Ecology Study Guide

	STUDY GUIDE - BI 176

Textbook: Miller, G.T. Living in the Environment, 10th Edition
          Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1998.

The following is designed to help you focus on items of significance 

in each of the chapters that we cover. There is a high degree of 

probability that much of this material will be the basis for

questions on tests you will take. 

Chapter 1 Environmental Problems and their Causes

p. 4 understand exponential growth, Figure 1-1, italicized statement
p. 6-7 major strategies needed for a sustainable society
p. 8 understand doubling time and Rule of 70
p. 8 GNP, GDP, MDC, LDC - characteristics of each
p.11-12,16 what is a resource, a mineral, what are the 5 choices 

we have when a mineral resource bercomes economically depleted
p.16 what is a reserve; see Figure 1-14
p.12-15 be aware of Garrett Hardin and The Tragedy of the Commons 
p.16-17 what is pollution, a pollutant; point vs. non-point sources
what are 3 factors that determine how severe the effects of a pollutant

will be(17)
p.18-19 understand input vs. output controls
p.20-21 what are some key environmental problems and their root causes,

see also Figure 1-16
p.20-21 be aware of connections between root causes and problems; 

see also Figures 1-17, 1-18; what is difference between people

overpopulation and consumption overpopulation
p.26-29 what are the major philosophical differences between Julian Simon

and Ann and Paul Ehrlich

Chapter 2 Brief History of Resource Use and Conservation

p.34 see Figure 2-3
p.35 what is slash and burn cultivation and its implications
p.35 what are the major environmental impacts of the switch from

hunter-gather to agricultural based societies
p.37 Figure 2-6; names to know Teddy Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot
p.39 Spotlight Box; Role and philosophy of John Muir, Aldo Leopold;

understand differences between Wise Use and Preservationist philosophies
p.40 role of Alice Hamilton
p.40-41 Understand interrelationships between Depression, FDR, CCC,

Soil Conservation Department, Dust Bowl, Fish and Wildlife Service
p.42-43 who is Rachel Carson, what did she write; its significance
p.42 Figure 2-11; OPEC, oil embargos, role of Jimmy Carter
p.44-45 what is sagebrush rebellion, its philosophy and Ronald Reagan's

role in environmental policy
p.45 Figure 2-12
p.46 Guest Essay - Lester Brown


Chapter 4 Matter and Energy Resources: Types and Concepts

it is assumed you understand the nature of the atom and its 

subatomic components and their properties

p.80-84 natural radioactivity, decay, radioactive isotopes; half-life
concept; nuclear fission, chain reaction
nuclear fusion; laws of thermodynamics and implications for living systems


Chapter 15 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

p.394-9 years to make transition; questions to ask re energy alternatives; 
concept of net energy; life cycle cost
p.400-401 reasons for reducing energy waste
p.401 methods for using waste heat; cogeneration; electric motor
replacement - variable speed; energy management with computers; producing
electricity - matching cost to demand
p.402 transportation - increase fuel efficiency of existing vehicles,
shift to electric cars; trains and ships vs. trucks
p.403-407 ways to save energy in buildings - Georgia Power company example
vs. World Trade Center; superinsulation benefits and problems
p.403-7 problems of retrofitting; savings from heating space, water, 
different appliances and lights
p.407-10 direct use of solar; benefits of developing renewable energy 
resources in the U.S.; passive vs. active solar heating
p.411 pro and cons of current active systems; natural cooling system 
examples
p.411-3 solar furnace, thermal plant, power tower, cooker
p.413-5 photovoltaics - definitions ; pros and cons of current
p.416 hydropower; limits to further growth in U.S., net energy yield
p.416-8 benefits and problems of each type of solar pond
p.418-9 benefits and problems of wind power technology
p.419-421 see Figure 15-26 for summary; what is gasohol
See also Table 15-1 p.421
p.424 limitations of hydrogen power
p.425-8 geothermal sources, types, pros and cons
p.426-7 guest essay - Amory Lovins



Chapter 16 Nonrenewable Energy Resources

p. 431 oil - differences between primary, secondary, enhanced recovery
methods; what are petrochemicals
p. 433 how long will supplies last - global crude oil will be economically
depleted in 44 years
most alternative sources and forms such as shale oil or tar sands are not
productive or lack technological or economical feasibility
p. 436-38 pros and cons of natural gas
p. 438 coal - three types plus peat; pros and cons
p. 441 minimal role for synfuels in next 40 years
p. 443-50 nuclear energy - fission reactors - role of control rods,
moderator, coolant
problems of disposal of low and high level radioactive wastes
suggested mechanisms of disposal for high level wastes
methods of decommissioning of worn-out nuclear plants
p. 453-4 breeder technology not economically feasible; cost and complexity
of fusion reactions make short term gain unlikely
p. 454-5 economics of energy resource use - 3 approaches


Chapter 11 Population Dynamics: Influencing Population Size


see notes already handed out

the following is a more detailed look at China's program
_ strongly encouraging couples to postpone marriage
_ expanding educational opportunities
_ providing mariied couples with easy access to free sterilization,
  contraceptives, and abortion
_ giving couples who sign pledges to have no more than one child  
  economic rewards such as salary bonuses, extra food, larger 
  pensions, better housing, free medical care and school tuition 
  for their child, and preferential treatment in employment when  
  the child grows up
_ requiring those who break the pledge to return all benefits
_ exerting pressure on women pregnant with a third child to have  
  abortions
_ requiring one of the parents in a two-child family to be       
  sterilized
_ using mobile units and paramedics to bring sterilization, family 
  planning, health care and education to rural areas
_ training local people to carry on the family planning program
_ expecting all leaders to set an example with their own family 
  size

p.300-1 Garrett Hardin's guest essay and his deer example


Chapter 12 Population Distribution: Urban Living


43% of world's population lives in urban areas - define
p. 313-4 Case study: Mexico City - note problems
p. 317-321Environmental Effects - note items mentioned particularly with reference to solid waste and noise pollution