CSS 235:  Society and Natural Resources
FALL 2013  (3 credits)
M W F -- 12:30 - 1:20,   JEB 104
University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources
Instructor:  Professor Ed Krumpe

Food for Thought on Readings

Click on an author's name below to find a set of questions that will help you understand the reading from that author. 

(Authors or topics are listed in alphabetical order.)
 

Bliss and Bailey

Brockerhoff et al.

Burton

Cronon

Daily

Dickson

Ecosystem Services (video)

Ehrlich and Ehrlich (Chapter 12)

Giono

Gore (Video - "An Inconvenient Truth")

Greider and Garkovich

Haider and Morford

Hardin

Hull

Kellert

Lackey

Leopold

Louv

Mann

McKibben

Morford et al.

Oreskes

Ostrom et al

Pollan

Rikoon

Speth - Chapter 1

White

Agyeman, J., Bullard, R.D. and Evans B. (2003).  Joined-up thinking: bringing together sustainability, environmental justice and equity.  In Just Sustainabilities - Development in an Unequal World.  p 1-16

1.   According to the authors, how is environmental quality linked to social justice and the concept of sustainability?

2.  The authors describe three dimensions of ecosystem justice. Explain each.

Berkes et al. 1989.  The Benefits of the Commons

1. What do Berkes et al. say is the usual assumption about the long-term condition of common property?
    

2. On what basis do the authors challenge Hardin�s assumptions about the Tragedy of the Commons?
    

3. What are the two key characteristics of �common property�?
    

4. Name and describe the 4 types of property rights regimes.  Are these regimes always mutually exclusive?  Support your answer.
    

5. What do the case studies described in the article demonstrate?  Do they all demonstrate the same thing?  Do they collectively suggest some different principles than those assumed by Hardin?  What can you conclude from them?
    

6. How do the authors analyze Hardin�s model?  What error(s) did Hardin make, according to these authors?
    

7. What do these authors conclude about sustainable common-property resource management?

Berry, Wendell 2002:  The Pleasures of Eating
1.  What does Berry mean when he discusses eating as an agricultural act?  Do you share this view?  Why or why not?

2.  Berry claims that the food industry is more concerned about volume and price than about quality and health.  What evidence do you have from your own experiences that support or negate this view.  What are the primary drivers of food production, processing and delivery in the U.S.?

3.  How is Berry's commentary connected to other issues we've discussed in this class?  What are some of the social, ecological, economic, philosophical and political issues around food production and consumption?

4.  How are our water issues related to the issues around food production and consumption?

5.  Berry ends his essay with a poem by William Carlos Williams.  How do you interpret this poem?  What do you think Berry's intent was?  What do you think about this intent and interpretation?
 

Bliss, J.C. and C. Bailey (2005).  Pulp, Paper and Poverty:  Forest-based Rural Development in Alabama, 1950-2000.

1.  What were the geographic, or physical, and political reasons for the boom of the forestry industry in the south?

2.  What has been the underlying motivation for the historic changes to land use in the south?

3.  How is land management different in the Eastern U.S. than in the Western U.S.?  How much control does the federal government have over practices on private land as opposed to those on public land?

4.  How and why do tax abatements affect the quality of education in the south?

5.  Who benefits from tax abatements?  Who is harmed?  What can the government do to remedy the negative effects of tax abatements?  Why offer tax incentives in the first place?

6.  What do Bliss and Bailey mean by �what�s good for forestry isn�t necessarily good for communities�?

7.  What social and political factors should be considered when aiming to develop a sustainable rural community?

8.  What role has technology played in forestry concerning local communities that rely on the industry for jobs?  How have historic racial and class distinctions influenced the distribution of wealth in many southeastern communities that depend on forestry for their livelihood?

9.  What do Bliss and Bailey mean on p. 154 when they say that reliance on any single industry encourages dependency rather than development?  Why is it bad to rely on one industry for economic and social well-being?

Brockerhoff et al. (2008).  Plantation Forests and biodiversity:  oxymoron or opportunity?

1. Brockerhoff describes New Zealand�s management strategy of separately designating plantation forests for production and native forests for conservation and recreation.  In what ways is this a better forest management idea than promoting use and conservation on the same piece of land?  How does this idea fit into William Cronon�s ideas about the relationship between humans and nature?
    

2. What is afforestation?  One what types of land does Brockerhoff suggest this tactic?  Where does he suggest using caution?  Why?
    

3. Describe the term �lesser evil� in its application to plantation forestry.  How do foresters and environmentalists view plantation forests differently?  When, if ever, is agricultural land preferred over plantation forests?
    

4. Why might biodiversity be less of a concern in developing countries?  How can managers balance the need for forest production, forest conservation, and maintenance of social justice?
    

5. Why should biologists consider forest management on a landscape scale?  What might this broad approach mean for biodiversity, conservation, and harvest?

Bryant 1995:  Environmental Justice - Issues, Policies, and Solutions

1.  How are the issues of race, poverty, and environmental degradation related?
 
2.  What are the issues facing societies that grow and develop and utilize greater and greater amounts of natural resources? (see p.3)  

3.  Why might society care about the racial and economic aspects of natural resource issues?  

4.  What does environmental justice mean? Why did this term replace the term �environmental equity?� What issues does environmental justice encompass? How do we know when it has been achieved?

5.  Based on the experiences described by Bryant, what tactics/approaches can be used to resolve issues of environmental justice? Are there others which may be effective?

Burton and Ruppert 2002: "Rising to Heaven or Risen from Hell?"  (From In Worship and Wilderness: Culture, Religion and Law in Public Lands Management.)

1.     What was the issue described in this reading and who were the major stakeholders?

2.    Park Service management anticipated the volatile nature of any decision they might make to manage rock climbing activities at Devil�s Tower.  How did they manage this planning process as compared to the usual planning process?  What was the outcome for the stakeholders and the National Park Service as a result of this more inclusive procedure?

3.     Why did tribal elders want the moratorium to be voluntary?

4.     What are the major legal issues at stake in this conflict?

5.     What environmental, socio-economic and policy issues are highlighted in this case study? 

6.     How is this case study related to themes and ideas we have discussed in class?

7.     What was the final resolution of this case in the year 2000?

Cronon 1998:  The Trouble With Wilderness

1.     Cronon provides a provocative critique of our uniquely American concept of �wilderness�.  Name three of the �troubles� he finds in our cultural construction of wilderness.  Do you agree or disagree with his criticisms?  Support your opinion with one or two specific, real-world examples.

2.     Despite these criticisms, Cronon also acknowledges the importance of conserving wild places.  According to the author, what are two of the benefits of wilderness?  In your opinion, are these benefits as important today as they were when our concept of wilderness was first formed?  Why or why not?
 

Daily (1997) and Daily and Ellison (2002) - "Nature's Services" and "The New Economy of Nature"

1. What trends may cast doubt on society�s goal that �each successive generation will have greater prosperity?�
    

2. What are some possible trade-offs between individual and societal interests, activities, and ideals? 
    

3. How do Daily�s views on human impacts on the natural environment differ from Speth�s views?  Does she take a more hopeful or a more dismal outlook? 
    

