Environmental Science Worksheet

University of Phoenix Material -

Environmental Science Worksheet

Answer the following questions in at least 100 words. The answers are found in Ch. 1–4 of the text.

1. Provide a brief summary of the history of the environmental movement?

2. Explain the main point concerning exponential growth and whether it is good or bad. Compare exponential growth to a logistic growth curve and explain how these might apply to human population growth. What promotes exponential growth? What constrains population growth?

3. Compare predictions for human population growth in developed countries versus developing countries. Why is it difficult to predict the growth of Earth’s human population?

4. Explain how principles of system theory apply to the Earth as a living system.

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Exponential growth is where the rate of increase is a constant percentage of the current size. The growth occurs at a constant rate per time period. Depending on the situation, this could either be a good or bad thing. If it is pertaining to a bank account with interest, then it would be considered a good thing, but if it concerns acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), then of course it would not be such a good thing. Exponential growth has no upper limit and grows very quickly. The logistic curve has a limit and growth approaches this limit in a sigmoid type fashion. If in fact the rate of increase in population was constant, the exponential growth chart would show population increasing substantially at as fast rate considering there is no limit to population. On a logistic curve, the growth rate depends on population density and is restricted by carrying capactiy. The growth rate declines as the population increases....