Environmental Science Homework

Choose one option from the attached and answer all questions including presentation, speaker notes and references

There are 4 questions in each option, answer all 4 based on the option you pick

Service Learning Project

Develop a plan for a Service Learning Project in your area. The project should be based on one of the following options and include the role of ecosystem services and the function of species interrelations in ecosystem management as well an assessment of the approaches used to manage and restore forests. Use the planning table provided with your project choice.

Select and complete one of the following assignments:

Option 1: Sustainable Native Plant Species Garden Project

Option 2: Native Pollinator Population Recovery Project

Option 3: Habitat Restoration Project

Option 1: Sustainable Native Plant Species Garden Project

Select an unused area in your neighborhood that can be converted into a sustainable native garden using at least 10 local, indigenous species. Possibilities include abandoned lots, industrial or business parks, roof tops, green spaces in front of government buildings, street medians, parking lot grass patches, church yards, community parks, or local forest preserves.

Complete the following four steps:

1. Find 10 native species by locating your state’s Department of Natural Resources.

2. Complete the Service Planning Table below by listing the key points needed to develop a plan that incorporates the ecological and biological principles of sustainability into your project.

3. Prepare a 700- to 800-word letter to the landowner requesting use of the space for the garden and outline the benefits of a having a native plant species garden within the community. Consider ecosystem services, beautification, and education. The letter should include the points completed from the planning table.

4. Submit both your letter and completed planning table to your instructor.

Service Planning Table

Steps and Resources Needed

Explanation

(Advantages and Disadvantages)

Relation to Sustainable Ecosystems

(When Applicable)

Locate a suitable area in your community

Identify landowner and other interested parties

Points to include in letter

Explain why your local ecosystem(s) would benefit from a native species garden.

Identify 10 native plant species that will grow at the site. Determine whether these species have any special habitat requirements including soil requirements, herbivore protection, other species interrelations, and pollination needs.

Which ecosystem services are provided by your native species garden? How do these services help create a sustainable ecosystem?

Which specific species interrelations are associated with your native species garden? What function do these interrelationships have in large-scale ecosystem management and restorations?

Explain which ecological practices you will use to create your native species garden.

How are these practices similar to methods currently used to manage and restore plant species in forest ecosystems? Do you consider these current methods successful approaches to sustainable management? Explain.

Support your points with at least four references. At least two references should be from scholarly academic journals.

Option 2: Native Pollinator Population Recovery Project

Select a specific, local native pollinator species from one of the following groups: bumblebees, birds, bats, moths, or butterflies.

Determine this species’ ecological and economical roles in your region.

Explain the issues surrounding local and global pollinator decline and create recommendations for a local recovery plan.

Develop specific recommendations for your community based on environmental and ecological principles used to create suitable habitats for pollinators. For example, consider creating nesting sites or boxes in your neighborhood, ample and consistent food supply (such as gardens) over the entire growing season, and reduced chemicals or pesticides in your area. Note that honeybees were imported from Eurasia and are, therefore, not native pollinators.

Complete the following four steps:

1. Find 10 a specific local pollination by searching your state’s Department of Natural Resources.

2. Complete the Service Planning Table to develop a plan that incorporates the principles of sustainability into your project.

3. Prepare a 700- to 800-word call-to-action letter to a local newspaper outlining recommendations. The letter should include the benefits of having healthy pollinator populations for your state or area and the points completed from the planning table. Consider ecosystem services, agriculture, economics, beautification, and education.

4. Submit both your letter and completed panning table to your instructor.

Service Planning Table

Steps and Resources Needed

Explanation

(Advantages and Disadvantages)

Relation to Sustainable Agriculture

(When Applicable)

Select a pollinator species from your area and determine the reasons for its decline.

Points to include in letter

Research the types of requirements for your selected species, such as nesting sites or boxes, ample and consistent food supply over the entire growing season, and reduced chemicals or pesticides in your area.

Which ecosystem services are provided by your pollinator species? How do these services help create a sustainable ecosystem and economy?

Which specific species interrelations are associated with your selected pollinator? What function do these interrelationships have in large-scale ecosystem management and restorations?

Explain which ecological practices you will use to restore your pollinator populations.

How are these ecological principles similar to methods currently used to manage and restore a species in a forest ecosystem? Do you consider these current methods successful approaches to sustainable forest management? Explain.

Include at least four resources for your project. Two resources should be from scholarly academic journals.

Option 3: Habitat Restoration Project

Select a degraded terrestrial habitat and develop a plan to restore that habitat. The plan must include ecological and environmental considerations; such as trash removal, soil amendment, removal of invasive species, and erosion control; and a list of 10 key native species and their interactions. Suitable habitat sites include woodlots, former tree plantations, old field sites that were previously used for agriculture, and nature preserves overrun by invasive species.

Complete the following four steps:

1. Find 10 native species by locating your state’s Department of Natural Resources.

2. Complete the Service Planning Table by listing the key points needed to develop a plan that incorporates the ecological and biological principles of sustainability into your project.

3. Prepare a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation for the local government agency or land-owner responsible for the land that needs to be restored. Include the benefits of a having the restored site within the community and the points completed from the planning document. Consider ecosystem services, economics, beautification, and education. The slide presentation should include appropriate graphics and a detailed notes section with a minimum of 350 to 500 words.

4. Submit both your presentation and completed planning table to your instructor.

Service Planning Table

Steps and Resources Needed

Explanation

(Advantages and Disadvantages)

Relation to Sustainable Ecosystems

(When Applicable)

Locate a suitable degraded habitat within your area.

Identify the landowner or government agency responsible for the land management.

Points to include in letter

Explain why your local ecosystem(s) and economy would benefit from restoring this degraded habitat.

List the major invasive species threatening the ecological sustainability of the site.

Identify 10 native plant species that will grow at the site. Determine whether these species have any special habitat requirements including soil requirements, herbivore protection, other species interrelations, and pollination needs.

Which ecosystem services would be restored on completion of your project? Explain how the function of species interrelations promotes ecosystem sustainability. How do these services help create a sustainable ecosystem and economy?

Explain which ecological practices you will use to restore your degraded habitat.

How are these practices similar to the current forest management and restoration practices used in other areas? Do you consider these current methods successful approaches to sustainable forest management? Explain.

Include at least four resources for your project. Two resources should be from scholarly academic journals.