4. Daily suggests it is difficult to categorize which of earth�s species are important enough to accompany a person on a hypothetical trip to the moon.  Is it possible to determine which types and numbers of species are required to perform the essential ecosystem services we rely on?   Which species would you take to the moon? 
    
5. Daily suggests humans depend completely on the continuation of natural cycles and ecosystem services to survive and that society lacks the knowledge and the ability to substitute for these functions.  Do you agree?  Can you think of any situations where human technology is a satisfactory replacement for these essential services?
    
6. What are some possible reasons for the major decline in bees since the mid 20th century?  How will this decline affect agriculture?  What ecological role do bees play?  How will their decline impact other species and ecological functions?  Can we live without bees?  Can we live without any species?  How do we know?
    
7. What are some of the social, political, economic, and environmental ramifications of using �designer pollinators�?  Would using �designer pollinators� instead of pesticides still constitute organic farming?  Would you consider �designer pollinators� natural?
    
8. Using biological controls and integrated pest management involves a lot of uncertainty because it means introducing new species of insects, fungi, and bacteria to ecosystems to control pests and diseases threatening crops.  How could this potentially backfire?  Could these methods make things worse?  How would these methods affect the �naturalness� of an ecosystem?  Is this better than using pesticides?
    

9. Concepts like farmscaping and using natural controls have been used for thousands of years.  What factors led to such a dramatic and predominant use of pesticides in the U.S. and internationally?  Is it really feasible to feed the current and future world�s population without the use of pesticides and fertilizers?
    

10. At the end of chapter 10, Daily quotes Robert Bugg as saying, � Food in the United States is cheaper than it should be.�  What does Bugg mean by this?  Is this true?  Why could this be bad?  If we all paid more for food, where would the extra money go?  What kind of factors go into determining the price of food?  What values of society does this involve or indicate?

Dickson (2008) - "Drawing a Line"

1.     The project described in this popular magazine article is a good example of stakeholders providing critical input to government agencies and developers that will help all of them to make better management decisions.  What factors do you think contributed to its success and to citizens being willing to participate in and contribute to the project?

2.    Sportsmen are often somewhat secretive about their favorite hunting and fishing spots.  Why do you think they cooperated in this project?

3.    Some of the values expressed in this article are often at odds with each other.  Describe these often conflicting values.  How are Montanans dealing with these conflicting values?

4.    What would you do if asked to participate in a similar project? 

Ecosystem Services Video

1.  What is meant by the term "ecosystem services" or "environmental services?"

2.  How are ecosystem services being used in management and marketing today?

3.  What are the linkages between the food we eat and worms, bacteria, and fungi?  Why should we protect these organisms?  What ecosystem services do they perform?

4.  Many wetlands have been destroyed through draining and/or development.  Why is it important to maintain and/or restore these wetlands?

5.  What ecosystem services do insects perform?  Examples might include bees, dragonflies, wasps, ants, moths, butterflies, beetles

6.  What ecosystem services do predators perform? 

7.  What is our ethical responsibility to maintaining ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them?
 

Edwards 2005:  Chapter 4, pp 77-96: The Sustainability Revolution - Sustainability and Natural Resources

1.  Contrast the American Petroleum Institutes principles with those of the Forest Stewardship Council.  How are they similar?  How are they different?  What has been included vs what has been left out.  What is your opinion about the author's criticism of the omissions?

2.  How does the foundation of an organization as a "non-profit" vs an "industrial for-profit" vs a "non-profit/for profit partnership" affect the organizations mission, operating principles and commitment to social responsibility?

3. What is the precautionary principle?  Why is it important in the marine Stewardship Council's principles and criteria for managing fisheries?

4.  How do the seven "challenges" proposed in the Asilomar Declaration promote sustainable agriculture?  How do the practices differ from industrial farming practices? [Back to top]

Ehrlich and Ehrlich 2008 - Chapter 12:  A New Imperative

1.  What is main premise of this chapter from Ehrlich and Ehlich's "The Dominant Animal"?

2.  What are some examples of how humans have changed ecosystems around the globe?  Why should we care or be concerned about these changes?

3.  How do land-use changes affect aquatic systems?  How do these ideas and linkages apply to agricultural systems?

4.   How is the use of fossil fuels related to land-use change and many of the agricultural systems that are in place in today's world?

5.  What is the difference between "common pool resources" and "public goods"?

6.  What do the authors mean by the "homogenization of nature"?  Why should we care about such changes?

7.  What is meant by an "ecological footprint"?   What does the term "overshoot" mean?

8.  How is this chapter related to the reading by Hardin?  [Back to top]

Giono (1954): "The Man Who Planted Trees"

1.  What is this story about?  Is the story true or is it a fable?  Does the answer to that question matter when considering the intended meaning of the story?

2.  What do you think the author�s intent was in writing this story?  Did he succeed?  What evidence do you have for your answer?

3.  Is the narrator an unbiased observer in this story?  What is his point of view?

4.  Why do you think the author selected a name for the shepherd that sounds somewhat biblical?

5.  How do the intersecting realms of environment, socio-economics and policy/law come into play in this story? 

6.  What lessons can be taken from this story?  How can you apply them in your own life?  [Back to top]

Goulder and Kennedy 1997: "Valuing ecosystem services..."

1. Understand: anthropocentric and biocentric viewpoints; direct use values including consumptive and non-consumptive; indirect use values; non-use values including existence, option, and intrinsic values.
    

2. What are possible ecological criticisms of a benefit cost analysis?
    

3. Give examples of environmental services and explain how they are often positive externalities.
    

4. What are the four ways listed that we might assign value to a species? [Back to top]

Greider and Garkovich:  �Landscapes: The Social Construction of Nature and the Environment,�

Greider and Garkovich argue that, �Landscapes are the symbolic environments created by human acts of conferring meaning to nature and the environment, of giving the environment definition and form from a particular angle of vision and through a special filter of values and beliefs.�  

1.  Think of one area or specific piece of land that has multiple symbolic meanings (apart from disagreements about the physical characteristics of the land).  What are some of the cultural symbols that are used to define the landscape you have chosen?  In what ways are self-definitions embodied in this landscape?  What values or beliefs are represented in these differing landscapes?

 2.  The landscape framework presented by Greider and Garkovich provides a tool for understanding the potential social and cultural impacts of development projects and/or environmental change.  What are two types of situations in which the authors feel this framework is useful to decision makers.  Do you agree or disagree?  Why?  [Back to top]

Haider and Morford 2004: The Relevance of Social Science to the Management of Natural Resources in British Columbia
1.  Identify and understand the ten contributions social science makes to natural resource management.

2.  Be able to discuss how at least two of them could be used in a resource management issue that is important to you.

3.  Do you think the arguments would change if Haider and Morford were writing about resource management in the U.S.?  Why or why not?   If the arguments would be different, how would they change to be more specific to the U.S.? [Back to top]
 

Hardin, Garrett 1968: Tragedy of the Commons
1. Define what a "commons" is.  What is the tragedy of the commons and why does it happen?

