provide one example of a keystone species found in the biome/ecosystem. Why is this keystone species important to the biome/ecosystem? What defines it as a keystone species?
Provide an example of an invasive species found in the biome/ecosystem. What are some of the negative impacts this invasive species has on the ecosystem? What is being done to mitigate impacts?
Provide one example of an endangered species found in the biome/ecosystem. Briefly discuss the causes of the decline in the species and what is being done to help.
Please include at least 3 academic sources and make sure all sources are cited in your essay.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 3 Assignment
Human Population and Toxins
Assessment Description
Complete the "Human Population and Toxins Resource."
APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
Human Population and Toxins Resource
There are different perspectives on human population growth and the dynamics associated with population change. Go to CIA World Fact book website using the link in the topic Resourcesand choose one developedcountry (not the United States) and one developing country and compare the following and answer the questions:
Developed country
(Developed country is a country which has an effective rate of industrialization and individual income) Developing country
(Developing country is a country which has slow rate of industrialization and low per capita income)
Population growth rate
Birth rate
Death rate
Net migration rate
Each question should be answered in a minimum of 200 words.
1. Why do you think the population is increasing or decreasing for that country? Try to explain at least two reasons as to why this is happening? (Please refer to your textbook)
2. How do diseases affect the population? Can you think about any diseases that has affected the human population? (Please use peer reviewed sources to support your answer).
3. Looking at the countries you compared, what are the toxins present in the environment that impact human health? Provide one example for each country.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 4 Assignment
Assessment Description
Complete the assignment “Man vs Nature” as directed by your instructor.
APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite
Man vs. Nature
This week we are discussing Genetically Modified Foods and just like any product available there are pros and cons. This will be a hands-on assignment that will require you visit a grocery store to compare and contrast Genetically Modifiedand Organic produce.Be sure to select the same type of fruit or vegetable to compare and contrast.You are not required to buy the product!
Note: You may ask a store employee for help to identify which produce is organic and which is a GM (conventional).
Student name:
What fruit or vegetable are you comparing?
Genetically Modified Organic
Price
Availability (quantity)
Characteristics:
• Color
• Size
• Smell
• Weight
Where was it grown/imported from(country, state, etc.)?
Where were observations made (farmers market, Walmart, etc.)?
Short Answer Questions (Minimum of 250 words each)
1. What are the some of the arguments for labeling GM foods? What are some of the arguments against it? What side do you feel is more valid, why? Provide at least one source per argument (one for and one against) to support your claims.
2. What are some ethical concerns or benefits of using GMOs based on the Christian Worldview?(Refer to “Here’s What Religious Experts Have to Say About Faith and GMOs” for help answering this question.)
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 5 Assignment
Restoration Pamphlet
Assessment Description
Select a scenario from the list below:
There is a species of fish (with low numbers) that is having trouble traveling up and down the river because of a dam.
Chose an area that is economically depressed but has a lot of species diversity, you need to protect the species while providing jobs for locals.
An animal is being poached for its horn which is believed in some cultures to cure many diseases, it is not critically endangered.
The demand for farming is increasing, which is destroying native forests and affecting their biodiversity.
An animal is starting to become isolated because it is afraid to cross roads created by deforestation.
Local birds typically migrate over the winter, but people are feeding them and thermal pollution at a local stream is keeping the water warmer the birds are not migrating, resulting in water pollution.
A drought has been going on for a period of time; the water needed for homes, businesses, and farms has decreased lake and river levels impacting the amount available for local flora and fauna.
Species are being found dead on local beaches due to plastic.
Use the textbook and/or info-graphic under Class Resources to find the best resource management practice to implement.
Create a pamphlet addressing the following:
What is the issue and why it would work
Describe the restoration method you selected and why it would be best (with at least 2 examples of how it has worked in similar situations from peer reviewed sources)
Time frame to complete the plan (include short and long term objectives)
What is the end goal of the restoration project
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 6 Assignment
CLC – Product Lifecycle
Assessment Description
This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.
Chose a processed product (e.g., computer, Styrofoam product, plastic product, diapers, or vehicle tires) and create a 15-slide PowerPoint to answer the following questions:
History: what is the product, where has it been used, who used it first?
How is it made?: include items needed for production and steps in the process
What impact does making the product have on the environment? Hint look at: pollution of air, water, habitat loss…
What is being done to making the product sustainable? (Hint: Is there a company with a sustainability plan? Look for efforts on reusing, recycling, plans to replant if product components are renewable, etc.)
What is the future outlook of the product?
Create a campaign slide to encourage sustainable use of the product
Note: Each student is to include their name in the notes section of the slides that they worked on.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 6 Assignment
Sustainable Home Creation
Complete the “Sustainable Home Creation” resource as directed by your instructor.
APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
Sustainable Home Creation
Name:
This worksheet is to show how you will create a more sustainable home. The key is to defend your choices with facts and citing your sources, you do not need to choose a single family home. Cite sources!
Current Future Improvements
Described your indoor living space (i.e., square feet)
Describe the location of your home and why it would be the best for you. Make sure to address: climate, geography, rural/urban/or suburban.
Current Future Improvements
Described your indoor living space (i.e., square feet)
Describe the location of your home and why it would be the best for you. Make sure to address: climate, geography, rural/urban/or suburban.
3 materials in your home and how they can be more sustainable.
1)
2)
3)
1)
2)
3)
Energy use What are 3 things that use the most energy in your home?
1)
2)
3) How can you decrease your energy consumption?
1)
2)
3)
Water use What are 3 things that use the most water in your home?
1)
2)
3) How can you decrease your water consumption?
1)
2)
3)
References use (you should have at least 3)
Resources to help get you started:
1) Read the weekly reading in the textbook
2) Id climate based on state then closest city:
https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/united-states/us
3) Learn more about sustainable materials:
https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/green/10-cutting-edge-building-materials.htm
BIO220 Environmental Science
Week 7 Assignment
Water Quality Essay
Write a 750-1,000-word essay about water quality in your community that addresses the following points:
Obtain a water quality report from your local municipality within the last two years and discuss what you found in the report?
Identify a water quality issue happening in your community and where the pollution comes from? This includes point sources (for example, water discharge from a factory; contamination from a Superfund site), Non-point sources (for example, agricultural runoff), and Natural sources.
Describe how the pollution source is impacting the environment and human health in your community, and provide two examples of each.
Identify three management practices to minimize water pollution.
Remember to support your data and information with appropriate citations. A minimum of five peer-reviewed references must be included.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
