Exercise 1. Part 1) How does a class being conducted online instead of on campus increase or decrease the classes' contribution to the carbon cycle during the term? Consider the differences between the two in terms of methods of travel, and use of facilities, energy, and other resources. Remember to focus on the impact to the carbon cycle. Part 2) Complete the ecological footprint quiz at the following link: http://myfootprint.org/en/visitor_information and report your results. What did you learn about you and your family's impact on the environment?
• Part 1) We decrease the distribution to the carbon cycle by being in online classes, because the burning of fossil fuels increase the amount of CO2 being distributed into the air. Being in online classes keeps one indoors to do their classwork and participate.
• Part 2) My carbon footprint is 59.47, My food footprint is 76.46, My housing footprint is 34.17, My goods and services footprint is 21.15. If everyone in the planet lived my lifestyle, we would need 4.95 earths. After doing this quiz, it showed me that I need to start recycling a little more and buying products that would be better for me and the environment specially when it comes to the foods I eat, I need to eat more healthier and spend less on fast food items which is something me and my family frequent every weekend. I did not know just the little things I do could effect the environment so much.
Exercise 2. Using ONE ecosystem from the list below, explain the role of the carbon, hydrologic, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles in this ecosystem. Choose from a "normal": tropical rain forest, tundra, river delta, or savannah.
• In a tropical rain forest, the hydrologic system is the most important system of all. Water is needed to help with the growth of the many different plants within that ecosystem as well as keeping the grounds moist for the animals. The carbon cycle plays a role in emitting CO2 in the air from photosynthesis as well as emitting carbon to plants from the ocean and many activities from humans and animals. The nitrogen cycle plays an important role being that it is said that the air we breathe is 78% nitrogen and plants need the nitrogen. Rain forests are filled with plants. Since a rain forest is filled with soil, sediments and water, the nitrogen cycle is performed through the breaking down of the bacteria within these things. The phosphorous cycle role is in anything living. Animals, plants, and rocks.
Exercise 3. Make a table containing three industrial and one of your activities that impact the nitrogen cycle. List whether each activity results in an increase or a decrease in atmospheric nitrogen. List your references!
Action Increases atmospheric Nitrogen Decreases atmospheric Nitrogen
Driving X
Transportation Systems X
Manufacturing X
Land Fills X