2. Discuss what economic belief drives the 'tragedy' in the tragedy of the commons.

3. What is Adam Smith's invisible hand?

4. What is the underlying issue that Hardin is addressing in this article?  How do you feel about his analysis and his argument?  Do you agree that there is a problem?  What do you think should be done?    [Back to top]

Harper, Charles L.  2004:  Environment and Society - pp 274-304
1.  What is meant by the notion of sustainability?  What is a sustainable society? 

2.  What are the three Es one needs to which we must attend that support sustainable societies?

3.  What is the I=PAT model and what is it used for?  What are some of the research findings based on the IPAT model?

4.  What are the relationships between affluence, poverty and environmental impacts?

5.  Contrast the cornucopian and the overshoot models of society's future.  Who subscribes to each of these models?

6.  What is meant by "voluntary simplicity" and "sustainable consumption?"

7.  What does Harper say about the relationship between affluence and happiness?  Do you agree?  What is your personal experience of this relationship?  Do you think your experience is unique, similar to others, or generally more universal?

8.  What is the precautionary principle?  Where have you seen this notion before?  Why is it important to re-visit this idea toward the end of the semester?   [Back to top]

Hull, R. Bruce (2000).  Moving Beyond the Romantic Biases in Natural Areas Recreation

1.     What factors led to a Romantic ideal of nature in America around the 1800�s?  Who were some influential leaders in popularizing this view?  How does the Romantic ideal regard the relationship between humans and nature?
 

2.     How do the ROS, LAC, and LNT emphasize the Romantic ideal of nature?  Why could this be a bad thing for managers?
 

3.     What is wrong with managing natural resources based on past conditions?  Is nature dynamic or static?  What does the answer to this question imply for management?
 

4.     What does Hull mean by building an appreciation and respect for our relationship with all kinds of nature?
 

5.     Why is the Romantic ideal not suitable to compete with wise use and progressive conservation arguments?
 

6.     Why does Hull argue that people should be encouraged to experience nature more through things like participating in restoration activities or having to do trail work or campsite restoration instead of just paying for the ability to access and recreate on public lands?
 

7.     What are some issues related to the growing number and diversity of visitors to natural areas?  How can conflict on public lands be managed so that everyone gets something?  Who determines the best use for public lands and which groups should be allowed which types of access or activities? [Back to Top]

Johnson, Janis 2002:  Saving the Salmon, Saving the People
1.  How have Northwest tribes been negatively affected by decreasing salmon returns?

2.  How does the concept of environmental justice (or injustice) apply to the Snake River Dam removal controversy?

3.  What characteristics increase the likelihood of a community bearing the brunt of environmental injustices?   [Back to top]

Kellert, S.R. 1996.  "The Value of Life", Chapter 3

1.     What social and cultural forces contribute to the formation of values?  Why are they difficult to change?

2.     Why does Kellert say that there is a problem with economic assessments of values?  What types of values do not lend themselves easily to economic assessments?  Do you think these types of values are important?  If so, why? If not, why?

3.     On which types of values do Americans tend to score the highest?  How does Kellert explain these tendencies?

4.     Look at the graph on page 43.  What does this graph show?  What explanation does Kellert offer for this trend?  Do you agree with his assessment?  If not, what do you think explains the trend?  How might this graph look if only Idahoans were included in the study?

5.     How does Kellert associate his assessment of values with disagreements about natural resource management? 

6.    Kellert�s book was published in 1996.  When he conducted his studies, most Americans had never heard of the concept of biological diversity.  How do you think the results of such a study might be different if it were conducted today?  Why?

7.     What did Kellert�s research reveal as important factors that differentiate groups in American society?  How do the groups tend to differ?  Does your experience tend to align with Kellert�s research results?  How so?

8.     Why is it important to understand that we value natural resources in different ways and that groups differ in how they value natural resources?  [Back to Top]

Lackey, R.T.  2008.  Salmon in Western North America:  Assessing the Future

1.     What was the main goal of the Salmon 2100 Project?  Who was involved?  What were they asked to do? 

2.     What are some direct causes of the dramatic decline in salmon populations in the northwest?  What role have policies played in this decline?  What do policy choices suggest about society�s overall priorities? 

3.     What are some of the characteristics of the salmon recovery policy debate?  Every participant of the Salmon 2100 Project concluded that salmon recovery could be accomplished, but most also concluded that recovery efforts have a low probability of success?  Why would there be a low probability of success?   

4.     What are some of the benefits and potential drawbacks of using salmon raised in hatcheries to supplement the wild population?  How could technology play a role in improving salmon habitat?  What is an inherent problem with creating a �Wild Salmon National Park� or only focusing restoration efforts on certain watersheds? 

5.     How has government bureaucracy affected salmon recovery?  What are some examples of institutional incompetence?  Who should have leadership roles in these efforts and what approaches should they take? 

6.     What does �domesticating� the policy issue mean?  What are some common forms of domestication?  Which current political realities need to be addressed in order to reverse long term declines in salmon populations? 

7.     What role do attitudes, beliefs, and values play in this issue?  Can these be changed and if so, how?

Land Trusts, Conservation Easements and Public/Private Partnerships - Eric Pfeifer lecture and readings

1. Describe what a land trust is and how conservation easements are used.
    
2. What are some of the advantages and limitations of land trusts?
    
3. What are the usual mechanisms for private land conservation and restoration? How do the tools and advantages of land trusts compare to them? 
    
4. What makes the Oregon Plan unique? What are some of its defining characteristics?
    
5. Why was the Oregon Plan created?
    
6. Can the Oregon Plan be effective in achieving its goals? Why or why not?
    
7. Do the organizations and processes described in these plans hold any promise as significant resources for private land conservation and stewardship? Is that promise being fully realized?  Why or why not?  How can it be? [Back to top]

Lauber and Knuth 1999:  Measuring Fairness in Citizen Participation
1)     According to the article, what is an important factor in involving the public in natural resource decisions? Why? 

2)     How can perceived fairness be measured?  

3)     What are some techniques identified to ensure the perception of fairness in a decision-making process as well as the final decision itself?

4)     Can these techniques be applied to other natural resource issues? What are some examples? How might they be applied?

5)     Are there other ways to ensure the public feels satisfied with the perceived fairness of a decision process and its outcome? [Back to top]
 

Leopold, Aldo 1949:  The Land Ethic (from Sand County Almanac)

1.  What are ethics according to Leopold, and in particular, what is a land ethic? How does a land ethic involve an evolution? Identify the social and philosophical characteristics, as Leopold defines them. Are these presuppositions valid, accurate, or relevant?

2.  What, according to Leopold, is the relationship of economic values/concerns to conservation and a land ethic? Are they contradictory, or merely not enough?  What is ultimately needed with regard to ethics and land management?

 3. Why, to Leopold, was it not enough to allow landowners to write their own rules for soil conservation? Can the same be said today? How might this approach be adopted and/or modified?

 4. Describe Leopold�s conception of government in relation to conservation and the land ethic. What, to Leopold, are the possibilities and limitations of government? Of private landowners? What, to Leopold, might be the best role for government in conservation and land management? What would be the necessary roles for private landowners, and how might this play out on the ground in terms of regulations and practices?

