Science Applied FRQ

Free-Response question

For many people, organic farming involves far more than the reduction of pesticide and fertilizer use. Organic farming is also a method of caring for the land in a manner that will benefit landscape ecology and sustain crop production for many years.

a) Succession is the ecological process by which plants replace each other on a landscape through competition and facilitation. How can the principle of succession be used to generate a sustainable organic farm?

Succession can be used to have a sustainable organic farm by replacing old plants and having more healthier plants.

b) Describe three methods of reducing soil erosion.

- organic matter content increases
- base saturation increases
- cation exchange capactit increases

c) What is integrated pest management, and how might it be applied to organic farming?

Integrated pest management: a strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests.
It can be applied by biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cutural practices, etc.

The Prospect of Perennial Crops

Critical Thinking questions

1. Some disadvantages are disruption in the soil and have shorter growing seasons. Also the roots are shorter and cannot get as much nutrients as the perennial crops can.

2. Some difficulties in developing perennial crops are that these crops would take a long time to develop than the annual crops

Soil Conservation Strategies

Soil conservation strategies
Analysis questions:
1. No-till means that soil can retain more oxygen, and are not compacted by heavy machinery
2. Increased dependence on herbicides
3. Intercropping and crop rotation are the methods that promote soil conservation.

Intercropping: Grow crops among plants of a different kind

Crop rotation: Action/ system of rotating crops

Agroforestry: agriculture incorporating the cultivation and conservation of trees

Contour plowing: Plowing along the contours of the land to minimize erosion

No-Till Agriculture: way of growing crops without disturbing the soil through tillage

Water usage reflection

Gray water Reflection:

1. How should we balance a desire to irrigate with clean water against the need to conserve limited water supplies?

We should expose people to the concept of gray water and recycling water instead of using clean water for irrigation.

2. Describe how you could formulate an argument to convince a town council to permit the use of gray water for watering lawns.

You could explain the process and then show how we do not need super clean water for watering lawns.


California water usage reflection

1. One challenge is that the more water that agriculture needs, the less clean cold water is available for the wild life to use. For example the Salmon need cold, clean water to lay their eggs, but with more water going to other places, the river water lessens.

2. California farmers might respond by saying that it would cut the cost of water and that the fact that water distribution would better the society because it would provide better resources for the people to live.

The Wealth of Water

Questions:

1. The people of Cochabamba were protesting the privatization of their water system because they felt that water is a basic human right. Do you agree with this belief or do you think water is a commodity that can be bought and sold? Keep in mind that even if it is a human right, there are costs associated with obtaining, purifying, and distributing water. Who do you think should pay for these cost? Where should the money come from?

I agree that water should be a basic human right, but obtaining, purifying and distributing water costs money and people should pay a little bit for this right. I think that the government should make compromises with the people in setting the price for water. The money should come from the people and the government.

2. In light of the above statements, how should developing countries deal with the problems associated with a lack of clean, fresh water?

Developing countries should ask other countries for advice on how to have more clean and fresh water. Also regarding costs, these countries should divert most costs to bettering public health than private companies.

3. Bechtel is a multinational corporation and, like all corporations, the main goal is profit. Do you think Bechtel should profit from the management of a water system? If not, what should their incentive be? If so, what restrictions, if any, should be imposed?

No, Bechtel should not profit from the management of a water system. Their incentive should be that the more public health, the more people can work for their company and bring in more income.

4. Do you think Cochabamba’s conflict is foreshadowing the future with more wars being fought over water? Can you think of other examples where access to water is being contested?

Yes, I think this conflict could lead to wars over water. Drought and irrigation problems could be examples of water being contested.

Be a Demographer

Life expectancy is influences by the advances in medical technology and in medical care.



Infant mortality is dependent on medical care and access to clean water and adequate nutrition.
 Total fertility rate is influenced by the access to family-planning service and women's educational, social, and workforce status.

Global Warming

I got 83% correct, which is 10/12. I learned that Narwals are endangered because of the global warming.

Article 1: The world's smallest penguin may be in danger
Due to global warming, the smallest penguin has harder time trying to find food in the warmer oceans. These penguins are not used to the warm water, and their prey are not either, so the food for the penguins dimish, which in turn would starve the penguins.

Article 2: Crocodiles and Palm Trees in the Arctic
If the world heated up too much, the waters would get warmer. This would cause the world to revert back to 50 something million years ago, where palm trees grew in Alaska and crocodiles swam in the Arctic.