Ecotourism in Sabah, Malaysia

Presenter- Levi Schlegel

Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of this presentation, a fully engaged student should be able to:
1. Identify the state of Sabah in terms of geographic location, political affiliation, and general characterization
2. Identify the 4 contemporary parameters that define ecotourism
3. Identify 2 of the 7 National Parks in Sabah and characterize their primary geographic or ecological attraction
4. Identify the UNESCO-designated status of Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Malaysia and briefly characterize the significance of this designation
5. Identify 2 species classified as endangered or threatened by the IUCN that are found in Sabah and name a specific location in which they are found
6. Identify and briefly characterize 2 of the 3 enumerated hurdles that Sabah faces in further developing its ecotourism industry

Powerpoint Presentation

http://www.slideshare.net/secret/uDpfVI8hIOtjFj

Ecological Effects of the Indonesian Tsunami

Presenter- Colleen Flynn

Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course a fully engaged student should be able to

1) Explain what causes a tsnumai
2) List effects of Flooding and Receding Waters on rivers, farm soil, and coral reefs
3) Discuss effects of sedimentation on coral reefs
4) Identify three effects of the tsunami on Sea Grass
5) List a benefit of mangroves and what the loss of mangroves has caused
6) Indentify whether the population number of Dugong was severely impacted by the tsunami
7) Describe the state of beaches following the tsunami and implications it had on turtle nesting

Powerpoint Presentation

http://www.slideshare.net/secret/JZbrpIMmMDUdAH

Electropollution

Presenter- Kristi McCaleb

Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course a fully engaged student should be able to

1) explain the meaning of electropollution.

2) explain where electropollution comes from and the potential consequences of electropollution

3) discuss why this is a relatively new and even controversial subject

4) discuss some possible tips to reduce individual electropollution encountered and potential solutions to the problem.

Powerpoint presentation

http://www.slideshare.net/secret/rV67sIVFRZ2R0

Possum Kingdon Lake

Presenter- Laura Stout

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of this course a fully engaged student should be able to

1. define eutrophication
2. describe the process that leads to eutrophication in lakes and rivers
3. describe how the black sea is a unique example of a dead zone
4. describe the combination of factors that led to eutrophication in Possum Kingdom Lake
5. describe how golden algae was such a deadly killer

Further Reading

Here are some websites that will be helpful for students to read:
http://www.cop.noaa.gov/stressors/extremeevents/hab/habhrca/FreshwaterReport_final_2008.pdf
http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR647.pdf
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Eutrophication

Questions for Final Exam

Here are the questions for the Final Exam (I have modified some of them slightly from the original form). Enjoy.

1. Discuss some examples throughout history in which humans were unable to predict their effects on the environment. Why is this the case?

2. Discuss some ways in which humans use the environment for non-exploitative satisfaction (i.e. entertainment). Do you think that we can use this as a mechanism for conservation?

3. Relate/Apply lessons learned from the use of "old" technology with the emergence of "new" technology.

4. Explain the effects of an invasive species on an areas ecological, economical, and cultural aspects.

Writing Assignment

Human Population

Your assignment is to write an "opinion piece" for a newspaper (you should indicate which paper you choose to write for) discussing some aspect of humnan population growth at a local, regional, state, national, or international scale. Because this is a class about the environment, at least some of your paper should discuss the relationship between population and environmental issues.

Length: Maximum of three pages double spaced.

Rough Draft Due: Thursday April 15th

Final Draft Due: Tuesday May 4th

Asian Carp- an Invasive Species

Presenter: Elizabeth Portillo

Date: April 1, 2010

Video

Here is a video from CBS that I think hits a lot of the high points of my topic if you would like to post it on the blog prior to or after my presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oii4U3cQx_E


Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of this presentation a fully engaged student should be able to:

- define invasive species
- discuss the threats caused by invasive species in general
- discuss factors that allow species to invade/succeed in new communities i.e. novel associations (predator v. prey) and competition
- discuss how and why Asian Carp were introduced
- discuss threats caused by Asian Carp
- discuss strategies to exclude or eliminate Asian Carp
- discuss the ongoing political issues and supreme court involvement regarding prevention of Asian Carp spread

Powerpoint Presentation

http://www.slideshare.net/secret/uzCfq9n8hTe4cK