Midterm Review Questions Flashcards
- What is REDD? How was this influential in reducing deforestation in Brazil?
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Norway gave Brazil 1 billion to stop deforestation of the Amazon. Deforestation decreased by 67%, protected area now 50% of forest, indigenous groups control 20%, enforcement of logging laws with jail time, education to make soy and beef more productive, exposés on soybean and beef industries, social programs to lift 10 million out of poverty.
- What is ITTA and TFAP? Name one feature that is shared between these initiatives and one feature unique for each initiative.
International Tropical Timber Agreement and Tropical Forestry Action Plan. Both want forest restoration, ITTA wants greater law enforcement, TFAP believes poverty is the root cause.
- Describe one initiative in the video examining value of tropical forests.
Canopy Capital, a private equity firm, is attempting to evaluate resources, develop a market for them, identify resources.
- Define desertification
“land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.”
Many definitions include loss of primary productivity due to unsustainable use of soil, water, vegetation.
- Why does desertification not include hyper arid locations?
Because they are very desert-like already, and offer few resources to humans.
- What is the aridity index?
A numerical measurement of annual precipitation to evapotranspiration.
- Name three regions where there is substantial desertification occurring.
Desert margins of North and Southern Africa, Great Plains and pampas of Americas, Australian Outback.
- What is causing drought conditions in the Sahel?
There isn’t one concrete cause. The area is reliant on tropical storms and the West African Monsoon for precipitation. Land mismanagement, such as excessive logging, grazing, and over-cultivation may play a part. Climate change, particularly the warming of the Pacific Ocean.
- What are the direct causes of desertification?
Intensive grazing, over-cultivation, over-exploitation of vegetation, salinization.
- Describe two results of intensive grazing.
A decrease in vegetation cover can cause soil erosion by water or wind as the soil has no cover and isn’t bound to plants. The encroachment of unpalatable or noxious shrubs due to decreased competition.
- How does overuse of vegetation result in desertification?
Clearing vegetation beyond its natural ability to regenerate can lead to desertification as the soil loses its cover. The soil also loses nutrient input from decomposing leaves. In Ethiopia, fewer trees has led to people using manure as a fuel, which would otherwise give nutrients to the soil.
- Identify two activities that result in salinization
Poor irrigation techniques, such as overwatering, poor drainage, and water leakage from supply canals.
- Name four ecosystems that are part of a coastal zone.
Seagrass beds, mangroves, estuaries, coral
- Which coastal zone allows innocent passage of foreign vessels?
Territorial waters (12 nautical miles from low tide point on the coast)
- Name three ecosystem services provided by coastal zones and three human uses of coastal zones.
They protect shorelines (wave break, prevent erosion), purify water and remove waste products, provide food, shelter, and nursery areas for many fish species.
- Describe three types of development that negatively impact coastal zones.
Coastal ports are a source of air and water pollution and can bring in invasive species. Dredging destroys ocean floor. Removal of beach sand to create beaches elsewhere, use in concrete, landfill. Housing development.
- What is eutrophication? What causes it?
A body of water accumulates high concentrations of nutrients, usually nitrates and phosphates, which result in overgrowth of algae that, when being decomposed by bacteria, deplete the surrounding water of oxygen and cause a dead zone.
- What type of coastal system did the city of Waikiki replace?
A mangrove forest.
- Describe five causes of coral reef decline.
Over collecting of specimens, such as for aquariums or calcium supplements. Using poisons and explosives to fish on reefs. Ocean acidification due to increased CO2, coral bleaching as a result of temperature change, acidity, sedimentation, increased UV exposure, recreational use.
- Describe the symbiotic relationship of coral.
Via photosynthesis, the algae create oxygen and carbohydrates which the coral need, while the coral supplies CO2 and protection.
- How has overfishing in Jamaica caused declines in coral reefs?
An absence of fish to eat fast-growing algae has allowed the algae to overgrow and replace (a phase-shift) the coral.
- Where are most mangrove forests located?
Southeast Asia
- Describe how the Sundarbans are being successfully managed.
New areas are planted to sustainably harvest fuelwood an increase coastal protection. The forest is divided into compartments, which are harvested until a quota has been reached, then they move on to another compartment. Large trees are only removed if it doesn’t contribute to canopy loss.
- What are the goals of integrated coastal management?
The planning process must be continuous and adaptable. Stakeholders and regulators must reach a consensus on the best mix of conservation, resource use, and economic development.
- Name two ways that urbanization impacts water.
Changing the surface water flows on, such as concrete – it’s impervious and changes the volume, frequency, and timing of floods. Can lower water quality by increasing sediment, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, nutrients, and bacteria.
- Name one way the Jumana River is impacted by urbanization.
Incredibly high concentrations of coliforms from raw sewage input: 24 million per 100ml after leaving New Delhi. WHO recommends 10 per 100.