 5. Leopold identifies �cleavages� in various management fields, forestry and wildlife management in particular. Do these schisms exist today? Are they relevant? How do they play out in management decisions, and what is most appropriate? Is there a possibility for reconciliation between these approaches, while still adhering to Leopold�s land ethic? How so, or why not?

6.  Why was the land ethic so important in American history?   [Back to top]

Link et al. 2003:  Chapters 19 and 24 in Water Resources of North America
1.  What is the difference between "consumptive" and "non-consumptive" use of water?  Why is it important to make this distinction?

2.  Why do the authors analyze the volume and types of water withdrawals by region of the country and by economic sector?

3.  What are the important differences between historic trends in freshwater withdrawals vs. projected withdrawals?

4.  Populations are projected to increase by 2040 in all regions of the country.  Do the trends in irrigated acres follow the population trends?  Where do they and where don't they follow population?  What explanations can you think of that explain the differences?

5.  What industries contribute the highest percentages of toxic releases into the environment?

6.  What are the leading sources of water quality impairment due to human activities?  Are they the same for rivers versus lakes versus estuaries?  Why?  Why not? [Back to top]

Louv, Richard (2006).  Cities Gone Wild.  From: Last Child in the Woods.  Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, NC.  p 239-264

1. What are the reasons or arguments that Louv provides that support the need for green urbanism or creating a zoopolis?
    

2. How has the green urbanism movement evolved over time and what form is it taking in the United States and worldwide?
    

3. How does Louv relate childhood and child care into the world of green urbanisms?
    

4. Louv uses the phrase �respect the natural integrity of place� in his description of future development. What does he mean by this and how would we know/what indicators would there be if a place is being respected?  [Back to top]

Mann, C.C. 2002.  1491

1. If you were to summarize in one sentence, what would you say is the center of Mann�s thesis in this article?  How does this thesis apply to the ideas and historical information we�ve discussed in FOR/CSS 235?
    

2. How does the picture of Native American life that has been taught in American schools for many years differ from the view that Mann presents as a possibility in this article?
    

3. What does Mann mean by �The Pristine Myth�?  What does �pristine� imply? 
    

4. What evidence does Mann review that there were millions more Native Americans in North and South America than has been estimated by traditional historians? 
    

5. What evidence does Mann review indicating that Native Americans had a powerful influence on landscapes long before Columbus arrived in the Americas?  If this thesis is true, what questions does it raise for natural resource managers?  Why is this important?
    

6. Why do you think the seven anthropologists, archaeologists and historians that Mann interviewed said they would rather have been a typical Indian than a typical European in 1491?  What were the differences in culture, landscape and lifestyles?
    

7. In what ways did Native Americans use fire to manage landscapes?
    

8. People are very concerned about the rapid loss of tropical rainforest habitats.  What does Mann have to say about the species composition of these forests?  Should that make people less worried about the losses?  Why or why not?
    

9. What is a �keystone species�?  What does Mann mean when he says humankind is a �keystone species� everywhere? Why does he say that Native Americans played that role in American ecosystems?
    

10. How does Mann explain the huge herds of bison, elk and mule deer and tremendous flocks of passenger pigeons in the Americas by the 1800s?
     

11. What is the paradox for mainstream environmentalists of the theories and findings described by Mann in this paper?  What would the �world�s largest garden� look like?  What do you think about these arguments and their implications?  What do you think resource managers should do? [Back to Top]

Mason and Michaels 2001: �Sentimental ecology, science and sustainable ecosystem management�
1.  Mason and Michaels present the issue of wolf reintroduction in the Adirondacks to explore the complexities of management when the views of various stakeholders differ on a particular issue.  What is a �stakeholder� and why do public agencies take their views into consideration in making management decisions? 

2.  Can you think of two reasons why public sentiment should or should not be involved in deciding whether or not to reintroduce wolves into a Park?  What is the role of science in this debate?

3.  Mason and Michael�s argue that the concept of �sustainable ecological management� can be very difficult to put into practice on the ground because of the roles of politics, advocacy groups and stakeholders, among other factors, in influencing the outcomes of natural resource issues. What is your opinion about the usefulness of the concepts of ecosystem management and sustainable ecological management in these complex situations?  Why?

 [Back to top]

McKibben 2007:  "Deep Economy - The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future"
1.  Discuss the pros and cons of Yale economist William Nordhaus' analysis and recommendations on how much money we should be willing to spend to deal with the issue of global warming.

2.  Why does McKibben explore the idea that wealth and happiness are related to each other?  What have researchers concluded about the relationship?  Is the relationship linear?  If not, what is the pattern they have found?

3.  We have talked before about Adam Smith's idea of "the invisible hand" in market economics.  Discuss McKibben's response to Adam's Smith's ideas.  What do you think about these alternative views?

4.  What does the term "cultural lag" mean?   How does McKibben apply it in this reading?

5.  How does McKibben's philosophy relate to natural resources?  What is the tie-in to happiness?  What do you associate with happiness?  How do you respond to McKibben's analysis and argument?

6.  What are the ties between McKibben's opening remarks about William Nordhaus' analysis of global warming, and happiness and wealth?  Related to these ideas, what limits and opportunities do you see for yourself in living a good life?  [Back to top]

Meffe et al. 2002:  "Getting a Grip on Ecosystem Management"
1.  Consider a high-profile local or national natural resource management issue which you are familiar or have an interest in: are there aspects of it that fit in the traditional command-and-control management model, and are there aspects that fit in the ecosystem management approach? Which might be more effective, or easier to accomplish? Which are more accepted by society?
 

2.  What are some examples (not cited in the article) that have had negative consequences on ecosystems and human use of those systems?
 

3.  One example of a pathology of natural resource management might be controlling a river through dams, dikes, etc. Is this a good example? Why or why not? What are the �three components� of this pathology example?
 

4.  How can the pathology be broken? What facets of an ecosystem management approach are intended to accomplish this?
 

5.  What is the primary need identified in the article? What is the rule identified which might be used to serve this need? How does ecosystem management incorporate this rule? Finally, how should institutions function to implement this rule and ecosystem management? (what are the characteristics of these institutions). Are we there yet? If not, are we moving in that direction? Why or why not? How can we? Think of some examples. [Back to top]

Miller 1994: Worldviews, ethics, and sustainability
1. What are the different ethical standpoints discussed by Miller?  How is "man" positioned in the basic duality he presents?

2.  Be able to compare and contrast the different environmental ethics mentioned in the chapter.

3. what do you think of the recommendations Miller makes for becoming a more sustainable society?  Which are useable and which do you think are unworkable or even absurd? Justify your position.

4. Miller is clearly an advocate for a particular point of view.  What do you think is the role of a scientist in advocating a particular paradigm? [Back to top]

Morford et al. (2003)
1.  How do Morford et al. describe a stakeholder?

2.  What do they claim is at the root of many conflicts in natural resource management?

3.  Identify and describe the conflict involved in a current natural resource issue.  Who are the stakeholders?  What does each stakeholder want and in what ways and why aren�t their needs being met?

