Bulk Environmental Labs/Research papers

3 PAGES APA STYLE PAPER

In this assignment, you will investigate the biotic and abiotic structure and function of an ecosystem. You will also investigate how ecosystems recover from disturbance naturally and through human restoration.

Choose 1 of the following ecosystems:

• Tropical rainforest

• Grassland

• Coral reef

• Estuary

• Desert

You will write an APA-style research paper about your choice of ecosystem, including the following elements:

• Describe where this type of ecosystem might be located. Name 1 specific example.

• Describe the structure of the ecosystem.

  • List at least 3 specific examples of both abiotic components and biotic components for the ecosystem type selected.

• Describe the function of the ecosystem

  • In your own words, explain or define biogeochemical cycle.

  • Describe the steps in the carbon cycle as an example of one biogeochemical cycle.

• Describe disturbance and recovery

  • Describe 1 natural and 1 human-caused disturbance to the ecosystem that you have chosen.

  • Describe the damage to the ecosystem for each example, including how the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the ecosystem changed.

• Provide 2 examples of natural resources provided by the ecosystem that you have selected.

  • How can these be sustained into the future?

  • How can humans act as good stewards to assist ecosystem recovery? Provide 1 example specific to the ecosystem that you have chosen.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, other credible references, intellipath, and course materials.

Please submit your assignment in your assignment box.

	Grading Rubric
70%	Content Development/Critical Thinking: Student uses relevant content to fully and accurately answer all questions. Student demonstrates critical thinking by synthesizing original answers in student’s own words based on reading and research, and includes relevant examples.
20%	Organization, Grammar, and Presentation: Organization is clear. Writing clearly and effectively communicates relevant content. Few if any errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
10%	5% Information Literacy and Research: Student selects and uses high-quality, credible references relevant to the assignment questions. 5% Sources are correctly cited using APA style: The paper follows APA format and includes a title page, abstract, body of paper, and reference list.

PAPER #2 ABOUT 3 PAGES

You will write a research paper about the demographic transition model and global food production and distribution for a growing human population to meet global food security goals. You must use APA format for the paper and documentation.

Include the following:

• Describe the demographic transition model and how it was developed by demographers.

• Describe the 4 phases of demographic transition.

  • For each phase, compare crude birth rates (CBR) to crude death rates (CDR), and state whether the population is stable, growing, or declining in each. ·

• According to demographers, what factors lead to a decline of the CDR in phase two and the CBR in phase three of the demographic transition? ·

• Briefly describe 3 living conditions in developed countries that have reached phase four, and contrast them with these same conditions in developing countries that remain in earlier phases.

  • Note: When comparing and contrasting, include details for each of the entities being compared and contrasted. For example, if comparing availability of clean water in a developed country, contrast availability of clean water in a developing country.

• Research and describe a program for developing countries that would help improve 1 of the 3 conditions that you compared.

• Food security means that everyone has an adequate amount of nutritious food to lead healthy lives. Research and describe 1 specific program that helps developing countries reach food security goals.

The following rubric will be used for grading:

	Grading Rubric
70%	Content Development/Critical Thinking: Student uses relevant content to fully and accurately answer all questions. Student demonstrates critical thinking by synthesizing original answers in student’s own words based on reading and research, and includes relevant examples.
20%	Organization, Grammar, and Presentation: Organization is clear. Writing clearly and effectively communicates relevant content. Few if any errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
10%	5% Information Literacy and Research: Student selects and uses high-quality, credible references relevant to the assignment questions. 5% Sources are correctly cited using APA style: The paper follows APA format and includes a title page, abstract, body of paper, and reference list.

PAPER #3

You will prepare an 3 PAGE APA-style research paper to discuss energy topics, as follows:

• In your own words, describe the laws of thermodynamics.

• Explain how these scientific laws apply to energy use, energy conversions, and the need for energy efficiency.

