1. A fishing company catches tuna by gillnetting in the open ocean. Identify two ways in which this method is unsustainable, and describe a more sustainable alternative for catching tuna.
2. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has established tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for various vitamins and minerals; a UL is the maximum amount of a vitamin or mineral that can be taken daily without risking one's health. People living near a recently constructed smelting plant are tested to determine whether the smelting plant has put them at risk for copper poisoning. The tests show that in the year since the smelting plant was built, the average daily copper intake for adults living near the plant has tripled; however, it remains below the UL for copper established by the IOM. The owner of the smelting plant argues that the tests demonstrate the plant does not put the townspeople at risk for copper poisoning. Is the argument put forth by the plant owner scientifically valid? Give at least two details in support of your position.
3. A proposed plan for managing a national forest emphasizes fire prevention and devotes significant resources to extinguishing all fires as quickly as possible. Describe one way this plan could benefit the forest and one way this plan could damage the forest. Suggest a way to modify the plan to prevent this damage from happening.
4. The largest national forest in the United States is the Tongass National Forest, about a third of which is designated as wilderness areas. In 2008, sections of the forest that are not being managed as wilderness areas were opened to future road building. An environmental activist group protests that this will make those areas vulnerable to future logging and mining. Is this a valid concern? Explain your answer.