4.  How are cosmology and worldview similar? Different? How is a worldview similar to a paradigm?

5.  How did people in each of the four eras view the natural environment?

6.  Describe a local issue that, has at its core, different worldviews.

7.  Describe a current natural resource conflict that may be based on terminology.

8.  What are the cultural assumptions of the word �stewardship�?

9.  What are some other terms not mentioned in the article that might be misunderstood, interpreted differently, or are value laden?

10.  What jargon do natural resource people use that may hinder understanding and cooperation of various stakeholders?
[Back to top]

Nash, R.: The American cult of the primitive.
1.  Why were American�s so enamored with wilderness at the turn and beginning of the century? 

2.  What key aspects of American life did wilderness and wildness represent? 

3.  Why was it so defining for us as a nation? What evidence was there for this thesis?

4.  In what ways do you see this theme playing out in U.S. culture today?

5.  What are your own experiences with wilderness?  What does wilderness mean to you?  How have your experiences re-shaped your understanding of wilderness?  [Back to top]

Norris (2004):  "Only 30:  A Portrait of the Endangered Species Act as a Young Law"
1.  When the Endangered Species Act was barely 30 years old, a conference was convened in Santa Barbara California in an attempt to understand the intended and unintended consequences of the legislation. What major shortcomings of the ESA were identified by the conference participants?

2.  What historic concept was introduced in the ESA and what underlying societal value did it express?

3. Once entered on the Endangered Species List, few species have been delisted on grounds of "recovery."  Why?

4.  Norris states that the "strongest protections the ESA offers are its prohibitions on federal actions that may jeopardize a species or its habitat."  In other words, the ESA ensures "institutionalized conservation considerations in federal agencies."   What does this mean and how well does it work? 

5.  Discuss the challenges to and creative solutions being attempted for species conservation on private lands.

6.  Discuss the suggestion by the participants at the conference that state agencies need to take a more active role in conserving habitats.

7.  Wolves have recently been de-listed as an endangered species in Idaho.  Why has this issue been so contentious even though the wolf population has increased dramatically since they were re-introduced?
 

Oreskes, N. (2004).  Beyond the Ivory Tower: The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change
1.  What specificially is the argument that Oreskes is making?  In what ways does the argument leave room for further discussion?  What about modification of the conclusions?  How does she acknowledge uncertainty in the article? 

2.  In what ways does the climate change story illustrate the issues described in the Ehrlich and Ehrlich and Hardin papers that we read at the beginning of the semester?  [Back to top]

Orr, David (2008).  Some Like It Hot...Lots of Others Don't - The Changing Climate of U.S. Politics"
1.  Orr indicates that any solutions that are attempted for dealing with global climate change should be "smarter" solutions.  What does he mean by "smarter solutions"?  According to Orr, what criteria would/should be used to judge whether or not a solution is a "smart" one?

2.  Orr discusses several alternatives that are usually offered to replace fossil fuels as sources of energy.  What are the pros and cons of using these alternative sources of energy in terms of ecology/environment, socio-economic consequences and political/legal dynamics?

3.  What actions does Orr suggest to begin the transition to a more efficient energy economy?  What do you think about those actions and your willingness to adopt them?  What about your friends and family?

4.  Orr give 13 reasons for increasing efficiency in our use of fossil fuels.  What are the advantages of increasing efficiency of their use?

5.  Orr states that the U.S. is an "energy rich" country, but he's not referring to fossil fuels.  What does he mean by this statement?

6.  Orr suggests that this generation has the potential for a new "Great Work."  What does he think can/should be accomplished in this great work?

7.  How do Orr's ideas relate to other concepts and information we've discussed previously in the semester, like the Human Predicament, Tragedy of the Commons, Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Living? [Back to top]
 

Ostrom et al.  1999.  Revisiting the Commons:  Local lessons, Global Challenges.  Science 284:278-282
1.  Under what conditions can self-organized groups avoid the pitfalls of the tragedy of the commons?

2.  What are the challenges to establishing institutions to manage international or global resources?

3.  What were some of the limitations or pitfalls of Hardin's original analysis?

4.  What personal experiences have you had in which you were able to avoid the pitfalls of the commons?  Why do you think you were successful? [Back to top]
 

Peterson and Horton 1995:  Rooted in the Soil: How Understanding the Perspectives of Landowners Can Enhance the Management of Environmental Disputes

Pollan, Michael 2006.  The Plant.  From The Omnivore's Dilemma
1.  Because the variety of choices available in supermarkets seems to be increasing, Pollan was surprised to find so many foods (and other non-food products) whose ingredients could be traced back to corn.  Were you surprised at this revelation?  What do you think about it?  What are the likely economic consequences of these production relationships?

2.  What was Pollan's purpose in writing this chapter?  What are his primary messages?

3.  What do you think of our dependence on a single crop for so many different products?  Should we diversify?  What would be the economic and social consequences of such a change?

Power 2001:  Stories about Livelihoods: Cultural Inertia and Conceptual Confusion in a Transitional Economy.  In: "The Great Northwest:  The Search for Regional Identity."    pp. 80-93.

1. What are some resource industries and services that Powers discusses that can be found here in Idaho?
    
2. What is the central argument that Powers makes, with regard to traditional resource industries and other sectors of the economy?

a.  What are some examples he cites to support this argument?  Can similar examples be found in Idaho or your home state? What communities would they be?

b. What is the alternative environmental perspective that he offers?

c.  What does this vision suggest as important, as the West grows and changes? In what ways is this relevant to Idaho or your home state? 

d.  What is the traditional conception of economic growth and vitality, and how does it relate to Pinchot�s utilitarianism?

3. Do you think Power is right? Should we be worried about the decline of local resource industries? Should we look to the service sector and environmental quality as the source of future economic health?
    
4. Are resource industries economically important? Why or why not? Are they important in other ways?
    
5. What is an example of why an alternative economic perspective is relevant to a career in natural resource management?

   a.  Decline of logging
   b.     Real estate development
   c.     Fisheries impacts from industry and resource use [Back to top]

Reisner 1993:  Cadillac Desert - Chapter 4
1.  Why is the Colorado River known as a "deficit" river?

2.  How is the Colorado River's tendency to carry heavy loads of silt related to its trajectory across the landscape?

3.  How was the growth of Los Angeles related to the history of the Colorado River?

4.  Why does Reisner go into such great detail about climatic variation in the Western United States?  How is topography related to this variation?

5.  Why is it important to understand the poor economic returns on the crops grown in the upper Colorado Basin?  How did these crops fit into the Bureau of Reclamation's justifications for their the very expensive dams and other irrigation projects? 

6.  What was meant by "river-basin accounting?"  How does it figure into the story Reisner tells about the Colorado River?

7.  Personality plays a role in the story of the Colorado.  Who was Mike Straus and what role did he play in the Colorado Rivers projects?

8.  What do you think the outcome would be if the Bureau were to propose equivalent projects in today's world?  Reisner says conservationists didn't count for much back then.  Would that be true today?  Why? Why not?

