Ecological Engineering in the Tropics Assignments
Assignments
(date due):
Assignment 1 (01/22/08):
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Text,
Chapter 1: Why Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration.
Read a Primer
on Ecological Engineering
Read a Design
Sequence Summary
Complete the following questions:
1.
Based on Chapter 1, define in your own words the input and
output rules of Lemons et al. (1998). [1-2 sentences]
2.
Based on Chapter 1, explain why the authors’ say
ecological engineering is already happening, and yet they say now is the
appropriate time for ecological engineering, and call for changes in our
educational system. [2-3 sentences]
3.
Based on the Primer or Chapter, how do you view the future
of ecological engineering? [1-3 sentences]
4.
Browse abstracts from the Published Research Topics list at
the base of the page. Find 1 or more that report on threats or damage to
natural systems, and find 1 or more that report on threats or damage to society
or groups of humans. Using these abstracts, together with the Design Sequence
Summary, experiment with completing a design that protects, restores, or
creates a sustainable ecosystem. Produce the problem formulation [1-2
sentences], problem analysis [2-4 sentences], and then generate a few
alternative solutions using ecological engineering principles [2-4 sentences
per solution, sketches allowed].
Assignment 2 (02/05/08):
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Text,
Chapter 2: Definitions.
Peruse: Harte, October
2002, Physics Today, Toward a Synthesis of the Newtonian and Darwinian World
Views
Complete the following questions in a
few typed sentences:
1.
Based on Chapter 2, list your favorite five synonyms for
ecological engineering, and explain why they were selected.
2.
Compose a full definition [1-2 sentences] and a sound bite (slogan) [1 sentence] of Ecological
Engineering that would be readily understood by an ESF student, a Honduran
resource manager, a Honduran vacationer.
3.
Again, browse abstracts from the Published Research Topics
list at the base of the page. Find 1 or more that report on threats or damage
to natural systems, and find 1 or more that report on threats or damage to
society or groups of humans. Using these abstracts, any additional information,
and the Design Sequence Summary to create a design that protects, restores, or
creates a sustainable ecosystem. Complete problem formulation [1-2 sentences],
problem analysis [2-4 sentences], and then generate a few alternative solutions
using ecological engineering principles [2-4 sentences per solution, sketches
allowed].
4.
Based on Chapter 2 or the Primer, explain how one or all of
your design alternatives represents the concept of: a) self design, b)
ecological theory acid test, c) system approach, d) resource conservation, and
e) ecosystem conservation.
Assignment 3 (02/12/08):
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Text,
Chapter 3: Classification of Ecological Engineering.
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Text,
Chapter 7: through page 137, Stream & River Restoration.
Complete the following questions in a
few typed sentences:
1.
State the five functional classifications for ecological engineering, and for each explain what aspect of watershed
or river restoration could serve as an example [1 sentence for each of the 5
classifications].
2.
The book states ecological engineering projects should be
subjected to six considerations prior to implementation. Explain for one of
your designs from assignment 1 or 2, or a new design, how you would subject the
design to each of the six considerations [1-2 sentences per consideration].
3.
Look over the river restoration ecological engineering
projects in Chapter 3, Table 3.2. Again, browse abstracts from the Published
Research Topics list at the base of the page, and find 3 problems that could be
solved using ecological engineering designs. Brainstorm on some creative,
ideal, design and then create 3 new entries for Table 3.2, 1 for each project
design. Give the project title [1 sentence per project], location, purpose [1-2
sentences per project], and state whether the six considerations were
addressed.
Assignment 4 (02/19/08):
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Chapter 4:
Ecosystems.
Examine the Energese
language.
Complete the following questions in a
few typed sentences:
1.
Use the ecological language ‘Energese’ as
depicted and defined in Chapter 4 Figure 4.5, to create, label and then caption
a diagram for an ecosystem of your choosing, relating back to solar inputs and
connecting to a consumer. If you’re stuck, try finding inspiration in
Figures 4.1 and 4.4. [use 1 source and at least 1 of the following: sink,
passive storage, interaction, consumer, and producer, connected by energy flow
arrows; put a 1-sentence caption on the figure that explains what is occurring]
2.
Identify at least 4 equations from Chapter 4 and a) explain
how they relate to and ecological principles [1 sentence per equation], and b)
explain how they might be used in a computer model to asses the impact of an
ecological engineering design alternative [1-3 sentences per equation].
Assignment 5 (02/26/08):
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Text,
Chapter 5: Ecological Design Principles.
Examine an Illustration
of Simple Surveying Techniques.
Complete the following questions in a
few typed sentences:
1.
Type out the 19 design principles [1 sentence each], from
Chapter 5, to take to
2.
Link similar principles together to create a typed list of
5 key design principles to which you can refer in
3.
Based on Simple Surveying Techniques, explain how you would
create a sketch, profile, dimension and pattern assessment for
a river [~4 sentences].
4.
On last time, browse abstracts from the Published Research
Topics list at the base of the page. Find 1 or more that report on threats or
damage to natural systems, and find 1 or more that report on threats or damage
to society or groups of humans. Using these abstracts, any additional
information, and the Design Sequence Summary to create a design that protects,
restores, or creates a sustainable ecosystem. Complete problem formulation [1-2
sentences], problem analysis [2-4 sentences], generate a few alternative
solutions using ecological engineering principles [2-4 sentences per solution,
sketches allowed], and explain how you would make a selection among the
alternatives [1-3 sentences].
Assignment 6 (03/04/08):
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Text,
Section 7.4 & Section 7.5: Stream & River Restoration.
Read Mitsch & Jorgensen Text,
Section 9.1: Coastal Restoration.
Answer and act on the following
question:
1.
Is it worth it to bring my Mitsch and Jorgensen text to
2.
Have you packed your sun block, tropical clothes, river
shoes, and copy of Gaviotas?
Published Research Topics – List of Titles with Abstracts
(Please note some titles have no abstract; use the library to get the full article. Also note some titles are listed under multiple topics. These titles were retrieved from a Web of Science search using the key word topics listed below.)