• Describe the pros and cons of the following energy types, writing 1 paragraph for each:

  • Fossil fuel: Oil, natural gas, and coal

  • Nuclear energy

  • Solar energy

  • Wind power

  • Water (hydro) power

  • Bioconversion (biofuel)

• Research and describe 2 provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

  • Describe each provision, and provide your opinion about how each provision helps the United States meet energy use goals.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.

Please submit your assignment.

This assignment will also be assessed using additional criteria provided  here .

The following rubric will be used for grading:

	Grading Rubric
70%	Content Development/Critical Thinking: Student uses relevant content to fully and accurately answer all questions. Student demonstrates critical thinking by synthesizing original answers in student’s own words based on reading and research, and includes relevant examples.
20%	Organization, Grammar, and Presentation: Organization is clear. Writing clearly and effectively communicates relevant content. Few if any errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
10%	5% Information Literacy and Research: Student selects and uses high-quality, credible references relevant to the assignment questions. 5% Sources are correctly cited using APA style: The paper follows APA format and includes a title page, abstract, body of paper, and reference list.

PAPER #4

2-3 PAPGES

Pollutants can harm ecosystem function and may also harm human health.

You will write an APA-style research paper about pollutants, their impacts, and mitigation of harmful effects. Include the following:

• Select 1 example of an environmental pollutant from the following list:

  • Acid precipitation/ Acid rain

  • Smog

  • DDT pesticide use

  • Eutrophication

• Answer the following questions about the pollution problem that you chose:

  • Describe the pollutant chosen and the source of the pollutants. Include both natural and human sources, as applicable.

    • Is this a point-source pollutant or nonpoint-source pollutant? Explain.

  • What are the harmful impacts of the pollution?

    • Describe impacts to both humans and to ecosystem structure and function.

  • What steps are in place to eliminate the pollutant or to mitigate harm from the pollutant?

    • Describe examples of laws or regulations that apply to the pollution and its sources.

    • Also, describe educational programs, technology, or other initiatives that are used to help control the pollution.

  • Have the programs, best management practices, or regulations been effective in resolving harm from the pollutant?

    • Give examples of progress, or explain with examples what more could be done.

The following rubric will be used for grading:

	Grading RubriC
70%	Content Development/Critical Thinking: Student uses relevant content to fully and accurately answer all questions. Student demonstrates critical thinking by synthesizing original answers in student’s own words based on reading and research, and includes relevant examples.
20%	Organization, Grammar, and Presentation: Organization is clear. Writing clearly and effectively communicates relevant content. Few if any errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
10%	5% Information Literacy and Research: Student selects and uses high-quality, credible references relevant to the assignment questions. 5% Sources are correctly cited using APA style: The paper follows APA format and includes a title page, abstract, body of paper, and reference list.

PAPER # 5: 2-3 PAGES

For this assignment, you will research and write an 2-3 PAGERS APA research paper about environmental policies, including the following:

• Choose 1 U.S. environmental law. State the name of the law and the date the law was passed.

• Summarize the major provisions of the law that you chose.

• Describe the economic impact of the law. Provide specific economic data from credible references.

• Has the law improved the environment or situation? Provide specific data from credible references.

• Do you think that sound science has proven that global warming is a credible threat or not?

• Should the United States adopt additional policies or laws to curb greenhouse gas emissions?

  • What should these policies or laws regulate or encourage?

  • Use specific facts to defend your position.

The following grading rubric will be used for grading:

	Grading Rubric
70%	Content Development/Critical Thinking: Student uses relevant content to fully and accurately answer all questions. Student demonstrates critical thinking by synthesizing original answers in student’s own words based on reading and research, and includes relevant examples.
20%	Organization, Grammar, and Presentation: Organization is clear. Writing clearly and effectively communicates relevant content. Few if any errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
10%	5% Information Literacy and Research: Student selects and uses high-quality, credible references relevant to the assignment questions. 5% Sources are correctly cited using APA style: The paper follows APA format and includes a title page, abstract, body of paper, and reference list.