9.  What relevance does this reading have to water distribution in today's western North America? [Back to top]
 

Rikoon (2006) - Wild horses and the political ecology of nature restoration in the Missouri Ozarks

1. Rikoon explains how the NPSs concept of �exotic species� stems from the 1963 Leopold Report which suggests �biotic associations within each park be maintained, or where necessary recreated, as nearly as possible in the condition that prevailed when the area was first visited by the �white man.�� Are there any problems with this recommendation for management?  Which biotic associations should the landscape include according to the Leopold Report�s guidelines?
    

2. The NPS suggests a lack of education is standing in the way of people�s acceptance of NPS decisions.  Does this seem plausible or is the NPS viewpoint too narrow?  Should a non-native species ever be protected?  Is this idea of educating the public about natural resource issues grounded in other readings we�ve examined?
    

3. The NPS considers the landscape as an object to be �wildernized� and therefore removed from any connection to human culture.  Do you agree with this view?  Does it hold up historically?  Is there a way for management to take into account cultural significance and biological integrity of species?
    

4. The National Park Service maintained that horses are not part of the natural ecosystem and therefore should be removed.  Are the horses �natural?� Are they �wild?�  If you were a manager involved in the issue, what stance would you take? 
    

5. Resolutions of environmental conflicts generally require establishing which stakeholder�s construction of the environment should be protected.  What are some current natural resource issues that involve debates between the government and other stakeholders?  Whose visions of the landscape should prevail?  Must there always be polarized views?  [Back to top]

Shifley 2006:  Sustainable Forestry in the Balance
1.  The volume of U.S. timber has increased steadily over the last 50 years from 616 to 856 billion cu ft and yet Shifley considers our current pattern of wood use unsustainable and possibly even unethical.  Why?  Do you agree with his analysis?  Why or why not?

2.  How does Shifley define sustainability with regard to forested ecosystems?  Do you find this definition adequate?  If so, how so?  If not, how would you improve on this definition and for what reasons?

3.  What are the major reasons Shifley articulates for continuing to use wood?  What are his reasons for discouraging the U.S. from being a net importer of wood and wood products?

4.  Shifley looks at sustainable forestry from a variety of scales and complexities.  How does sustainability compare at the different scales?  Does the "balance sheet" have to come out even on every acre?  In every local forest?  At what scale does Shifley ultimately want the balance to shift?
 

Speth 2008:  The Bridge to the Edge of the World, Chapter 1, p 17- 36

1.  Considering the impact of the environmental movement of the 1960�s and 1970�s on policy and legislation regarding environmental quality and health (i.e. The Clean Air Act, Environmental Protection Agency, Endangered Species Act�), and the social change associated with these movements (changes in perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors), why are so many ecosystems still largely degraded?  What factors have influenced the environmental situations that we face today?

2.   How can we be agents of change both individually and socially?

3.  What role should the government play in this situation?  Is there a point that the government needs to step in and forcefully make change happen?  Do you think there should be a single international entity or organization that oversees the condition of the environment worldwide and society�s impact to its functions and health?

4.  What reactions did you have to the charts at the beginning of the Introduction and to the figures Speth gives in terms of environmental deterioration (loss of species, land conversion, effects to natural processes�)?  Do you think there is a point when it is too late to reverse damage to the environment?

5.  How will capitalist motivations play a role in shaping policy and social attitudes and behaviors towards efforts to reduce, and reverse, our impacts to the environment?  What other types of motivations could or should be employed to initiate long term and effective changes?

6.  Chapter one includes several quotes from NASA climate scientist James Hansen who mentions a planetary �tipping point� several times.  What does he mean by this and why is it so important?

7.  MIT Professor Stephen Meyer suggests that within the next century, the planet will see a large shift in biodiversity as human activities continue to set the �broad path for biological evolution for the next several million years.�  Which species might continue to thrive with an increased human presence?  Which species might be at a high risk for extinction?  Why should we seek to preserve ecosystem biodiversity at all?
 

8.  What does Myer mean by the term �functionally disappear� in the following statement?  �Over the next 100 years or so, as many as half of the earth�s species will functionally if not completely disappear.�
 

9.  Chapter one describes several effects humans have had on the planet�s natural resources including, to name a few, overharvest of fisheries, pollution, and wetland degradation.  Can you think of some policies currently in place that seek to combat these effects?  Are they working?  If not, what might be done to improve these policies and make them more effective?
 

10. Which effects of global climate change are most likely to affect us locally?  What is one experience you�ve had in which you�ve noticed the effects of global climate change?  Which effects do you see being the biggest threat to our way of life in the U.S. in the next 10 years?  50 years?  100 years?

[Back to Top]

 

Speth 2008 - Chapter 4 - A Bridge To The Edge Of The World 

1.  Speth suggests government intervention in the capitalist system is often more harmful than beneficial.  He says governments often intervene in the wrong way by creating bad subsidies that distort prices.  What are some examples of government subsidies?  Is there a way to amend these so they are more beneficial to the environment?

 

2.  Do you think taxing companies for the environmental harm they do, such as polluting air or water, is an effective approach?  Why or why not?

 

3.  Speth mentions �the tragedy of the commons� in relation to management of natural resources.  Are the views of environmental economists regarding avoiding overuse similar or different to Garret Hardin, who wrote �The Tragedy of the Commons?� 

 

4.  What are laissez-faire economics?  Is this approach effective in limiting environmental damage? 

 

5.  Speth suggests we should have listened to economists back in the 1970s who pushed for economic incentives and market-based mechanisms for regulating the capitalist system.  Why does he say this?  Would incorporating environmental objectives into business planning have helped us avoid some of the resource overuse issues we now face? 

 

6.  Why might a cost-benefit analysis not be a good approach to addressing environmental impacts?  What are the difficulties involved with this approach?
 

7.  Who should oversee any extra money gained by making environmentally destructive practices more expensive?  What should be done with this money?  Is it feasible that this money would be used for sustainability purposes even in a time of economic crisis and pressing needs like health care, war, and a growing national debt?

8.  Speth says that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a poor measure of national welfare.  What should be included to make it better?

9.  How could privatization help protect natural resources from destructive practices?  How could privatization have negative effects on the environment?

10.Commodification means giving something market value that hasn�t had it previously.  What does Speth suggest that this might do for our relationships with natural resources?  Does commodification imply that we are superior to or can control natural resources?  How much do we actually see ourselves as part of the environment or ecological systems or the �land�?

Sutton 1999:  Does the World Need Planted Forests?
1.  Sutton discusses global wood use by poorer vs wealthier countries.  How is wood used partitioned differently in poorer countries compared to wealthier countries?

2.  What does Sutton say about global per capita wood use compared to total global wood use?

3.  One of Sutton's primary arguments for the use of wood is comparisons with substitutes in the amount of fossil fuels used to produce them.  How does wood compare with these substitutes for use of fossil fuels?  Production of carbon dioxide?  Recycling of carbon dioxide?  Sequestering of carbon dioxide?

4.  What are some of the other arguments Sutton makes for the advantages of using wood compared to substitutes?

5.  Sutton's argument hinges partly on continued global increases in population and partly on elevating living standards. What is the projected global population size in the year 2050?  According to Sutton, can the world's natural forests supply the demand for wood and wood products now and/or in the future?  What is his proposed solution?

