Unit 9: Transboundary Issues

Question 1

Geographical jurisdiction

Answer 1

Location where a particular set of laws or rules must be obeyed.

Question 2

Examples of geographical jurisdictions (4)

Answer 2

International Territories (EU); national, provincial/state borders; municipality/county/district boundaries; individual and firm organization’s Property Boundaries

Question 3

Biophysical Region

Answer 3

The biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population (ecosystem, watershed, interior plains, Canadian shield, lowlands, arctic, etc…)

Question 4

Transboundary issues

Answer 4

When a biophysical region crosses multiple jurisdictions.

Question 5

Ogallala aquifer

Answer 5

Aquifer in the southern/central Great Plains of the US. that has been accumulating water for 30,000 years and accounts for 20% of US crop production and 40% of beef production.

Question 6

Ogallala aquifer transboundary issue

Answer 6

Water recharge rate (renewal) is much slower than the withdrawal (use) rate. Many areas will be dry in 10 – 50 years. This is primarily managed as a collective action problem at County or State Level; however regional self interests create ‘tragedy of the commons,’ since each governing body has an incentive to ‘free ride’ off of the management efforts of other regions.