Environment Science- Critical Thinking Questions

Six Questions: 1-2 paragraphs MAX per answer. 1. Use the second law of thermodynamics to explain why many poor people in less-developed countries live on a mostly vegertarian diet. 2. Explain why microbes are so important. List two beneficial effects and two harmful effects of microbes on your health. Write a brief description of what you think would happen to you if microbes were eliminated from the earth. 3. What changes might take place in the hydrologic cycle if the earh's climate becomes (a) hotter or (b) cooler? In each case, what are two ways in which these changes might affect your life? 4. Why do desets and artic tundra support a much smaller number and variety of animals than do tropical forests? Why do most animals in a tropical rain forest live in its trees? 5. Which biomes are best suited for (a) rasing crops and (b) grazing livestock? Use the three scientific principles of sustainability to come up with three guidelines for growing crops and grazing livestock more sustainably in these biomes. 6. Congratulations! You are in charge of the world. What are the three most important features of your plan for helping to sustain the earth's terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services?