6.  What are the advantages of planted forests as presented by Sutton?  Do you agree (or not) with each of his points?  If not, what are counterarguments?  If so, what are the supporting arguments?

7.  What are some of the environmental concerns that have been expressed about planted forests?  Are they valid?  What arguments does Sutton offer to neutralize the environmental concerns?

8.  How can planted forests contribute to protection of biodiversity while still being managed for wood production?  Must all planted forests be managed exclusively for wood production?

9.  Sutton uses the term "environmentally friendly wood."  What does he mean by this?  What do you think of his arguments? [Back to top]

Turner 2006:  Conservation Science and Forest Service Policy for Roadless Areas...and Lecture by Lorelei Haukness
1.  Compare and contrast the three roadless area review processes described by Turner.  Specifically, how did public involvement, public sentiment, the use of science, and criteria for evaluation change through time?

2.  There has been a considerable amount of public involvement in Roadless Area review processes.  What types of involvement and what might be the benefits and drawbacks of these different types of involvement?

3.  What does Turner argue is necessary for long-term roadless area conservation?  Why?

Van Driesche and Van Driesche (2000).  After All the Sheep Have Gone
1.  Why did the Nature Conservancy go to so much effort to restore the native ecosystems on Santa Cruz Island?

2.  What solution did they adopt?  What wree the interim and net effects of their strategies?

3.  How were the pig and sheep and cattle populations related to each other?

4.  Explain:  "Fixing an ecosystem is not at all like fixing a clock."

5.  Why was the monitoring program important in the process of this restoration project?

6.  What did you learn about invasive species and about restoration of ecosystems from this chapter? [Back to top]

White, Mel (2008).  Borneo's Moment of Truth

1.     What is meant by biodiversity?  What does it mean to say the Borneo has one of the highest amounts of biodiversity in the world?  Why do we want to protect biodiversity?  What does it do for us as individuals and as a  society?

2.     What specific methods or patterns of growing oil palm plantations have resulted in the loss of biodiversity?  Why do locals grow oil palm plantations?

3.     Why has setting forests aside as protected areas or parks or reserves not been an effective approach in Borneo?  Who is managing the managers or overseeing the officials?

4.     Why does removing trees in Borneo result in high increases of carbon released into the atmosphere?  What is the significance of peat soil?

5.     Which industries have benefited from the destruction of forests in Borneo?  Which countries are responsible for this?

6.     What is ultimately driving the deforestation?  Why does White say that the forests have to earn money somehow?Why haven�t locals focused more on long term sustainable solutions to proper land or forest management?  Why would protecting forests involve providing locals with better health, better education, and better economic conditions?  What is meant by the phrase, �It�s all about money.  Money, money, money�?

7.     Is it reasonable for other countries to be concerned about the Borneo environment?  Is it ethical to demand products from Borneo, such as oil from oil palms and tropical hardwood timber, yet tell locals of Borneo that they need to manage their forests better?  Why is this an international issue?

8.     What are some alternatives to complete forest clearing for farming?  How else could Borneo take advantage of its natural resources, but in a sustainable way, and still allow locals to earn an income?  How should locals be involved in the management process?  Who should be �in charge� of managing the forests in Borneo? 

 

Edwards 2005:  Chapter 7: The Sustainability Revolution - Future Pathways
1.  Edwards notes that sustainability principles are being adopted relatively quickly in the forestry, energy and environmental design and wine producing industries.  What rationales does he offer as possible explanations of these industries' movement toward sustainability?

2.  What are the common themes that Edwards identifies in the key values expressed by organizations responsible for sustainability principles?  How do these principles relate to other topics we have discussed this semester, such as ecosystem management, resilience, economics, tragedy of the commons, population growth, and technology?

3.  Edwards presents examples at different scales of operation to illustrate his point that there are "hopeful signs" that sustainability principles represent viable alternatives to traditional management and can actually be implemented.  What are these examples and how do they illustrate his points?  Why was it important that Edwards presents examples on different scales?

4.  According to Edwards, Worldwatch Institute has identified 7 critical trends that are contributing to the decline of world ecosystems.  What are these trends?  Which two need to be stabilized in order to make progress on the other fronts?  How will this be done?  Do we have the technology to reverse current trends? 

5.   What are some tools and strategies that can help humanity establish more sustainable societies?  Is big government necessarily involved in implementing such tools and strategies?   What is the role of the individual, the professional, and groups such as communities in making positive change? [Back to top]

Hanna & Jentoft: Human Use of the Natural Environment
1. How did the authors draw a distinction between western and eastern views of the human-nature relationship? 

2. What points did the authors make when speaking of the difference between individual and social behavior regarding the environment? 

3. How is nature turned into a 'resource'?

4. What 'values' play a role in our relationship with nature?

5. How do the authors feel 'uncertainty' influences our relationship with nature?  
 

Video - �The Wilderness Idea� 

1.  What are some great ironies of the realization of Pinchot�s and Muir�s visions for the National Forest and National Park systems?  (In other words, what did they envision versus what actually happens � or happened � in modern times?)

2.  What role did a �natural disaster� play in the development of our  National Park management philosophy?

3.  What is the meaning of the statement made in the film �Battle for Wilderness� that the west wasn�t �wild� until the white man came?

4.  A philosopher named Michael Nelson stated that �ideas matter.�  How does this statement apply to the differences between National Park and National Forest management philosophies?

5.  Who ultimately won the �battle for wilderness?�

Guest lecture: Dr. Darek Nalle: Non-Diversified Communities

    a. Review the "lessons learned"

    b. Identify 'mitigating strategies'

    c. What did he mean by spending $s equals support of an industry?

    d. Explain why he prefers 'non-diversified communities' over the label 'resource dependent communities.'

Guest lecture Dr. Phil Cook: Policy and public involvement

     a. Which three bodies of government are involved in public policy? In what manner are they involved?

    b. Why do we want public involvement?

    c. When did the 'era' of public involvement begin and why?

    d. What is the Federal Register?

    e. What law that Phil discussed requires public involvement? How does it require the involvement?

    f. What institutional legacy did Pinchot leave on American bureaucracy?
 

Guest lecture Dr. Chuck Harris: Stakeholder involvement

    a. What constitutes a "community;" give several traits.

    b. Define and explain the Interactive Community Forum. What were the objectives?

    c. Who were the 'experts' used to identify community impacts and potential mitigation effects?

    d. What were the four dimensions of a community addressed in the Interactive Community Forum?

   e. What were the three alternatives for the dam issue?

    f. What was the legal mandate for public involvement for this social assessment? (one of the three from Phil Cook's presentation)
 

Guest Lecture Dr. Ed Krumpe: Collaboration

    a. Why is hard to make decisions in groups?

    b. How do you involve the right people and who are the 'right people?

    c. Why should we not try to change people's values?

    d. List and be able to explain the Tips and Techniques for successful collaboration.

    e. Explain the process of a 'round robin' of values?
 

