ENSb 1307


The exam consists of 6 essays and is worth a total of 75 points.  Each answer should be 300–400
words using 11-pt Times New Roman Font 1.5 line spacing.  Number your answers so it is obvious
which question you are addressing.  You must answer independently and not work with anyone else.


Email me your answers by midnight (CEST) Thursday, June 3



You must answer the first three questions worth 15 points each.


1)      Explain the bioenergetics model for ecological succession given below.  Why does it matter
that NPP approaches zero in the climax community?  How is this model relevant for Socio-economic
systems?



2)      The final conclusions of our book, Flourishing within Limits state, we need to do the
following:

1)      increased investment in education and knowledge creation,

2)      accounting the contributions of ecosystem services,

3)      a transition from non-renewable to renewable energy sources,

4)      focus on development and quality over growth and quantity, and

5)      building community networks within sustainable places


Which of these do you think is most important?  Which do you think is most difficult to achieve?



3)      Why are some reasons that we should celebrate limits?



Answer any three of the following (10 points each):


4)      What is the complex system cycle and how does it extend the standard succession concept
from r-selected to K-selected species?  How does collapse potentially benefit the system in the
long run?


5)      “What is life” from a thermodynamic perspective?  How does it differ at the scale of the
individual, population, or ecosystem?


6)      What are the advantages and disadvantages of putting a price on ecosystem services?


7)      What are some of the factors that go into measuring ecological footprint?  How is this
related to biocapacity?


8)      What are some of the parallels between ecological systems and economic systems?


9)      Describe the economic system as an open, “metabolic” system.  How is this different than
the standard view of economics?


10)  What is the significance of the Blue Marble photo (the picture of Earth taken by Apollo 17
astronauts) in the modern environmental movement?


11)  One of the “Habits of a systems thinker” stated “consider how mental models affect current
reality and the future”.  Give an example we discussed in class of a mental model that would
improve human-environment conditions if we changed it.