- Explain the controversy between the two paradigms of river ecology:
the river continuum concept (RCC) and the flood pulse concept (FPC). How can floods be good and bad at the same time?
Are levees good or bad? What is the long-term, sustainable solution to flood management?
- What natural services are provided by streams and rivers?
Why is concrete lining no longer a sensible solution for flood control? What is sustainable river architecture?
- What causes eutrophication? Why is eutrophication generally regarded as bad for the environment?
Under what circumstances can eutrophication be considered to be good?
- Why does the Cucuchucho constructed wetland work so well? What are the advantages and disadvantages of constructed wetlands for
sewage treatment?
- What are the five types of sanitation solutions around the world? Describe each, pointing advantages and disadvantages.
- Why is the Salton Sea there? Should the sea be restored, or not? Why?
What are the four sources of salts entering the sea? Which source is likely to be the largest? Why?
- Why is sodium chloride considered a waste in the functioning of the biosphere?
What is the main use of bulk sodium chloride in industry?
What is the natural purpose of rivers?
- Explain the resource availability (light, water, nutrients) across the climatic spectrum.
Discuss the rationale for the tendency of humans to concentrate on the drier side of the spectrum.
Provide en example.
- Explain why irrigated agriculture can become unsustainable. Give one specific example in California.
Why is the leaching fraction necessary in the irrigation of arid and semiarid lands?
- Describe the issue of
groundwater utilization and sustainability, in hydrologic, hydrogeologic, hydroecologic, and legal terms.
Why is shallow groundwater considered to be in transit through the aquifers?
- What is the Tragedy of the Commons? When does it occur? How can we cope with it?
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