Guest Lecture:  Dr. Jay O'Laughlin on the Endangered Species Act (see  www.cnrhome.uidaho.edu/pag for slide show - navigate through "publications" to other selected papers and publications)

a.  What is biodiversity?  How is it defined?

b.  What is the goal of the Endangered Species Act and how does it work?

c.  Distinguish between "endangered" and "threatened."

d.  What was the significance of the spotted owl controversy?

e.  What are the 5 factors involved in listing a species as endangered?

f. What is meant by "jeopardy?"  What is meant by the "taking" of a species?
 

Wilson (1997):  "The Wolf in Yellowstone:  Science, Symbol, or Politics?  Deconstructing the Conflict Between Environmentalism and Wise Use"

a.  Wilson calls wolves "a biopolitical pawn" in a larger conflict between activists is two social movements.  What does he mean by "biopolitical pawn?"

b.  What are the three social issues that drive the debate over wolf reintroduction in the Greater Yellowstone Area?

c.  Describe the contrasting views of the Greater Yellowstone Area by "environmental groups" compared to "wise use" groups.

d.  What were the underlying reasons for the failure of the USFS/NPS attempts at planning for the Greater Yellowstone Area?

e.  What tactics were used by the "wise use" groups to derail the planning process?

f.  According to Wilson, the controversy over reintroduction of the wolf to the Greater Yellowstone Area is no longer about the wolf as a predator.  What does he say the debate is really about?  What rationale does he offer for this conclusion?

g.  Discuss in more detail the three social issues that are at the heart of the disagreement over wolf re-introduction.

h.  Why do you think federal policymakers made the mistake of focusing the reintroduction plan on technical details rather than addressing the sociopolitical issues underlying the public debate?
 

Guest Lecture - Dr. Gary Machlis - Panda Bear Conservation in China - A Case Study of Charismatic Megafauna

a.  How many pandas exist today?

b.  How many cubs does a mother panda bear?  How many does she raise?

c.  What are some historic, current and potential stresses on Panda habitat?

d.  What is the penalty for poaching Pandas in China?

e.  Where are Pandas on the food chain?

f.  How has Gary's colleague enlisted international "help" in ensuring the growth of the panda population in China?

g.  How has Gary's colleague used the international community to effect political protection of the Pandas during the Olympics?
 

Allison LaDuke - Guest Lecture - Reintroduction of Grizzly Bears in the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church Wilderness Areas

a.  What did you learn about grizzly bear biology and ecology that suggest most grizzlies will not present a problem for local ranchers and/or visitors to the area?

b.  What is the status of grizzly bears in Canada?  In the U.S. lower 48?  What does their status imply in terms of management?

c.  How does the grizzly bear current range compare with its historic range in in the lower 48 states?  What were the major factors that contributed to the change?

d.  How many populations of grizzly bears are there currently in the lower 48 states?  How many bears in total are estimated in those populations?  Are they evenly distributed between the populations?

e.  What is meant by the proposal to establish an "experimental area" around the wilderness reintroduction zones?  What does this imply for management of the bears/

f.  What is the proposed rate that bears would be reintroduced to the area?

g.  What has happened to the proposal and what is its current status?
 

Population and Consumption

    a. Define overshoot in terms of human populations.

    b. What are four demographic factors behind population  growth?

    c. Explain what IPAT stands for?

    d. Define an "ecological footprint"?

    e. What are some ways to make consumption more "green"?
 

Guest Lecture - Dr. Steve Hollenhorst - Conservation on Private Lands:  Land Trusts and Conservation Easements
See: Land Trust Alliance Web site - http://www.lta.org/
Surf this site and look for answers to the following questions, which Dr. Hollenhorst will reinforce in the lecture and which will be fodder
for the exam.

a. What is a land trust?

b. What is a conservation easement?  How does it compare to an historical preservation easement?  Agricultural easement?  Scenic easement?

c. Why would a private land owner grant a conservation easement?

d. What kind of property can be protected by an easement?

e. Who can grant an easement?  To whom can they grant it?

f. How restrictive is an easement?

g. How long does an easement last?

h. What are the grantee's responsibilities?

i. Must an easement allow public access?

j. How can donating an easement reduce a property owner's income tax?

k. How can donating an easement reduce a property owner's estate tax?

l. How can donating an easement reduce a property owner's property tax?

m. Can you see any possible problems with conservation easements?

n. What kind of jobs can a CNR graduate get with a land trust?

o.  Identify a job with a land trust that looks interesting to you?  What interests you about it?
 

Ehrlich and Ehrlich 2004.  Chapter 1: The Human Predicament from "One With Nineveh"
1.  What is "the human predicament?"  Relate this idea to your own experience and/or those of others you know.

2.  In what ways do you think this excerpt was useful (or not) as our first reading in a class entitled "Society and Natural Resources?

3.  How are farm subsidies in industrialized nations related to chronic poverty of farmers in developing nations?

4.  How are wealth and power related to what and how much people eat? 

5.  What proportion of the food crops produced worldwide is consumed by the wealthiest 20% of its people?  How do diets differ between the wealthy and the poor?  What group do you and your family belong to?

6.  If fertility rates have dropped, what is the explanation for the world continuing to add 77 million people per year?

7.  What was the green revolution?  When and where did it take place? Why was it important?  Despite its original success, what are some drawbacks to the success of the green revolution and what are some major challenges it engendered?

8.  Why do Ehrlich and Ehrlich claim that some elements of the world's renewable natural capital are becoming "non-renewable?"

9.  One of the major factors in the transformation of Earth's resources is land conversion. What are the driving forces behind land conversion?  In what ways is the conversion damaging ecosystems?  What is being lost? What is being gained?

10.  Water is becoming a scarce resource in many places around the world.  What are some examples of the struggle to supply fresh water to populations around the world?

11. What is meant by point-source and non-point-sources of water pollution? [Back to top]

 

Gill 1996:  "The Wildlife Professional Subculture: The Case of the Crazy Aunt"
1.  Analyze Gill's description of wildlife management philosophy in the mid-1990s and his recommended changes in terms of traditional vs ecosystem management philosophies.

2.  What are the three components that were required to make forestry a real profession in the United States at the turn of the 20th century?  Once established, how did they reinforce each other?  In what ways do each of these three components work to stall the movement toward inclusion of stakeholders in decision-making in wildlife resource management?

3.  What "cures" does Gill offer for each of the three components of the troika supporting the profession?  What is your response to these "cures"?  How well do you think they would work or have worked?
 

Gore, Al 2006:  "An Inconvenient Truth"
1.  What are the major factors that contribute to the earth�s climate?

2.  What is the greenhouse effect and how is it related to the increase in carbon dioxide and other gases and particulates in the atmosphere?

3.  What factors drive variation in climate and trends over time and space?

4.  What evidence do we have that climate change is not uniform around the globe?  Does this mean it is not a real effect?

5.  List some examples of ecological/environmental, social/economic and political effects of climate change. 

6.  What are some long-term implications of climate change in the U.S. and globally?  How is climate change likely to affect your life and the choices you make about where to live and how you make your livelihood?

7.  Was global warming a factor in the number and/or the intensity of recent hurricane activity on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the US?