Answer two of these four questions.
1) Discuss the three factors that Lester Brown feels determine our carrying capacity. What do these have to do with population growth and it distribution across the globe? How does his discussion differ from the other text book?
2) Consider the problem of transitions in populations in the Middle East and Western Europe. Discuss the ramifications of these population trends in terms of the current refugee crises created by the Syrian civil war.
3) Describe the advantages and disadvantages of dams and other river diversions in terms of extraction service from water sheds. How do these disrupt ecosystem function? Compare the current situation in the US as compared to East Asia.
4) Write a short essay on the types of services we receive from different water bodies. Describe the ways these interfere with ecosystem function. Give some examples of each type of service and their impacts on the environment.
In the last five years a lake in California has seen a decrease in volume due to the extended drought. On average the volume before the drought was one km. with a long term average inflow or 0.5 km'/yr. What has been the average outflow? In the drought period the volume of the lake has fallen by half to 0.5 km'. Estimate the approximate difference between inflow and outflow over this period.