In: Biology
1. A recent article predicts that the population of orcas (killer whales) in the ocean will drop by about one half over the next ten years because the whales have high PCB levels in their tissues. These highly intelligent mammals are top predators and their absence would cause widespread distortions of ocean food webs, although the population sizes of edible fish species would not change. Followers of which kind of ethics will find this news distressing? [Note that orcas are no longer held in captivity by marine mammal entertainment facilities (e.g., seaworld).]
2. Which of the following companies comes closest to operating in a sustainable manner, paying the "true costs" of its operations, and uses the triple bottom line philosophy?
3.
Below is a list of examples of benefits that ecosystems provide to people. Match each benefit with the correct category of ecosystem services.
A. Regulating services |
B. Provisioning services |
C. Supporting services |
D. Cultural services |
selectABCD | 1. Before Europeans came, Michigan had a large area of old growth beech-maple forest near its southern border. Except for a small area where the loggers ate lunch, the entire beech-maple forest ecosystem was logged in the 1800’s. Only the loggers’ picnic area remains as a small remnant (~300 acres) of the great beech-maple forest. That remnant is now called Warren Woods. The ancient beech trees in Warren Woods are about 125 feet tall. The soil is rich, and the ground is covered with colorful wildflowers. For many years, a sign at the entrance stated, “Welcome to the forest primeval.” People come to experience walking through an ancient forest that feels like a cathedral. |
selectABCD | 2. Since about 3 billion years ago, miniscule aquatic bacteria have been performing photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. They and their descendants, called chloroplasts, which live inside the cells of algae and land plants, produced, and continue to produce, nearly all the oxygen in our atmosphere. They also capture carbon from the atmosphere and incorporate it into carbohydrates, fats, oils, protein, and other types of food. All the carbon in all of our foods came to us by way of these photosynthetic bacteria and their descendants. |
selectABCD | 3. The dead remains of leaves, insects, worms, and other organisms contain thousands of different kinds of organic (carbon-containing) and inorganic chemicals. Plants are unable to use these chemicals until the dead remains are chemically transformed during the decay process. Decay is carried out by various types of fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Without the chemical transformations that take place during the decay process, living plants would quickly use up all the available nutrients in the soil and die. Without decay, there would be no plants. Without plants, there would be no animals. |
selectABCD | 4. Large lakes are fed by incoming streams. When the forest is intact, the streams are deep and the water is cold and clear. Fish and other animals do better in cold water because cold water can hold more oxygen. The presence of the lake also causes a moderation in the air temperature near the lake. |
4.
Both energy and matter move into and out of nearly all ecosystems on Earth.
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ANSWER 1 :-
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