APES - Unit 1: Intro to Sustainability

Which of the following statements is best supported by the data shown in the table? A) Passage of rainwater through the green roofs increased the acidity of the water from the increased formation of carbonic acid. B) Green roofs reduced levels of ammonium because the vegetation absorbed the pollutant. C) Green roofs are effective at removing all pollutants from rainwater because the plants can absorb the toxins from the precipitation. D) Green roofs do little to improve rainwater runoff quality as most pollutants are not significantly different from the control roofs.

C) Green roofs reduced levels of ammonium because the vegetation absorbed the pollutant.

One example of the tragedy of the commons occurs when trees are harvested from tropical rain forests without any regulations. Which of the following best describes why this is an example of the tragedy of the commons? A) Tropical rain forests have a thin layer of decaying organic matter and relatively low nutrient levels slowing tree growth. B) Trees are an important resource, but not all individuals can access the resource. C) Timber producers remove as much timber as possible as cheaply as possible. D) Tropical rain forests have the highest number of species per unit area, and trees are important for stability in the ecosystem.

C) Timber producers remove as much timber as possible as cheaply as possible.

Realistic Solutions to the Tragedy of the Commons

Communal Management and Private Property

Which of the following scenarios best explains the concept of the tragedy of the commons? A) Fish farming, a type of aquaculture, produces fish through selective breeding to produce a cheap source of protein, reducing the fishing pressure on wild stock fish. B) A collapse of the fishing industry leads to a loss of fishing-related jobs, which will have negative consequences on the economy. C) Declines in the fish population lead to a decline in the population of fish predators, affecting the entire food chain. D) Fish are shared resources, and as the fishing industry competes for the fish, the resource extraction is no longer sustainable.

D) Fish are shared resources, and as the fishing industry competes for the fish, the resource extraction is no longer sustainable.

Assume that the rainwater from one of the green roofs ran off directly into a nearby lake. Water quality results from which of the following parameters show that the green roof would likely improve water quality in the lake? A) Total phosphorus B) Magnesium C) Boron D) Nitrate

D) Nitrate

The data in the table show mean concentrations (mg/L) of pollutants in rainwater leaving either green or conventional roofs. Which of the following data would be needed to calculate the total amount of a pollutant leaving the roof during and following a rainstorm? A) Distance from street level to roof B) Duration of the rain event C) Total number of plants on the roof D) Total volume of rainfall

D) Total volume of rainfall

Many communities experience the tragedy of the commons. One way a local community might regulate a shared and limited resource and reduce the tragedy of the commons is to A) eliminate ownership of the resources and make them available to all B) reduce the cost of access to the resources C) offer subsides to users of the resources in the form of tax breaks D) divide the resources into parcels and assign them to individuals

D) divide the resources into parcels and assign them to individuals

Current trend between biocapacity and total ecological footprint

Humanity's footprint exceeds earth's capacity

What happened to Easter Island?

Key example of tragedy of the commons - Civilization collapsed after destroying its environment through resource overuse

Path to Sustainability

Natural capital, natural capital degradation, solutions, trade-offs, individuals matter

Ecological Footprint

Our impact on the environment, based on the resources needed and amount of waste produced

Tragedy of the Commons

Overuse or degradation of freely available, common resources like oceans, air, grasslands leading to environmental damage and loss of sustainability

Four Principles of Sustainability

Reliance of solar energy, biodiversity, nutrient recycling, population control

Sustainability

The ability of earth's various systems to survive and adapt to environmental conditions indefinitely.

Biocapacity

The ability of the ecosystem to provide renewable resources

Affluenza

Unsustainable addiction to overconsumption and materialism