Homework: Intro to Environmental Science
Part 1
a) What disciplines fall under the broad category of Environment Science? Describe key aspects of each and how they might relate to you.
b) Consider the ecosystem(s) that surround(s) your home. How is each affected by human activities?
c) What is ecological modeling? Give an example of an ecological model and explain why it is useful.
d) What is a biogeochemical cycle? Describe the water cycle and its importance in the other biogeochemical cycles and the environment.
Part 2
a) Name two extinct organisms from different geological ages and explain why each probably became extinct.
b) Explain how each of the five major population characteristics shapes population dynamics.
c) Explain some examples of non-symbiotic and symbiotic mutualisms. What is at least one way that mutualisms affect your daily life?
d) What is a keystone species? What types of organisms does this term often apply to? Identify one such keystone species that supports organisms that are important to you and explain why.
e) Different types of biomes might form in a particular place on land. What factors most strongly influence which biome forms? In a given location, what factors contribute to the type of aquatic system that may form? Give and explain a concrete example.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.